Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To leave open, to leave unclosed: The primary meaning refers to the act of intentionally not closing something, such as a door, window, or gate.
   • To leave unresolved, to leave undecided: An extended meaning used in abstract contexts, indicating that a matter, question, or issue is intentionally left without a final decision or conclusion.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (leaving physically open):

  • Anh ấy bỏ ngỏ cửa sổ khi ngủ. (He leaves the window open when he sleeps.)
  • Đừng bỏ ngỏ cửa chính như vậy. (Don't leave the main door open like that.)

• Figurative meaning (leaving unresolved):

  • Vấn đề này vẫn còn bỏ ngỏ. (This issue is still left open/unresolved.)
  • Họ quyết định bỏ ngỏ khả năng hợp tác trong tương lai. (They decided to leave open the possibility of future cooperation.)

Advanced Usage

• "bỏ ngỏ câu hỏi": to leave a question open/unanswered.

  • Bài phát biểu của ông ấy bỏ ngỏ nhiều câu hỏi quan trọng. (His speech left many important questions open.)

• "thành phố bỏ ngỏ": an open city (a city declared demilitarized and open to occupation to avoid destruction).

  • Trong chiến tranh, thủ đô đã tuyên bố là một thành phố bỏ ngỏ. (During the war, the capital declared itself an open city.)

Variants and Related Words

• Để ngỏ (verb phrase): A near-synonym meaning "to leave open" or "to leave available". It can often be used interchangeably with "bỏ ngỏ" in many contexts, especially the figurative one.

  • Công ty để ngỏ vị trí quản lý. (The company left the management position open.)

• Mở (verb): to open. This is the simple action of opening, whereas "bỏ ngỏ" emphasizes the state of being left in an open condition.

• Không đóng (verb phrase): not to close. This is a more literal and direct way to express the opposite of closing something.

Synonyms

• Để mở: to leave open.
• Không giải quyết: to not resolve (for the figurative meaning).
• Hoãn quyết định: to postpone a decision.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a verb phrase itself, "bỏ ngỏ" does not combine with other particles to form distinct phrasal verbs. Its meaning is contained within the phrase.

Related Idioms

• "Bỏ ngõ": This is a common misspelling or variant pronunciation of "bỏ ngỏ". They are generally considered to have the same meaning.

1. Leave (a door...) open,leave unclosed
   • Thành phố bỏ ngỏ
     An open (defenceless) city