Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To draw for the lead: The action of randomly selecting or determining which player will start a game, round, or match. This is often done by drawing cards, rolling dice, or using another method of chance.
   • To decide who starts: The process of making a random decision to establish the order of play at the beginning of a game.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trước khi chơi bài, chúng tôi thường bắt cái. (Before playing cards, we usually draw for the lead.)
  • Ai sẽ bắt cái cho ván cờ này? (Who will draw for the lead for this chess game?)
  • Họ bắt cái bằng cách tung đồng xu. (They drew for the lead by tossing a coin.)

Advanced Usage

• "bắt cái" in competitive contexts: The term is used in both casual and formal games to ensure a fair and impartial start. The method of "bắt cái" is agreed upon by all players beforehand.
  • Luật chơi quy định phải bắt cái trước mỗi hiệp đấu. (The rules stipulate that players must draw for the lead before each match set.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rút thăm (verb): To draw lots. This is a more general term for deciding something by chance, not exclusively for starting a game.
  • Chúng tôi rút thăm để chia đội. (We drew lots to divide into teams.)
• Chọn người chơi đầu tiên (phrase): To choose the first player. This is a descriptive phrase rather than a specific idiom.

Synonyms

• Quyết định người đi trước: To decide who goes first.
• Chọn thứ tự bằng may rủi: To choose the order by chance.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(This term is a fixed phrase; it does not have separable phrasal verb components.)

Related Idioms

• Được cái đi trước: To get to go first (as a result of drawing the lead). This describes the outcome of "bắt cái".
  • Sau khi bắt cái, anh ấy được cái đi trước. (After drawing for the lead, he got to go first.)

1. Draw for the lead