jin3 caau4 mok6 soeng6燕巢幕上

Jyutpingjin3 caau4 mok6 soeng6

Yaleyin chàauh mohk seuhng

Definition

To be in an extremely precarious or dangerous situation.

writtendescriptionsother

How it's used

This idiom originates from the imagery of a bird building a nest on a curtain, which is inherently unstable and easily destroyed. It is a formal, literary expression used to describe a state of extreme peril where one's safety or livelihood is hanging by a thread. Because it is a classical idiom, it is rarely used in casual, everyday speech and is more common in written commentary or formal storytelling.

Examples

keoi5佢ji4而gaa1家saang1生ji3意sat1失baai6敗，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係jin3燕caau4巢mok6幕soeng6上aa4呀。

His business has failed now, he is in a truly precarious situation.

nei5你zung6仲m4唔zau2走？ji4而gaa1家cing4情fong3況gam3咁ngai4危gap1急，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係jin3燕caau4巢mok6幕soeng6上。

Are you still not leaving? The situation is so critical, it is like a nest on a curtain.

Common phrases

cing4情fong3況jin3燕caau4巢mok6幕soeng6上

the situation is extremely dangerous

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common daily phrase, but using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. It is best reserved for describing serious, life-altering crises rather than minor inconveniences.