soek3 gam1鑠金铄金

Jyutpingsoek3 gam1

Yaleseuk gām

Definition

To melt metal, often used metaphorically to describe the powerful, destructive force of public opinion.

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How it's used

This idiom is almost exclusively used in the four character structure 眾口鑠金. It functions as a warning that repeated, widespread claims can eventually be mistaken for facts even if they are false. It carries a formal or literary weight despite being used in spoken Cantonese to describe social pressure or misinformation.

Examples

，nei5你m4唔hou2好gam3咁jung4容ji6易seon3信jan4人aa4呀。

Public opinion is powerful, don't be so easily misled by others.

keoi5佢dei6哋gam3咁do1多jan4人gong2講，zan1真hai6係㗎。

With so many of them saying it, it really can distort the truth.

Common phrases

public clamor can melt metal

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of melting metal, but it is strictly used metaphorically to describe the power of public opinion. It is not used to describe physical heat or industrial processes.