Thành hạ yêu minh
Definition
Idiom: - To sue for peace under the city walls: This idiom describes a situation where a besieged army, unable to withstand the enemy's assault, is forced to surrender and swear a humiliating oath of peace at the foot of the city walls. It signifies a complete military defeat and a desperate, submissive plea for a truce.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Sau trận thảm bại, họ đành phải thành hạ yêu minh. (After the disastrous battle, they were forced to sue for peace under the city walls.)
- Câu chuyện kể về một vị tướng kiên quyết không bao giờ chịu thành hạ yêu minh. (The story is about a general who was determined never to sue for peace under the city walls.)
Advanced Usage
- This idiom is primarily used in historical or literary contexts to depict scenes of ancient warfare and absolute capitulation. It carries a strong connotation of shame and helplessness for the defeated side.
Word Origin and Structure
- Literal Breakdown: The idiom is a four-character compound (tứ tự thành ngữ) from classical Chinese literature, adopted into Vietnamese.
- Thành (城): city wall.
- Hạ (下): under, beneath.
- Yêu (要): to demand, to ask for.
- Minh (盟): oath, alliance.
- Literal Translation: "to demand an oath under the city wall."
Synonyms
- To capitulate unconditionally: to surrender without any terms or conditions.
- To raise the white flag: to show you accept defeat and wish to stop fighting.
- To beg for mercy: to ask for kindness from someone who has defeated you.
Related Idioms and Concepts
- Giảng hòa: to negotiate peace. (This is a more general and neutral term for making peace, without the connotation of abject surrender.)
- Đầu hàng vô điều kiện: to surrender unconditionally. (This is a modern, direct equivalent.)
- The idiom is famously referenced in the epic Vietnamese poem "Truyện Kiều" by Nguyễn Du, cementing its place in the literary lexicon.