si6 ziu1 caau2 jau4豉椒炒魷豉椒炒鱿

Jyutpingsi6 ziu1 caau2 jau4

Yalesih jīu cháau yàuh

Definition

Fried squid in black bean sauce; also used figuratively to mean getting fired.

fried squid in black bean sauce
slangto get fired; to get the sack

colloquialfoodwork

How it's used

This phrase is a classic example of Cantonese wordplay where a common dish name is repurposed as a slang term for being fired. The imagery relies on the idea of being 'cooked' or 'tossed out' of a job, similar to how squid is stir-fried in a wok. It is widely understood but carries a humorous, slightly informal tone that makes it inappropriate for professional or serious settings.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢seng4成jat6日ci4遲dou3到，git3結gwo2果bei3畀lou5老baan2闆si6豉ziu1椒caau2炒jau4魷。

He was always late for work, so he ended up getting fired by the boss.

nei5你zoi3再gam3咁joeng2樣laan5懶saan2散lok6落heoi3去，siu2小sam1心bei2畀jan4人si6豉ziu1椒caau2炒jau4魷aa4呀。

If you keep being this lazy, watch out for getting the sack.

Common phrases

bei2畀jan4人si6豉ziu1椒caau2炒jau4魷

to get fired by someone

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe the actual dish in a restaurant setting unless you are making a joke. If you are ordering food, simply use 豉椒炒魷魚 to avoid any confusion about your employment status.