lap1 seoi2笠水

Jyutpinglap1 seoi2

Yalelāp séui

動詞

Definition

To back out, wimp out, or retreat at the last minute due to fear.

colloquialemotionslang

How it's used

Originating from gambling slang, this term describes the act of folding or withdrawing when the pressure becomes too high. It carries a slightly derogatory tone, implying that the person is being cowardly or unreliable by failing to follow through on a commitment. It is frequently used in social contexts when someone backs out of plans at the last minute.

Examples

gin3見dou2到go3個lou5老baan2闆gam3咁wu3惡，nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想lap1笠seoi2水aa4呀？

The boss is so fierce, are you planning to back out?

ming4明ming4明gong2講hou2好zo2咗jat1一cai4齊heoi3去，nei5你zou6做mat1乜dat6突jin4然lap1笠seoi2水？

We agreed to go together, why did you suddenly get cold feet?

Common phrases

dat6突jin4然lap1笠seoi2水

suddenly back out

geng1驚dou3到lap1笠seoi2水

scared into backing out

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal act of putting on a hat, which is also written as 笠 in some contexts. The meaning here is strictly metaphorical and relates to cowardice or backing out of a situation.