ze3 gwo3 kiu4借過橋借过桥

Jyutpingze3 gwo3 kiu4

Yaleje gwo kìuh

Definition

To use someone or something as a stepping stone or an excuse to achieve a goal.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This idiom carries a slightly negative connotation of being manipulative or opportunistic. It describes the act of using a minor event or a person as a stepping stone to achieve a hidden goal or to escape responsibility. It is most commonly used when someone is caught trying to deflect blame or create a pretext for their own benefit.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日ze3借gwo3過kiu4橋，soeng2想wan2搵zik6藉hau2口m4唔lai4嚟hoi1開wui2會。

He is always using excuses to get out of attending meetings.

nei5你m4唔hou2好ze3借gwo3過kiu4橋aa4呀，ming4明ming4明hai6係nei5你zou6做co3錯zo2咗。

Don't try to use this as an excuse, it was clearly your mistake.

Common phrases

ze3借gwo3過kiu4橋lai4嚟zou6做je5嘢

use an excuse to get things done

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal act of borrowing a bridge, as it is strictly metaphorical. It is also not used for borrowing physical objects, but rather for borrowing a situation or a person's presence to facilitate a secondary motive.