Definition

1. Verb:
   • To answer on someone's behalf; to speak in someone's place: The act of responding or replying when another person is unable, unwilling, or it is more appropriate for you to do so. It often implies stepping in to help or support the other person in a conversation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy đỡ lời cho tôi khi tôi không biết trả lời. (He answered for me when I didn't know how to reply.)
  • Xin phép được đỡ lời thay mặt giám đốc để giải thích vấn đề này. (Please allow me to explain this issue on behalf of the director.)
  • Thấy bạn ngượng ngùng, cô ấy vội đỡ lời. (Seeing her friend was embarrassed, she quickly spoke up on her behalf.)

Advanced Usage

• "đỡ lời giúp ai": to help someone by answering for them.
  • Cậu bé nhút nhát, nên mẹ thường phải đỡ lời giúp khi người lạ hỏi chuyện. (The boy is shy, so his mother often has to answer for him when strangers ask questions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đỡ (verb): to support, to hold up, to lessen (e.g., a burden). This is the root verb, with "đỡ lời" being a specific compound meaning to support with words.
• Thay mặt (verb phrase): to represent, to act on behalf of. This is a close synonym but is more formal and broader, not limited to verbal responses.
• Trả lời thay (verb phrase): to answer instead (of someone). A more literal synonym.

Synonyms

• Nói hộ: to speak for someone.
• Trả lời thay: to answer instead.
• Thay mặt (ai) trả lời/phát biểu: to answer/speak on (someone's) behalf.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a compound verb, "đỡ lời" itself functions as a unit. It is not typically separated or used with other particles to form distinct phrasal verbs.

Related Idioms

• "Đỡ đòn": Literally "to block a blow," figuratively means to take the blame or criticism for someone else. This idiom shares the supportive sense of "đỡ" but in a different context.
  • Anh ta luôn đỡ đòn cho đồng đội. (He always takes the blame for his teammates.)

1. Answer in another's stead, answer on another's behalf
   • Tôi xin đỡ lời cụ tôi cảm ơn ông
     I wish to thank you on behalf of my grandfather