syun4 tau4 geng1 gwai2, syun4 mei5 geng1 caak6船頭驚鬼，船尾驚賊船头惊鬼，船尾惊贼

Jyutpingsyun4 tau4 geng1 gwai2, syun4 mei5 geng1 caak6

Yalesyùhn tàuh gēng gwai2, syùhn méih gēng chaahk

Definition

Overcautious and indecisive; overly cowardly and hesitant when making decisions.

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This idiom vividly describes someone who is paralyzed by conflicting anxieties, unable to move forward because they anticipate danger in every direction. It is frequently used to criticize leaders or individuals who lack the decisiveness required to handle complex situations. The imagery of being trapped between a ghost at the front and a thief at the back highlights a state of total emotional paralysis.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢m4唔hou2好syun4船tau4頭geng1驚gwai2鬼，syun4船mei5尾geng1驚caak6賊laa1啦。

Don't be so indecisive and overcautious when you work.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日syun4船tau4頭geng1驚gwai2鬼，syun4船mei5尾geng1驚caak6賊，dim2點joeng2樣seng4成daai6大si6事aa4呀？

He is always too fearful and hesitant to make decisions, how can he achieve anything big?

Common phrases

zou6做si6事syun4船tau4頭geng1驚gwai2鬼，syun4船mei5尾geng1驚caak6賊

to be indecisive and overcautious in one's actions

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of a boat or a ghost story, but it is strictly a metaphorical expression for indecisiveness. It should not be used to describe simple caution, but rather excessive, irrational fear that prevents action.