tai3 dou1 mun4 mei4剃刀門楣剃刀门楣
Jyutpingtai3 dou1 mun4 mei4
Yaletai dōu mùhn mèih
Definition
An allegorical saying describing a highly exploitative business that squeezes every penny from customers.
colloquialmoneypeople
How it's used
This idiom relies on the imagery of a razor constantly shaving a door lintel until it wears away, symbolizing a business that extracts profit from both incoming and outgoing transactions. It carries a strong negative connotation of greed and heartless exploitation. While historically rooted in the financial chaos of the late 1940s, it is still understood today as a colorful way to describe someone or a business that is excessively stingy or predatory.
Examples
That shop is such a rip-off, they charge so much even for small items.
Don't be so exploitative, we are all neighbors here.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
