Definition

1. Verb:
   • To demolish, to shatter, to ruin: To physically destroy or knock down something by kicking or stomping on it, or to figuratively cause the collapse or ruin of a system, institution, or plan.

Usage

• The verb đạp đổ is used to describe a forceful, often deliberate, act of destruction. It can be literal (physical destruction) or metaphorical (overthrowing systems, ruining plans).
• It often implies a sense of aggression, finality, or rebellion against the object being destroyed.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Physical Destruction):
  • Bọn trẻ con vô tình đạp đổ lâu đài cát. (The children accidentally demolished the sandcastle.)
  • Cơn bão đã đạp đổ hàng loạt cây cối. (The storm shattered a series of trees.)
• Figurative (Overthrowing/Ruining):
  • Nhân dân đã đạp đổ chế độ phong kiến. (The people overthrew the feudal regime.)
  • Anh ấy đạp đổ mọi kế hoạch của chúng tôi. (He ruined all of our plans.)

Advanced Usage

• "đạp đổ bạo quyền": to overthrow tyranny/despotism.
  • Mục tiêu của cuộc cách mạng là đạp đổ bạo quyền. (The goal of the revolution is to overthrow tyranny.)
• "đạp đổ thành kiến": to shatter/smash prejudices.
  • Cô ấy muốn đạp đổ những thành kiến xã hội cũ. (She wants to shatter old social prejudices.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đạp (verb): to pedal, to kick, to step on. This is the root verb meaning a foot-based action.
• Đổ (verb): to fall, to collapse, to pour. This is the root verb indicating a falling or collapsing result.
• Phá đổ (verb): to demolish, to wreck. A close synonym with a similar meaning of causing collapse.
• Lật đổ (verb): to overthrow, to topple. Specifically used for systems, governments, or authority.

Synonyms

• Phá hủy: to destroy, to wreck.
• Lật đổ: to overthrow, to topple (often for governments).
• Hủy diệt: to annihilate, to obliterate.
• Làm sụp đổ: to cause to collapse.

Related Idioms

• "Không được ăn thì đạp đổ": A Vietnamese proverb literally meaning "If you can't have/eat it, then smash/destroy it." It figuratively describes a spiteful or vengeful attitude of ruining something for others if one cannot benefit from it oneself.
  • Hắn ta có tư tưởng "không được ăn thì đạp đổ". (He has the "sour grapes" / "if I can't have it, no one can" mentality.)

verb

1. to demolish, to shatter, to ruin