Definition

1. Verb (colloquial):
   • To run or rush about in a state of panic, confusion, or disorder, typically in multiple directions at once. It describes chaotic, uncoordinated movement by a person or group, often due to sudden alarm or emergency.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Mọi người hốt hoảng bổ nháo đi tìm đứa bé. (Everyone was seized by panic and ran helter-skelter in various directions to look for the child.)
  • Khi có báo động cháy, cả phòng bổ nháo chạy ra cửa. (When the fire alarm sounded, the whole room scrambled chaotically toward the door.)
  • Đàn gà bổ nháo khi thấy con cáo. (The chickens scattered in a frantic rush when they saw the fox.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often intensified by repetition or used with other verbs of motion to emphasize total disorder.
  • Chạy bổ nháo bổ nhào. (To run in an utter confusion in various directions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bổ nhào (v): To dive or plunge downward. While similar in sound, it is a distinct verb referring to a downward motion, not chaotic running.
• Chạy tán loạn (v): To scatter and run in disorder; a close synonym for the chaotic aspect of "bổ nháo."

Synonyms

• To run helter-skelter: To move in a hurried, disorderly manner.
• To scramble: To move quickly and with urgency, often on hands and feet or in a disorderly fashion.
• To rush about: To move around hastily.
• To stampede: (For a group) to suddenly run away in a mass, often due to fear.

Related Idioms

• While "bổ nháo" itself is a colloquial idiom, it is commonly used within descriptive phrases about panic.
  • Làm cả phòng bổ nháo lên. (To cause the whole room to erupt into chaotic rushing about.)

khẩu ngữ

1. To run helter-skelter in various directions
   • mọi người hốt hoảng bổ nháo đi tìm đứa bé
     everyone was seized by a panic, and ran helter-skelter in various directions to look for the child
   • chạy bổ nháo bổ nhào
     to run in an utter confusion in various directions