hoi1 hau2 gap6 zoek6 lei6開口及著脷开口及着脷
Jyutpinghoi1 hau2 gap6 zoek6 lei6
Yalehōi háu gahp jeuhk leih
Definition
To put one's foot in one's mouth; to constantly say the wrong or inappropriate thing as soon as one speaks.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes someone whose speech is consistently tactless or prone to causing trouble. It implies a lack of social filter where the person accidentally reveals secrets or makes offensive comments the moment they start talking. It is often used to warn others about a person who is socially clumsy or prone to gaffes.
Examples
He always puts his foot in his mouth and offends people.
Be careful when you speak, don't keep saying the wrong things.
Related words
Common phrases
always putting one's foot in one's mouth
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being talkative. It specifically refers to the negative consequence of speaking, where the content of the speech is inappropriate or harmful to the speaker's own interests.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
