Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To line one's pockets/purse full: To amass money, typically through corrupt or dishonest means, for personal enrichment. It implies accumulating wealth to the point of filling one's pockets or purse.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Lão tri huyện từ quan sau khi đã đẫy túi. (That old district chief resigned after having lined his purse full.)
  • Một số quan chức tham nhũng chỉ tìm cách đẫy túi. (Some corrupt officials only seek ways to line their pockets.)
  • Hắn ta làm dự án đó không phải vì cộng đồng mà chỉ để đẫy túi. (He did that project not for the community but only to line his own pockets.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used in a negative, critical context to describe illicit or unethical enrichment, often by those in positions of power or trust.
• It can be used in both past and completed actions (e.g., ) or to describe an ongoing intent or action.

Variants and Related Words

• Tham nhũng (v/n): To be corrupt / corruption. This is the broader concept, while is a vivid, idiomatic way to describe the act of profiting from it.
• Vơ vét (v): To grab, to scoop up (often resources or money). It has a similar connotation of greedy accumulation.
• Bòn rút (v): To pilfer, to embezzle gradually. Suggests a slow, sneaky accumulation of funds.

Synonyms

• Làm giàu bất chính: To become rich dishonestly.
• Trục lợi: To seek/profit illicitly.

Related Idioms

• Đút túi: To put into one's pocket (i.e., to take a bribe or misappropriate funds). This focuses more on the single act of taking, while emphasizes the result of being .
• Bỏ túi riêng: To put into one's own pocket. Similar to .
• Vơ vét cho đầy túi: To grab and scoop until one's pockets are full. A more explicit, descriptive synonym.

1. Line one's pocket (purse) full
   • Lão tri huyện từ quan sau khi đã đẫy túi
     That old district chief resigned after having lined his purse full