tong4 dai2 dak6塘底凸

Jyutpingtong4 dai2 dak6

Yaletòhng dái dahk

Definition

A fair-weather person who only shows up when they are broke or need to borrow money.

colloquialpeopleslang

How it's used

This expression relies on the imagery of a stick resting at the bottom of a pond that only becomes visible when the water dries up. It is a colorful way to describe a fair-weather friend or a moocher who has been absent until they hit rock bottom. Using it implies a sense of frustration or cynicism toward the person's opportunistic behavior.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時m4唔gin3見jan4人，jat1一mou5冇cin2錢zau6就tong4塘dai2底dat6凸。

He is never around, but he pops up whenever he is broke.

nei5你mai1咪lei5理keoi5佢laa1啦，keoi5佢ni1呢di1啲jan4人hai6係tong4塘dai2底dat6凸lai2嚟㗎。

Don't bother with him, he is just that kind of person who only shows up when he needs something.

Common phrases

tong4塘dai2底dat6凸jin6現san1身

to appear only when desperate for help

Common mistake

Because this is a specific colloquial idiom, it is not used as a literal description of objects. Do not use it to describe actual items found in a pond, as it is strictly reserved for describing people's social behavior.