zung6 zeng1 gwo3 mou5 mei5 se4仲精過冇尾蛇仲精过冇尾蛇
Jyutpingzung6 zeng1 gwo3 mou5 mei5 se4
Yalejuhng jēng gwo móuh méih sèh
Definition
Extremely clever, astute, or cunning.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom relies on the folk belief that a snake without a tail is exceptionally agile and difficult to catch because it has no end to grab onto. It is used to describe someone who is extremely cunning, sharp, or street-smart. It is often used to warn others not to underestimate someone who might appear unassuming.
Examples
He is so astute in business, how could anyone possibly trick him?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply intelligent in an academic sense. It specifically refers to social or practical shrewdness, often implying the person is difficult to outmaneuver or deceive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
