jau5 gei1 ho2 sing4有機可乘有机可乘
Jyutpingjau5 gei1 ho2 sing4
Yaleyáuh gēi hó sìhng
Definition
To find an opportunity to take advantage of, especially to commit a crime or do something bad.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, almost exclusively referring to exploiting a weakness or a lapse in security for personal gain. It is frequently used in contexts involving theft, scams, or manipulative behavior. Unlike general opportunities, this specifically implies that someone has failed to protect themselves or left a gap that is now being targeted.
Examples
He is always looking for where he can take advantage of a situation.
Don't leave so many loopholes for others to take advantage of.
Related words
Common phrases
to let someone find an opportunity to exploit
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general opportunities. Avoid using it for positive or neutral situations like finding a good job or a lucky break, as it is strictly reserved for malicious or opportunistic exploitation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
