Definition

1. Verb:
   • To force someone to be silent, to muzzle, to gag: "bóp mồm" means to use physical force or strong pressure to prevent someone from speaking or making a sound. It implies a more forceful and crude action than simply covering the mouth.
   • To suppress speech or opinion: Figuratively, it can mean to forcefully suppress or silence someone's expression, opinion, or complaint.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó định hét lên, nhưng tôi đã phải bóp mồm nó lại. (He was about to scream, but I had to gag him.)
  • Đừng có bóp mồm tôi, tôi có quyền được nói! (Don't you muzzle me; I have the right to speak!)
  • Chính quyền độc tài thường tìm cách bóp mồm báo chí. (Dictatorial regimes often seek to gag the press.)

Advanced Usage

• "bóp mồm bóp miệng": This is a reduplicated form for emphasis, intensifying the meaning of "bóp mồm." It stresses the act of forcefully silencing.
  • Mọi ý kiến phản biện đều bị bóp mồm bóp miệng. (All dissenting opinions are brutally silenced.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bóp miệng (verb): To cover/shut someone's mouth. This is the base form; "bóp mồm" is a stronger, more colloquial variant.
• Bịt miệng (verb): To cover/shut someone's mouth. Similar in meaning but can be less violent.
• Bắt im (verb phrase): To order someone to be quiet.

Synonyms

• Bịt miệng: to cover/shut someone's mouth.
• Bắt câm miệng: to force someone to shut up.
• Bịt tiếng: to silence (often used figuratively for suppressing news).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bóp nghẹt tiếng nói: To strangle/suffocate a voice (figurative). This is a common figurative extension.
  • Họ cố gắng bóp nghẹt tiếng nói của sự thật. (They try to strangle the voice of truth.)

Related Idioms

• Bóp chết trong trứng nước: To nip in the bud (literally: to crush in the egg). While not using "bóp mồm," it shares the concept of suppressing something early and forcefully.
  • Âm mưu đó đã bị bóp chết trong trứng nước. (That plot was nipped in the bud.)

1. (khẩu ngữ) như bóp miệng
   • Bóp mồm bóp miệng như bóp miệng (nhưng mạnh hơn)