Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To relax pressure, to relax severity (in treatment or action): To become less harsh, strict, or forceful in one's actions, behavior, or treatment of someone or something.
   • To ease off, to let up: To reduce the intensity, severity, or strictness applied in a situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Giám đốc đã bớt tay với nhân viên sau khi nghe lời giải thích. (The director relaxed his severity with the employee after hearing the explanation.)
  • Cô giáo nên bớt tay một chút, các em học sinh lớp 1 còn rất nhỏ. (The teacher should ease off a bit; the first graders are still very young.)
  • Anh ấy đánh máy quá mạnh, cần phải bớt tay lại nếu không bàn phím sẽ hỏng. (He types too forcefully; he needs to lighten his touch or the keyboard will break.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is often used in contexts involving authority, discipline, physical action, or craftsmanship where the degree of force or strictness is adjustable.
• It implies a conscious decision or need to moderate one's approach for a better outcome.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhẹ tay (verb phrase): To be gentle-handed; to handle lightly or gently.
  • Hãy nhẹ tay khi bế em bé. (Please be gentle when holding the baby.)
• Nương tay (verb phrase): To show leniency; to go easy on someone (often in punishment).
  • Thầy giáo đã nương tay và không phạt học sinh đó. (The teacher showed leniency and did not punish that student.)

Synonyms

• Giảm bớt sự nghiêm khắc: To reduce strictness.
• Dịu đi: To soften, to become milder (in attitude).
• Nới lỏng: To loosen, to relax (control or pressure).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bớt tay lại: A reinforced form emphasizing the action of easing up.
  • Anh lái xe hơi nhanh, bớt tay lại đi! (You're driving a bit fast, ease up on the gas!)

Related Idioms

• Bớt tay bớt chân: To reduce one's meddling or interference; to be less hands-on (often used negatively).
  • Bà ấy nên bớt tay bớt chân trong chuyện của con cái. (She should stop meddling so much in her children's affairs.)

1. To relax pressure, to relax severity (trong hành động đối xử)