Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flatter obsequiously, to fawn, to toady: The act of excessively praising or showing exaggerated respect towards someone, especially someone in a position of power or wealth, in order to gain favor or advantage. It implies a servile, insincere, and often self-seeking attitude.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chỉ biết bợ đỡ sếp để được thăng chức. (He only knows how to fawn over the boss to get a promotion.)
  • Tôi ghét thái độ bợ đỡ những người có quyền thế. (I despise the attitude of toadying to powerful people.)
  • Hắn luôn bợ đỡ ông chủ mới. (He is always flattering the new boss obsequiously.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "bợ đỡ" carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of dignity and principle in the person performing the action. It is more critical than the neutral verb "khen" (to praise).
• It often describes a consistent pattern of behavior rather than a single act.

Variants and Related Words

• Nịnh hót / Nịnh nọt (verb): To flatter, to adulate. These are close synonyms, also with a negative sense, but "bợ đỡ" often emphasizes a more servile, lower-status position.
• Xu nịnh (verb): To curry favor, to flatter. A more literary synonym.
• Kẻ bợ đỡ (noun): A flatterer, a sycophant, a toady.
  • Đám đông đó toàn là lũ bợ đỡ. (That crowd is just a bunch of sycophants.)

Synonyms

• Nịnh hót: To flatter.
• Xu nịnh: To fawn upon, to curry favor.
• Luồn cúi: To grovel, to act in a servile manner (can be broader than just verbal flattery).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bợ đỡ, nịnh hót: This is a common paired phrase emphasizing the act of fawning and flattering.
  • Suốt ngày chỉ biết bợ đỡ, nịnh hót cấp trên. (All day long, he only knows how to fawn over and flatter his superiors.)

Related Idioms

• Bợ đỡ, xu nịnh: Similar to the paired phrase above, used to strongly condemn servile behavior.
• Giỏi bợ đỡ: Skilled at flattery/toadying (used sarcastically).
  • Hắn chẳng có tài cán gì, chỉ giỏi bợ đỡ mà thôi. (He has no real talent, he's just skilled at toadying.)