lok6 maa5落馬落马
Jyutpinglok6 maa5
Yalelohk máh
Definition
To be sacked or dismissed from an official position; to fall from grace.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Originally a metaphor from historical warfare or equestrian sports, this term is now standard in political and corporate news reporting to describe someone losing a high-ranking position. It implies a sudden or dramatic removal from power rather than a voluntary resignation. While it sounds slightly journalistic, it is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation when discussing office politics or government affairs.
Examples
I heard that bureaucrat was sacked because of a scandal.
He has been in that position for so many years, why was he suddenly sacked?
Related words
Common phrases
to be sacked due to a scandal
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone simply losing a job in a low-level or blue-collar role. It is specifically reserved for people in positions of authority, such as politicians, executives, or high-ranking officials.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
