tok3 daai6 goek3托大腳托大脚
Jyutpingtok3 daai6 goek3
Yaletok daaih geuk
Definition
To flatter or suck up to someone, especially a boss or someone in a higher position.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the submissive posture associated with sycophancy. It is almost exclusively used to describe someone currying favor with a superior or someone in a position of power. While it shares the same meaning as 擦鞋, it carries a slightly more aggressive and critical tone regarding the person's lack of self-respect.
Examples
He is always sucking up to the boss, it is really disgusting.
Why do you need to flatter him? He is not even your boss.
Related words
Common phrases
to suck up to someone
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with physical actions, as it is strictly a figurative idiom for flattery. Using it in a literal sense about helping someone walk or move will cause confusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
