zaam2 goek3 zi2 bei6 saa1 cung4斬腳趾避沙蟲斩脚趾避沙虫
Jyutpingzaam2 goek3 zi2 bei6 saa1 cung4
Yalejám geuk jí beih sā chùngh

Definition

a metaphor for going through excessive and drastic measures unnecessarily in order to avoid a small problem; literally 'cut off one's toes to avoid sandworms'; palliative; something that treats the symptom but not the underlying problem

Tone guide

T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level

More words

鑽空子钻空子
zyun1 hung1 zi2to take advantage of a loophole; to exploit an advantage; to seize the opport...
招牌詩招牌诗
ziu1 paai4 si1a poem recited by a member to show his
專業戶专业户
zyun1 jip6 wu6rural household that specializes in a particular type of product
轉念转念
zyun2 nim6to have second thoughts about sth
照田雞照田鸡
ziu3 tin4 gai1affair exposed (slang)
再臨再临
zoi3 lam4to come again
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Dictionary data from CC-Canto and CC-CEDICT, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.