zaa1 zyu6 gai1 mou4 dong1 ling6 zin3揸住雞毛當令箭揸住鸡毛当令箭
Jyutpingzaa1 zyu6 gai1 mou4 dong1 ling6 zin3
Yalejā jyuh gāi mòuh dōng lihng jin
Definition
To use minor or false authority to boss people around; to treat a chicken feather as an order-issuing arrow.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the frustration of dealing with someone who abuses minor authority. It paints a picture of someone holding a chicken feather as if it were a formal military command arrow, highlighting the absurdity of their self-importance. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone's behavior rather than to describe a formal situation.
Examples
He is just a low-level clerk, acting like he has real authority, it is so annoying.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who actually has power but is being strict. It specifically applies to people who lack real authority but act as if they are in command.
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.
