lam4 zan6臨陣临阵
Jyutpinglam4 zan6
Yalelàhm jahn
Definition
On the battlefield, or at a critical juncture just before the start of an event or action.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Focuses on the psychological pressure of a final, decisive moment. It carries a strong sense of betrayal or cowardice when someone abandons a plan or task right when it is about to begin. It is almost exclusively used in negative contexts where someone fails to follow through on a commitment.
Examples
He only said he wouldn't go at the very last minute, it's so infuriating.
Are you trying to back out at the last minute?
Related words
Common phrases
to back out at the last minute
to make a last-minute effort
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with just being late. It specifically implies an act of withdrawal or failure at the moment of truth, rather than a simple delay in timing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
