Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take someone's turn or opportunity: To speak or act out of turn, interrupting or taking a turn that rightfully belongs to another person, especially in a conversation or game.
   • To take credit or benefit meant for another: To unfairly claim or receive a benefit, recognition, or advantage that was intended for someone else.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng ăn hớt khi người khác đang nói. (Don't interrupt/take someone's turn when others are speaking.)
  • Anh ta ăn hớt cơ hội trình bày của đồng nghiệp. (He took his colleague's opportunity to present.)
  • Trong trò chơi, ăn hớt lượt là không công bằng. (In a game, taking someone else's turn is unfair.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contexts of social or conversational etiquette to criticize someone for being opportunistic or disrespectful of the proper order.
• It can imply a subtle, often ungracious, act of seizing something that was not offered.

Variants and Related Words

• Cướp lời (v): To cut someone off, to interrupt speech more aggressively.
  • Cô ấy hay cướp lời người khác. (She often cuts other people off.)

Synonyms

• To interrupt (out of turn): To break into a conversation or activity.
• To usurp a turn: To take a turn that belongs to another.
• To poach an opportunity: To take an opportunity intended for someone else.

Related Idioms

• Ăn hớt ăn hít: This reduplicative form emphasizes the action of constantly and sneakily taking little advantages or bits meant for others.
  • Thằng bé hay ăn hớt ăn hít phần quà của bạn. (The boy is always sneaking and taking bits of his friend's gifts.)