kei4 maa5 zaau2 maa5騎馬找馬骑马找马

Jyutpingkei4 maa5 zaau2 maa5

Yalekèih máh jáau máh

Definition

To look for a better option while holding onto a current one, or to search for something you already have.

to hold onto one job while seeking a better one
to look for something elsewhere despite already having it in one's possession

colloquialworkpeople

How it's used

This idiom captures the pragmatic, often restless nature of Hong Kong career culture where stability is rarely the final goal. While it originally referred to job hunting, it now frequently describes anyone who keeps their options open by maintaining a current situation while scouting for a superior alternative. It carries a slightly cynical nuance, implying that the person is never truly satisfied with what they currently possess.

Common phrases

ke4騎ngau4牛wan2搵maa5馬

to look for a better option while settling for a lesser one

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simply being greedy, but the idiom specifically highlights the act of maintaining a safety net while searching for an upgrade. It is not used for people who have nothing and are looking; it requires the subject to already be in possession of the object or position they are trying to replace.