jyu5 fu2 mau4 pei4與虎謀皮与虎谋皮

Jyutpingjyu5 fu2 mau4 pei4

Yaleyúh fú màuh pèih

Definition

To ask a wrongdoer to act against their own interests; to make an unrealistic request that courts disaster.

writtenother

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where one expects a person to act against their own self interest, usually involving someone who is greedy or dangerous. It is often used in workplace contexts when discussing negotiations with management or people who hold all the power. Unlike simple expressions for being unrealistic, this carries a strong warning that the action will likely lead to personal harm or loss.

Examples

wan2搵keoi5佢bong1幫sau2手gaam2減jan4人gung1工，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係jyu5與fu2虎mau4謀pei4皮。

Asking him to help cut wages is truly like asking a tiger for its skin.

nei5你giu3叫lou5老baan2闆gaa1加jan4人gung1工，m4唔hai6係jyu5與fu2虎mau4謀pei4皮me1咩？

Aren't you asking for the impossible by telling the boss to give you a raise?

Common phrases

gaan2簡zik6直hai6係jyu5與fu2虎mau4謀pei4皮

simply like asking a tiger for its skin

Common mistake

Learners often use this to mean any difficult task, but it specifically requires a power imbalance where the other party is expected to sacrifice something they value. It is not appropriate for describing a task that is merely physically or mentally challenging.