lam4 mei5 hoeng1臨尾香临尾香
Jyutpinglam4 mei5 hoeng1
Yalelàhm méih hēung
Definition
To fail or mess up at the very last moment; to fall at the last hurdle.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This phrase is used specifically when someone fails right before reaching a goal, often after a long period of success. It carries a sense of frustration or irony because the failure happens when victory seemed certain. It is strictly colloquial and often used in contexts like games, exams, or projects.
Examples
I was winning, but I failed at the very last moment.
Be careful, don't mess it up at the last second.
Related words
Common phrases
failed at the last moment
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 衰收尾, which is a broader term for ending something poorly or having a bad reputation at the end of one's life. 臨尾香 specifically highlights the sudden, unexpected failure right before the finish line.
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.
