Một phơi mười lạnh

Definition

1. Idiom:
   • A brief period of warmth followed by a long period of cold: Literally describes a situation of one day of exposure to warmth/sun followed by ten days of cold. It metaphorically signifies inconsistent effort, where a short burst of activity is followed by a long period of neglect, leading to failure.
   • Spasmodic and unsustainable effort: Criticizes a working or learning method that is irregular, lacking persistence, and therefore ineffective.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Học hành kiểu một phơi mười lạnh thì không bao giờ tiến bộ được. (Studying in a sporadic, on-again-off-again manner will never lead to improvement.)
  • Công việc này đòi hỏi sự kiên trì, một phơi mười lạnh là hỏng việc ngay. (This job requires perseverance; inconsistent effort will ruin it immediately.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is often used in educational or moral contexts to advise against laziness and lack of discipline. It originates from a classical Chinese philosophical text (Mencius) and carries a proverbial tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Nửa nóng nửa lạnh: (Idiom) To be half-hearted, lukewarm.
• Đầu voi đuôi chuột: (Idiom) To start big but end poorly; a strong start followed by a weak finish.

Synonyms

• Inconsistent effort: Lack of steady and continuous work.
• Sporadic: Occurring at irregular intervals.
• Fitful: Active or occurring spasmodically or intermittently.

Related Idioms

• Cả thèm chóng chán: To be easily excited but quickly bored; to have fleeting enthusiasm.
• Ba ngày đánh cá, hai ngày phơi lưới: Literally "Three days fishing, two days drying nets"; to work irregularly and lackadaisically.