jau5 tau4 wai1 mou5 mei5 zan6有頭威冇尾陣有头威冇尾阵

Jyutpingjau5 tau4 wai1 mou5 mei5 zan6

Yaleyáuh tàuh wāi móuh méih jahn

語句

Definition

To start off with great momentum but fail to sustain it; to start strongly but finish weakly.

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How it's used

This idiom is used to criticize someone who lacks follow-through or stamina. It paints a vivid picture of a grand, loud entrance that fizzles out into silence. It is frequently used in work or academic contexts to describe projects that lose momentum.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢seng4成jat6日jau5有tau4頭wai1威mou5冇mei5尾zan6陣，hou2好naan4難kaau3靠dak1得zyu6住。

He always starts strong but finishes weak, it is hard to rely on him.

nei5你m4唔hou2好jau5有tau4頭wai1威mou5冇mei5尾zan6陣，jat1一ding6定jiu3要gin1堅ci4持lok6落heoi3去aa4呀。

Don't start strong and finish weak, you must persist until the end.

Common phrases

zou6做si6事jau5有tau4頭wai1威mou5冇mei5尾zan6陣

to do things with a strong start but a weak finish

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being lazy. It specifically describes the contrast between a high-energy beginning and a disappointing conclusion, rather than a general lack of effort.