Tào Tháo phụ ân nhân

Definition
  1. Proper Noun (Idiomatic Phrase):
    • Cao Cao repays kindness with betrayal: A Vietnamese idiom derived from Chinese historical lore, specifically the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It refers to the treacherous act of harming or killing a benefactor who has shown one great kindness, out of suspicion, ingratitude, or ruthless pragmatism. It symbolizes ultimate betrayal and ingratitude.
Usage Examples
  • Proper Noun (Idiomatic Phrase):
    • Hắn giúp nó thoát nạn, nào ngờ nó lại làm kiểu "Tào Tháo phụ ân nhân", quay sang hãm hại hắn. (He helped him escape disaster; who would have thought he would pull a "Cao Cao repays kindness with betrayal," turning around to harm him.)
    • Đừng bao giờ tin hắn, hắn là loại người "Tào Tháo phụ ân nhân". (Never trust him; he is the "Cao Cao repays kindness with betrayal" type of person.)
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase is used as a complete metaphorical statement to describe a person's character or a specific act of betrayal. It is often placed in quotation marks or used with verbs like (to be), (style of), (to act).
    • Hành động của nó chính là một vở kịch "Tào Tháo phụ ân nhân". (His action is precisely a drama of "Cao Cao repays kindness with betrayal.")
Variants and Related Words
  • Phản ân bội nghĩa (idiom): to betray kindness and be ungrateful.
    • Kẻ phản ân bội nghĩa không có chỗ đứng trong xã hội. (Those who betray kindness have no place in society.)
  • Ăn cháo đá bát (idiom): to bite the hand that feeds you (lit.: to eat the porridge and kick the bowl).
    • Cô ta được giúp đỡ rồi lại nói xấu ân nhân, đúng là ăn cháo đá bát. (She was helped and then spoke ill of her benefactor; that's truly biting the hand that feeds you.)
Synonyms
  • Betrayal: the act of betraying a trust.
  • Ingratitude: a lack of thankfulness or appreciation.
  • Treachery: violation of allegiance or trust.
Related Idioms
  • Qua cầu rút ván (lit.: to cross the bridge and remove the planks): to abandon or betray someone after achieving one's goal through their help.
    • Hắn ta là kẻ qua cầu rút ván, đừng nhờ vả nữa. (He is someone who removes the planks after crossing the bridge; don't ask for his help anymore.)
  • Vong ân bội nghĩa (idiom): to forget kindness and betray righteousness.
    • Kẻ vong ân bội nghĩa ấy cuối cùng cũng bị trừng phạt. (That ungrateful betrayer was finally punished.)