當頭棒喝 [当头－－]

Jyutping dong1 tau4 paang5 hot3
Pinyin dāng tóu bàng hè

Definitions (CC-CANTO)
  1.  give a timely warning; wake up call
Definitions (粵典–words.hk)
  1. 動詞
    令人​忽然​明白​自己​嘅​錯​誤
    to make someone suddenly come to the realization of a mistake they have been making; to give someone a figurative wake-up call
Definitions (Wiktionary)
  1. phrase, figuratively, idiomatic
    stern warning; wake-up call
  2. phrase, idiomatic, of a novice monk
    to receive a blow with a stick or a yell by his master to bring about instant realization or awakening
Definitions (Kaifangcidian)
  1. （沒有對應漢語詞彙）
Examples (粵典–words.hk)
  1. Cantonese
    当头棒喝
    當頭棒喝
    dong1 tau4 paang5 hot3
    • wake-up call