sau2 baan2 hai6 juk6, sau2 bui3 jau6 hai6 juk6手板係肉，手背又係肉手板系肉，手背又系肉

Jyutpingsau2 baan2 hai6 juk6, sau2 bui3 jau6 hai6 juk6

Yalesáu báan haih yuk6, sáu bui yauh haih yuhk

Definition

To be caught in a dilemma between two conflicting parties because one has a close relationship with both.

colloquialemotionpeople

How it's used

This idiom highlights the emotional struggle of being forced to choose between two people or groups who are both dear to you. It is frequently used to express helplessness when friends or family members are in conflict. Unlike some idioms that focus on the external situation, this one emphasizes the internal pain of having to take sides against someone you care about.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個caau2吵gaa3架，ngo5我zan1真hai6係sau2手baan2板hai6係juk6肉，sau2手bui3背jau6又hai6係juk6肉。

They are arguing, and I am really caught in the middle.

nei5你giu3叫ngo5我dim2點gaan2揀？sau2手baan2板hai6係juk6肉，sau2手bui3背jau6又hai6係juk6肉aa4呀。

How do you expect me to choose? Both sides are equally important to me.

Common phrases

sau2手baan2板hai6係juk6肉，sau2手bui3背jau6又hai6係juk6肉

to be caught between a rock and a hard place

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe neutral situations where you are simply an intermediary or a bystander. It specifically requires that you have a close, personal, or affectionate bond with both conflicting parties.