Definition

1. Idiom:
   • To cover one's eyes and try to catch a bird: A figurative expression describing a futile or impossible attempt to hide something that is obvious or an open secret, especially regarding a socially awkward truth like having a mistress or concubine. It conveys the idea that some facts are too evident to be concealed, much like one cannot successfully catch a bird while blindfolded.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Chuyện anh ta có vợ hai, bưng mắt bắt chim thôi, ai cũng biết cả. (His having a second wife is like covering your eyes to catch a bird; everyone knows about it.)
  • Cố giấu sự thật ấy cũng chỉ là bưng mắt bắt chim mà thôi. (Trying to hide that truth is merely covering your eyes to catch a bird.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is often used in a social or moral context to criticize hypocrisy or the pointless effort of concealing an indiscretion or a widely known fact. It implies that the attempt at deception is both clumsy and doomed to fail.

Variants and Related Words

• Che mắt bắt chim: A less common variant with the same meaning (to cover the eyes and catch a bird).

Synonyms

• Futile deception: A pointless attempt to hide the truth.
• An open secret: Something supposed to be secret but widely known.
• A vain attempt: An effort that is useless or hopeless.

Related Idioms

• Đậy miệng thế gian: (To cover the mouth of the world) – Meaning it's impossible to stop people from talking or to hide public knowledge.
  • Muốn giấu chuyện đó thì khác nào đậy miệng thế gian. (Wanting to hide that matter is like trying to cover the mouth of the world.)