tit3 gwaai2 lei5 daa2 zuk1 kau4鐵拐李打足球铁拐李打足球
Jyutpingtit3 gwaai2 lei5 daa2 zuk1 kau4
Yaletit gwáai léih dá jūk kàuh
Definition
To handle something entirely on one's own; to do something all by oneself.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom relies on the imagery of the legendary figure 鐵拐李, who has only one functional leg, attempting to play a sport that requires two legs for balance and movement. It carries a slightly humorous or self-deprecating tone, highlighting the difficulty and isolation of performing a task without any assistance. It is often used to emphasize that someone is taking on a heavy workload alone.
Examples
He handled this business deal all by himself.
Do you need help, or do you want to do it all by yourself?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with standard idioms about independence, as this specific phrase is quite niche and relies on familiarity with the character 鐵拐李. It is not a formal expression and should be avoided in professional or written contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
