Our opponent in this match is a pushover team, but we can't take them lightly.
Tips
usage
Cantonese-origin word that entered Mandarin sports commentary. The figurative sense ('weak team') comes from the idea that fish belly is soft and easily pierced — 鱼腩球队 (yúnǎn qiúduì) is now standard in football and basketball coverage.
memory
腩 (nǎn) = soft belly meat, also seen in 牛腩 (niúnǎn, beef brisket). So 鱼腩 = 'fish brisket' — soft, fatty, easy to bite through.
