ming4 fo2 daa2 gip3明火打劫
Jyutpingming4 fo2 daa2 gip3
Yalemìhng fó dá gip
Definition
To commit robbery openly and brazenly; to do bad things flagrantly without fear or care.
colloquialmoneyother
How it's used
Originally referring to armed robbery involving torches or weapons, this term is now almost exclusively used metaphorically to describe exorbitant pricing or unfair business practices. It carries a strong sense of indignation and accusation, suggesting that the person or business is acting with complete disregard for fairness. It is a common hyperbole used when someone feels they are being overcharged for goods or services.
Examples
They are charging so much, it is basically daylight robbery.
Your price is ridiculously expensive, are you trying to rob me?
Related words
Common phrases
simply daylight robbery
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe an actual physical robbery involving weapons, as that would be a serious criminal matter. In a legal or news context, use 搶劫 instead.
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.
