Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic, colloquial):
   • To be superior to; to outdo; to surpass: Used to describe a situation where one thing is clearly better, stronger, or more effective than another in a direct comparison or competition. It often implies a decisive difference.
   • To be the deciding factor; to make the difference: Refers to the specific element that determines the superiority or success of one side over another.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai đội này trình độ ngang nhau, nhưng chiến thuật sẽ ăn nhau. (These two teams are of equal level, but the tactics will make the difference.)
  • So sánh hai chiếc điện thoại, chất lượng camera ăn nhau ở độ phân giải. (Comparing the two phones, the camera quality is superior due to the resolution.)
  • Không phải giá cả, mà dịch vụ hậu mãi mới ăn nhau. (It's not the price, but the after-sales service that is the deciding factor.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is informal and commonly used in spoken Vietnamese. It carries a competitive or comparative nuance and is often used in discussions about products, sports, skills, or any head-to-head matchup.
• It can sometimes carry a slightly vulgar connotation due to the literal meaning of the verb "ăn" in this context, making it unsuitable for formal writing.

Variants and Related Words

• Hơn nhau (v): to be better than each other; a more neutral synonym for surpassing.
  • Hai đối thủ hơn nhau từng chút một. (The two rivals are each slightly better than the other.)

Synonyms

• To surpass: To exceed, to go beyond.
• To outdo: To do better than.
• To trump: To beat by being more effective.
• To be the clincher: To be the factor that decides something.

Related Idioms

• Ăn nhau ở cái đầu: Literally "the difference is in the head," meaning intelligence or strategy is the deciding factor.
  • Cùng một công cụ, nhưng ăn nhau ở cái đầu của người sử dụng. (With the same tools, the difference lies in the user's mind.)