sik6 gaap3 gwan3食夾棍食夹棍
Jyutpingsik6 gaap3 gwan3
Yalesihk gaap gwan
Definition
To take a profit from both sides of a deal through trickery, or to suffer an attack from both sides.
- to take a profit from both sides of a deal, often through trickery
- to suffer an attack from both sides
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
Originating from the world of gambling and street hustling, this term describes the act of a middleman secretly skimming profits from both the buyer and the seller. It carries a strong connotation of betrayal and dishonesty, implying that the person is acting against the interests of those who trust them. It is rarely used in formal business contexts and is instead reserved for describing shady or unethical behavior.
Examples
They teamed up to take a cut from both sides and scammed all the company's money.
Don't try to take a secret cut as the middleman, be careful not to get caught.
Related words
Common phrases
to act as a middleman and skim from both sides
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply making a profit or earning a commission. The term specifically implies a hidden, duplicitous act where the person is double-crossing both parties involved in a transaction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
