Definition

1. Verb:
   • To kick backwards with the hind legs: The primary meaning of "đá hậu" refers specifically to the action of an animal, most commonly a horse or donkey, kicking its hind legs backwards.
   • To launch a surprise attack or criticism: Figuratively, it describes a treacherous or unexpected attack, betrayal, or criticism from someone, often when they are leaving or after a period of cooperation.

Usage Examples

• Verb (literal):

  • Con ngựa đá hậu khi nó bị giật mình. (The horse kicked backwards when it was startled.)
  • Phải cẩn thận kẻo bị con lừa đá hậu. (Be careful or you'll get kicked by the donkey's hind legs.)

• Verb (figurative):

  • Đồng nghiệp đó đã đá hậu anh ta ngay trong cuộc họp. (That colleague launched a surprise criticism against him right in the meeting.)
  • Họ hợp tác xong, hắn liền đá hậu để chiếm hết công lao. (After cooperating, he immediately betrayed [them] to take all the credit.)

Advanced Usage

• The figurative use is common in social, political, or business contexts to describe acts of betrayal, backstabbing, or making a damaging statement as one departs a situation.

Variants and Related Words

• Đá (v): to kick (a general term).

  • Cầu thủ đá quả bóng. (The player kicked the ball.)

• Đá đểu (v, colloquial): to act in a mean, treacherous, or underhanded way.

  • Hắn ta chuyên đá đểu bạn bè. (He specializes in backstabbing his friends.)

Synonyms

• To kick backwards: (literal) to lash out with the hind legs.
• To backstab: (figurative) to betray someone's trust.
• To launch a surprise attack: (figurative) to criticize or act against unexpectedly.

Related Idioms

• "Đâm sau lưng": to stab in the back. This idiom is very close in figurative meaning to "đá hậu".
  • Hành động của anh ta chẳng khác nào đâm sau lưng đồng đội. (His action was no different from stabbing his teammates in the back.)