Cao Biền dậy non
Definition
- Idiom:
- To act prematurely or hastily, leading to poor results or complete failure: This idiom describes a situation where someone acts too quickly, without sufficient preparation or thought, resulting in an undesirable outcome. It originates from a Vietnamese historical anecdote about Cao Biền.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Chúng ta cần nghĩ cho chín đã, không nên như Cao Biền dậy non. (We need to think it through carefully; we shouldn't act prematurely like Cao Biền.)
- Dự án thất bại vì kế hoạch chưa sẵn sàng, đúng là Cao Biền dậy non. (The project failed because the plan wasn't ready; it was a classic case of acting too hastily.)
Advanced Usage
- This idiom is typically used as a predicate in a sentence to criticize or warn against rash action. It functions similarly to the adjectival phrase "to be premature."
Variants and Related Words
Hấp tấp (adj): hasty, rash.
- Anh ấy quá hấp tấp nên mắc nhiều sai lầm. (He is too hasty, so he makes many mistakes.)
Nôn nóng (adj): impatient, anxious to act.
- Đừng nôn nóng, hãy chờ đợi thời cơ. (Don't be impatient; wait for the right opportunity.)
Synonyms
- To jump the gun: to start doing something too soon, before the proper time.
- To act in haste: to do something quickly without careful thought.
- Premature action: an action taken before the appropriate time.
Related Idioms
Ăn xổi ở thì: to seek only immediate, short-term benefits without long-term planning.
- Làm ăn kiểu ăn xổi ở thì thì không bao giờ giàu bền được. (Doing business with only short-term gains in mind will never lead to lasting wealth.)
Được đằng chân lân đằng đầu: to be greedy and overreach, leading to loss (literally: given an inch, take a yard).
- Hắn ta tham lam, được đằng chân lân đằng đầu, cuối cùng mất hết. (He was greedy, overreached, and ended up losing everything.)