Definition

Verb: - To gain advantage over others by one's wits; to get the better of others by one's wits: This verb describes the act of using intelligence, cunning, or cleverness to secure a benefit or a superior position at the expense of others in a competitive or social situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trong cuộc đàm phán, anh ấy luôn tìm cách ăn người để giành lợi thế. (In the negotiation, he always finds ways to get the better of others to gain an advantage.)
  • Cô ta rất khôn ngoan và biết ăn người trong mọi giao dịch. (She is very shrewd and knows how to gain advantage over others in every transaction.)

Advanced Usage

• "ăn người" in a strategic context: Often implies a calculated, clever move rather than brute force.
  • Không cần dùng vũ lực, chỉ cần dùng trí thông minh để ăn người là đủ. (No need to use force; just use intelligence to outwit others is enough.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn gian (verb): To cheat, to act dishonestly to gain an advantage. (Note: While both imply gaining an advantage, has a stronger connotation of deceit and breaking rules, whereas emphasizes cleverness and wit, though the line can be blurry.)
• Hơn người (adjective/phrase): To be better than others, to excel. This describes a state of superiority but not necessarily the of gaining it through wits.

Synonyms

• Outsmart: To defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being cleverer.
• Outwit: To gain an advantage over someone using intelligence or cunning.
• Get the upper hand: To gain a position of control or advantage.

Related Phrases

• Dùng mưu ăn người: To use a scheme/stratagem to outwit others.
  • Hắn ta nổi tiếng với việc dùng mưu ăn người trong giới kinh doanh. (He is famous for using schemes to outwit others in the business world.)

verb

1. to gain advantage over others by one's wits, to get the better of others by one's wits