kei4 caa1 jat1 zoek6棋差一着
Jyutpingkei4 caa1 jat1 zoek6
Yalekèih chā yāt jeuhk
Definition
To make a single miscalculation or mistake that ruins the entire plan; a wrong move in chess.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom is frequently applied to high stakes situations like business negotiations, sports, or political strategy where a single error leads to a total failure. It carries a sense of regret or frustration, emphasizing that the overall plan was sound but one specific oversight ruined the outcome. It is often used to analyze why a seemingly strong position suddenly collapsed.
Examples
He miscalculated this time, causing the whole business to lose everything.
Related words
Common phrases
one wrong move leads to the loss of the entire game
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
