Definition

1. 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.)