laai1 geoi3拉鋸拉锯
Definition
To engage in a seesaw struggle, where neither side makes significant progress and both sides repeatedly gain and lose ground.
How it's used
Originally referring to the physical act of two people sawing a log back and forth, this term is now almost exclusively used for abstract situations like negotiations, sports matches, or political debates. It captures the specific frustration of a stalemate where neither side can gain a decisive advantage. It is particularly common in news reports regarding market fluctuations or intense contract talks.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal act of using a saw, which is normally described with the verb 鋸. Using it to describe a simple disagreement is slightly hyperbolic; it implies a prolonged, repetitive, and exhausting process.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
