puk1 dou3仆到

Jyutpingpuk1 dou3

Yalepūk dou

Definition

To fall down, or to get into a difficult situation.

to fall down; to trip and fall
to get into trouble; to find oneself in a difficult situation

colloquialdaily actionsother

How it's used

Beyond the literal meaning of physical falling, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who encounters a major setback or fails spectacularly in a task. It carries a slightly blunt or informal tone, often implying that the person brought the misfortune upon themselves through carelessness or poor judgment.

Examples

keoi5佢haang4行lou6路m4唔tai2睇lou6路，jat1一je5嘢puk1仆dou2到喺hai2地。

He wasn't looking where he was going and fell flat on the ground.

nei5你zoi3再gam3咁joeng6樣lyun2亂lei4嚟，ci4遲zou2早puk1仆dou3到㗎zaa3咋。

If you keep messing around like that, you'll end up in big trouble sooner or later.

Common phrases

puk1仆dou2到jat1一dei6地dou1都hai6係

to fall all over the place

puk1仆dou2到jing3應jat1一jing3應

to fall very hard

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 跌親, which is a more neutral or general way to describe falling. 仆到 often carries a sense of suddenness or a more dramatic impact, and it is rarely used in formal or polite contexts.