zan6 goek3 mei6 daa2 hou2陣腳未打好阵脚未打好
Jyutpingzan6 goek3 mei6 daa2 hou2
Yalejahn geuk meih dá hóu
Definition
To be caught off guard; to have not yet established one's footing or position.
colloquialworkdescriptions
How it's used
Originating from martial arts and military strategy, this phrase literally refers to the stability of one's stance before a confrontation. It is now widely used in business and competitive contexts to describe a state of being unprepared or lacking a solid foundation. Using it implies that the person or group is currently vulnerable because they have not yet established a firm footing or organized their resources.
Examples
They were caught off guard and got beaten to the punch.
You haven't even steadied yourself, how can you compete with others?
Related words
Common phrases
to be thrown into complete disarray
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being busy or tired. It specifically refers to a lack of preparation or stability at the very beginning of a project or conflict.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
