Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To compete in wit or intellect: To engage in a contest or rivalry where the primary tools are mental agility, cleverness, and intellectual skill rather than physical prowess.
   • To have a battle of wits: To try to outsmart or outthink an opponent in a playful, strategic, or confrontational manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Hai nhà vô địch cờ vua đang đua trí trên bàn cờ. (The two chess champions are competing in wit on the chessboard.)
  • Trong cuộc họp, họ liên tục đua trí để bảo vệ quan điểm của mình. (In the meeting, they continually battled wits to defend their viewpoints.)
  • Phần thi này là cơ hội để các thí sinh đua trí. (This round is an opportunity for the contestants to have a battle of wits.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a formal or informal intellectual duel, common in games, debates, negotiations, or strategic planning.
• It can describe a lighthearted, playful exchange of clever remarks or a serious, high-stakes intellectual confrontation.

Variants and Related Words

• Đua tranh (v): to compete, to contend (general competition, not specifically intellectual).

  • Các công ty đua tranh trên thị trường. (Companies compete in the market.)

• Thi đấu trí tuệ (v phrase): to compete in an intellectual competition.

  • Chương trình này là một sân chơi thi đấu trí tuệ. (This show is an arena for intellectual competition.)

Synonyms

• To have a battle of wits: To engage in a contest of cleverness.
• To compete intellectually: To vie using mental capacity.
• To match wits: To test one's intelligence against another's.

Related Idioms

• Đua tài: to compete in talent or skill (broader than just intellect).

  • Họp chợ là nơi các nghệ nhân đua tài. (The fair is where artisans showcase and compete their skills.)

• Đấu trí: to duel with intellect; essentially synonymous with "đua trí," emphasizing direct opposition.

  • Hai thám tử đấu trí với tên tội phạm. (The two detectives dueled wits with the criminal.)