Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To kick and glance / to strike with the foot and give a sidelong look: A compound action describing physically kicking something or someone while simultaneously casting a sly, suggestive, or meaningful sidelong glance. It implies a coordinated, often covert or provocative, action combining a physical kick with a communicative look.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cậu bé đá liếc quả bóng về phía cô gái. (The boy kicked the ball and glanced slyly toward the girl.)
  • Trong lúc ồn ào, hắn đá liếc đồng bọn ra hiệu. (Amid the noise, he kicked [something] and glanced at his accomplice to signal.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is highly contextual and often used in narratives to describe a furtive or non-verbal cue combined with a physical action. The "kick" may be subtle or disguised, and the "glance" is typically quick and meaningful.

Variants and Related Words

• Liếc mắt (v): to glance, to look sideways.
  • Cô ấy liếc mắt nhìn đồng hồ. (She glanced at the watch.)
• Đá (v): to kick.
  • Không được đá con chó. (You must not kick the dog.)

Synonyms

• To nudge and wink: To give a slight push or signal while winking, implying a shared secret or suggestion (similar in covert communicative intent).
• To signal with a kick and a look: A more literal descriptive synonym.

Related Idioms

• Nói mát / nói xéo: to make an indirect, sarcastic, or cutting remark. While not a physical action, it shares the concept of indirect, suggestive communication often associated with the glance in "đá liếc."
  • Anh ta chỉ quen nói mát chứ không nói thẳng. (He only knows how to make cutting remarks, not speak directly.)