Definition

1. Adjective/Adverbial phrase:
   • Flat on one's back: Describes the state or manner of falling or landing with one's back hitting the ground or surface fully, often suddenly and forcefully.

Usage Examples

• Adjective/Adverbial phrase:
  • Anh ta trượt chân ngã bổ chửng trên sàn ướt. (He slipped and fell flat on his back on the wet floor.)
  • Đứa trẻ ngã bổ chửng khi đang chạy đùa. (The child fell flat on its back while running around.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used with verbs meaning "to fall" (e.g., ) to vividly depict the nature of the fall. It emphasizes the completeness of the backward fall.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngã ngửa (v/phrase): to fall backwards. This is a more general term for falling backward, while specifically implies landing flat.
  • Cô ấy giật mình ngã ngửa ra ghế. (She was startled and fell back into the chair.)

Synonyms

• Flat on one's back: The direct equivalent describing the posture.
• To fall backwards heavily: Describes the motion and impact.

Related Idioms

• While itself is descriptive, it can appear in figurative contexts to describe a sudden, complete failure or surprise.
  • Dự án đó thất bại bổ chửng. (That project failed spectacularly / fell flat on its back.)

1. Flat on one's back
   • trượt chân ngã bổ chửng
     to slip and fall flat on one's back