laa2 sau2 m4 sing4 sai3揦手唔成勢揦手唔成势
Jyutpinglaa2 sau2 m4 sing4 sai3
Yalelá sáu m̀h sìhng sai
Definition
To be caught unprepared and in a state of panic or confusion.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes the feeling of being caught off guard and fumbling through a task because of a lack of preparation. It implies a sense of physical or mental clumsiness, as if one is trying to grab something but cannot find the right grip. It is frequently used when someone is forced to react to an unexpected situation and ends up looking flustered or inefficient.
Examples
I had to attend a meeting suddenly, which left me completely unprepared.
You are so disorganized with your work, how are you going to finish it?
Related words
Common phrases
to be left in a state of disarray
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being busy or having a heavy workload. It specifically refers to the lack of readiness or the chaotic state resulting from an unexpected event, rather than the volume of work itself.
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.
