zau2 gaap3 m4 dau2走夾唔抖走夹唔抖
Jyutpingzau2 gaap3 m4 dau2
Yalejáu gaap m̀h dáu
Definition
To flee in a great hurry without stopping to catch one's breath.
colloquialdaily actionsslang
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes a state of extreme panic or urgency where someone escapes a situation so quickly they do not even stop to catch their breath. It is often used to describe someone running away from trouble, an awkward social encounter, or a demanding boss. The phrasing emphasizes the intensity of the flight rather than just the act of leaving.
Examples
Seeing the customer lose his temper, he fled immediately without a breath.
Related words
Common phrases
flee immediately in a panic
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard verb phrase, but it is an idiom that functions as an adverbial description of how someone leaves. It is not used to describe a casual departure or simply walking away.
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.
