Cantonese Idioms

My Cantonese relatives have a quiver full of idioms that are incisive and visceral. Some are even onomatopoeic.

1) Many knives but not one is sharp

Akin to "Jack of all trades but master of none". But a dull knife is a dangerous, unpredictable instrument, since it's hard to control. It's deprecating: You can do a lot. But you could do damage.


2) An 8 beat rhyme, literally:

You cry, You laugh,
Peeing wherever in the street

It's something to say when your kid's throwing a tantrum, all over the place or getting out of control in a hissy fit. I think the sardonic edge is supposed to counter and defuse the anger. The mockery is there so you'd take yourself less seriously. "Don't be ridiculous" just doesn't have the same effect.


3) Stick it on top of your head!

Meaning, I've run out of cupboard space. Wear it yourself!

Tough love, Cantonese.