乘虛而入 [－虚－－]

Jyutping sing4 heoi1 ji4 jap6
Pinyin chéng xū ér rù

Definitions (CC-CEDICT)
  1. to enter by exploiting a weak spot (idiom); to take advantage of a lapse
Definitions (粵典–words.hk)
  1. 語句
    喺​適​當​嘅​時​機​行​動​，​令目​標達​成​嘅​機​會​提高
    to act when someone is unprepared; to break through at a weak point
    • 賊人趁住户主返工，乘虛而入，偷走咗好多貴重物品。
      贼人趁住户主返工，乘虚而入，偷走咗好多贵重物品。
      caak3 jan1 cen3 zyu6 wu6 zyu2 faan1 gung1, sing4 heoi1 ji4 jap6, tau1 zau2 zo2 hou2 do1 gwai3 zung6 mat6 ban2.
      Knowing that the house is empty, the thief broke into it and stole many valuable items.
Definitions (Wiktionary)
  1. phrase, idiomatic
    to enter or invade by exploiting of one's opponent's unpreparedness or weakness; to break through a weak point or advance when one's opponent is off guard
    (syn.) 趁虚而入, 趁虛而入
Definitions (Kaifangcidian)
  1. （沒有對應漢語詞彙）
Examples (粵典–words.hk)
  1. Cantonese
    我哋等佢哋自相残杀，到时乘虚而入。
    我哋等佢哋自相殘殺，到時乘虛而入。
    ngo5 dei6 dang2 keoi5 dei6 zi6 soeng1 caan4 saat3, dou3 si4 sing4 heoi1 ji4 jap6.
    • Let's wait until their internal conflicts and act then.
  2. Cantonese
    乘虚而入
    乘虛而入
    sing4 heoi1 ji4 jap6
    • to take advantage of someone's (temporary) vulnerability to invade
  3. Cantonese
    贼人趁住户主返工，乘虚而入，偷走咗好多贵重物品。
    賊人趁住户主返工，乘虛而入，偷走咗好多貴重物品。
    caak3 jan1 cen3 zyu6 wu6 zyu2 faan1 gung1, sing4 heoi1 ji4 jap6, tau1 zau2 zo2 hou2 do1 gwai3 zung6 mat6 ban2.
    • Knowing that the house is empty, the thief broke into it and stole many valuable items.