se2 bun2 zuk6 mut6捨本逐末舍本逐末

Jyutpingse2 bun2 zuk6 mut6

Yalesé bún juhk muht

動詞

Definition

To attend to trifles while neglecting essentials; to focus on minor details instead of the big picture.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a strong critical tone, often used to point out that someone is focusing on trivial details while ignoring the core issue. It is frequently employed in professional or formal settings to warn against inefficient decision making. Unlike casual expressions, it implies a lack of strategic thinking or poor prioritization.

Examples

nei5你gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做saang1生ji3意gaan2簡zik6直hai6係se2捨bun2本zuk6逐mut6末。

Doing business like that is simply putting the cart before the horse.

wai6為zo2咗haan1慳siu2少siu2少cin2錢ji4而maai5買lyut6劣zat1質ling4零gin2件，hai6係mai6咪se2捨bun2本zuk6逐mut6末aa4呀？

Is it not putting the cart before the horse to buy low-quality parts just to save a little money?

Common phrases

jyun4完cyun4全hai6係se2捨bun2本zuk6逐mut6末

completely putting the cart before the horse

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple description of being busy, but it specifically requires a contrast between a minor, unimportant action and a major, essential goal. It is not used for general multitasking.