laai2 haai4 dai2賴鞋底赖鞋底

Jyutpinglaai2 haai4 dai2

Yaleláai hàaih dái

Definition

To suck up to someone, especially when the attempt backfires or is done to the wrong person.

colloquialpeopleslang

How it's used

This expression vividly describes the act of groveling or sycophancy, literally evoking the image of licking the sole of someone's shoe. It carries a strong sense of contempt and is used to mock someone who humbles themselves excessively for personal gain. The term is particularly biting because it implies that the effort is not only pathetic but also completely ineffective.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日laai2賴haai4鞋dai2底，git3結gwo2果bei2畀jan4人siu3笑sei2死。

He is always sucking up to people, and ends up being laughed at.

nei5你m4唔hou2好zoi3再laai2賴haai4鞋dai2底laa1啦，jan4人dei6哋gan1根bun2本m4唔leng5領cing4情。

Stop trying to suck up to them, they don't appreciate it at all.

Common phrases

laai2賴haai4鞋dai2底soeng5上wai2位

to climb the social or professional ladder by sucking up to others

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 擦鞋, which is the standard, more common way to say someone is a bootlicker or flatterer. 賴鞋底 is much more derogatory and implies a level of desperation or failure that 擦鞋 does not necessarily convey.