ngaan5 gou1 sau2 dai1眼高手低

Jyutpingngaan5 gou1 sau2 dai1

Yalengáahn gōu sáu dāi

形容詞

Definition

To have high ambitions or standards but lacking the ability or talent to achieve them.

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

This idiom describes a mismatch between ambition and actual capability or execution. It is frequently used to criticize someone who is overly idealistic or arrogant about their plans while failing to put in the necessary practical effort. It carries a slightly judgmental tone, suggesting that the person needs to be more realistic.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日ngaan5眼gou1高sau2手dai1低，zou6做je5嘢jau6又m4唔goek3腳daap6踏sat6實dei6地。

He is always aiming too high but accomplishing little, and he never works in a down-to-earth way.

nei5你gam3咁joeng2樣ngaan5眼gou1高sau2手dai1低，dim2點joeng2樣ho2可ji5以zou6做dak1得seng4成daai6大si6事aa4呀？

How can you achieve anything great if you aim high but lack the ability to follow through?

Common phrases

ngaan5眼gou1高sau2手dai1低ge3嘅jan4人

a person who aims high but accomplishes little

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for simply being ambitious, but it specifically implies a failure to achieve results due to a lack of practical skill or effort. It is not a compliment for someone with big dreams.