Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be certain/sure of success; to secure a sure advantage: This phrase describes a cautious, methodical approach that prioritizes guaranteed results over risky ventures. It emphasizes playing it safe and ensuring a favorable outcome with high probability.
   • To play it safe; to take the sure bet: It conveys the strategy of choosing a path with minimal risk and a high degree of certainty, often implying a conservative or pragmatic mindset.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn chọn chiến lược ăn chắc thay vì mạo hiểm. (He always chooses a sure/safe strategy instead of taking risks.)
  • Trong kinh doanh, đôi khi cần phải ăn chắc từng bước một. (In business, sometimes you need to play it safe/be certain step by step.)
  • Cô ấy đầu tư vào trái phiếu chính phủ để ăn chắc. (She invests in government bonds to secure a sure return.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đánh ăn chắc": A common collocation, especially in military or strategic contexts, meaning "to fight/attack in a way that ensures victory" or "to take a sure-shot approach."
  • Tướng quyết định đánh ăn chắc bằng cách bao vây địch. (The general decided to fight for a sure victory by surrounding the enemy.)
• "Làm ăn chắc": To do something in a sure, reliable manner.
  • Hãy làm ăn chắc, đừng vội vàng. (Please do it in a sure, steady way; don't rush.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chắc chắn (adj/adverb): Sure, certain, definitely. While "chắc chắn" is a more general term for certainty, "ăn chắc" specifically implies a strategy or action taken to that certainty.
• Thận trọng (adj): Cautious, prudent. This is a related concept describing the careful attitude behind the "ăn chắc" approach.

Synonyms

• Chơi an toàn: To play it safe.
• Bảo đảm thắng lợi/chắc thắng: To ensure victory/to be sure of winning.
• Đi đường chắc: To take the sure path.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Ăn chắc mặc bền: A full idiom meaning "to prioritize basic, secure necessities (food and clothing)." It extends the concept of "ăn chắc" to a life philosophy of valuing security and durability over luxury or risk.
  • Ông bà ta có câu "ăn chắc mặc bền" để khuyên con cháu sống thực tế. (Our ancestors have the saying "secure food and durable clothes" to advise descendants to live practically.)
• Ăn chắc, ở chắc: Similar to the above, emphasizing security in both "eating" (livelihood) and "residing" (housing/living situation).

verb

1. to be on sure