laang5 sau2 zap1 go3 jit3 zin1 deoi1冷手執個熱煎堆冷手执个热煎堆

Jyutpinglaang5 sau2 zap1 go3 jit3 zin1 deoi1

Yalelángh sáu jāp go yit jīn dēui

Definition

(proverb) to acquire an unexpected godsend

colloquialother

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where someone gains an advantage or prize unexpectedly, often when someone else fails to claim it or is absent. It implies that the person did not work for the result and simply happened to be in the right place at the right time. The imagery of a cold hand grabbing a hot snack highlights the sudden and surprising nature of the gain.

Examples

keoi5 ping4 si4 mou5 zou6 gung1 fo3 dim2 zi1 lou5 si1 gam1 jat6 mou5 sau1 zan1 hai6 laang1 sau2 zap1 go3 jit6 zin1 deoi1

佢平時冇做功課，點知老師今日冇收，真係冷手執個熱煎堆。

He didn't do his homework, but the teacher didn't collect it today; he really got lucky.

nei5 gam3 joeng2 dou1 cau1 zung3 daai6 zoeng2 gaan2 zik6 hai6 laang1 sau2 zap1 go3 jit6 zin1 deoi1 aa4

你咁樣都抽中大獎？簡直係冷手執個熱煎堆呀！

You won the grand prize just like that? That's a stroke of pure luck!

Common phrases

zan1 hai6 laang1 sau2 zap1 go3 jit6 zin1 deoi1

真係冷手執個熱煎堆

really got a lucky break

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe something you earned through hard work or careful planning. It is strictly reserved for windfalls that occur by pure coincidence or luck.