tong4 ji1 paau3 daan2糖衣炮彈糖衣炮弹

Jyutpingtong4 ji1 paau3 daan2

Yaletòhng yī paau dáan

Definition

Something that seems sweet and attractive on the outside but is harmful or corrupting on the inside.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This idiom is frequently used in professional or political contexts to describe deceptive offers that appear attractive but carry hidden risks. It functions as a warning against being blinded by immediate benefits or flattery. Unlike simple deception, it specifically highlights the contrast between a pleasant exterior and a destructive core.

Examples

keoi5佢bei3畀ge3嘅tim4甜tau2頭zi2只hai6係tong4糖ji1衣paau3炮daan2彈lai2嚟㗎gaa2咋。

The perks he offered are just sugar-coated bullets.

nei5你cin1千kei4祈m4唔hou2好bei2畀keoi4佢di1啲tong4糖ji1衣paau3炮daan2彈aak3呃dou3到aa4呀。

You must not let yourself be deceived by his sugar-coated bullets.

Common phrases

caak3拆cyun1穿tong4糖ji1衣paau3炮daan2彈

to expose a sugar-coated bullet

dai2抵dong2擋tong4糖ji1衣paau3炮daan2彈

to resist sugar-coated bullets

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of candy or food, but it is strictly a metaphorical term for manipulation. It should not be used to describe actual food items that happen to be sweet.