Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic, colloquial):
   • To be tricked, deceived, or swindled: To suffer a loss or disadvantage because one has been outsmarted, cheated, or caught in a dishonest scheme.
   • To be beaten or defeated (in a contest or argument): To lose decisively, often in a way that feels unfair or due to the opponent's cunning.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta đầu tư vào dự án lừa đảo và bị ăn kẹ. (He invested in a scam project and got swindled.)
  • Đội của chúng tôi thua với tỉ số 5-0, thật sự là ăn kẹ. (Our team lost 5-0; we really got trounced.)
  • Tôi tin lời hắn và giờ thì ăn kẹ rồi. (I believed his words and now I've been had.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is highly informal and often conveys a sense of frustration, resentment, or resignation after being bested in a dishonest or overly cunning manner. It is not used for honest, straightforward losses.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn ghẹ (v, idiomatic): A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage to .
  • Cẩn thận kẻo bị ăn ghẹ bởi những lời đường mật. (Be careful or you'll be tricked by sweet talk.)

Synonyms

• To be conned: To be deceived by someone's trickery.
• To be had: To be cheated or fooled (informal).
• To be taken for a ride: To be deceived or swindled.
• To be outsmarted: To be defeated by someone cleverer.

Related Idioms

• Ăn quả lừa: To fall for a trick; to be duped. This is a very close synonym, though can imply a more decisive or humiliating defeat.
  • Nó hứa trả gấp đôi tiền, tôi tin và giờ thì ăn quả lừa. (He promised to pay double the money, I believed him, and now I've been duped.)