Dependable friends are indispensable, but choosing people you can count on is tough. Here are two Cantonese slang phrases and 10 English idioms that will remind you to be wise when meeting new people.
1. Double cross
Example: Simon double-crossed his company by sharing its secrets with its competitors.
2. Stab someone in the back
Meaning: to betray someone who trusts you
Example: Be careful around Mary. She acts nice to your face but stabs you in the back when it suits her.
The sad thing about betrayal is that it comes from someone you had trusted. Photo: Shutterstock
3. Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: to do something harmful to someone else in order to gain an advantage for yourself
Example: When people criticise our team, John throws us under the bus to protect his reputation.
4. Viper in one’s bosom / snake in one’s bosom
Meaning: an ungrateful or treacherous friend
Example: I have been helping James with his maths assignments for years, but it turns out that he has been telling our classmates rumours about me. Now, I regret nurturing a viper in my bosom.
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5. Sell someone down the river
Meaning: to betray someone for your own benefit
Example: The politician may say he will help low-income families, but he’ll sell them down the river as soon as a wealthy business owner approaches him.
6. Look before you leap
Meaning: to think carefully before taking action
Example: The professor reminded her students to look before they leap when signing contracts for new jobs.
Watch where you step! Photo: Shutterstock
7. In safe hands
Meaning: being protected or in the care of someone trustworthy
Example: Don’t worry! Your grandparents are in safe hands at the nursing home.
8. Ride out the storm
Meaning: to manage not to be harmed or affected by a difficult situation
Example: The government promised to help its citizens ride out the storm.
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9. As thick as thieves
Meaning: very close or friendly
Example: Thomas and Jenny have been as thick as thieves ever since they met in primary school.
10. Speak the same language
Meaning: to understand someone as a result of shared values or opinions
Example: Even though we grew up in very different cultures, my best friend and I speak the same language – we value kindness and generosity.
Good communication is the cornerstone of any relationship. Photo: Shutterstock
Here are two Cantonese slang phrases ...
1. 賣豬仔 maai6 zyu1 zai2 (mai-joo-jai): “sell piglets”
Meaning: to trick someone. In the past, the phrase referred to human trafficking, when Chinese men were tricked and sent aboard ships to become indentured labourers working for very low wages in places like America and the Caribbean.
In English: to trick; to con; to sell someone out; to throw someone under the bus; to sell someone down the river
Example: The government has warned people to be careful when travelling to Southeast Asia after people reported being scammed and mai-joo-jai.
2. 帶眼識人 daai3 ngaan5 sik1 jan4 (dai-ngahn-sik-yuhn): “bring eyes to know people”
Meaning: to remind people to be careful when getting to know someone new
In English: choose your friends wisely; be wise when making new friends
Example: You need to dai-ngahn-sik-yuhn and choose the right friends.
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