bóp nát
Definition
- Verb:
- To crush (with one's hand): To apply pressure with the hand or fingers until an object is deformed, broken into pieces, or destroyed.
- To figuratively destroy or annihilate: Used metaphorically to describe defeating or overwhelming something completely, such as an opponent, a plan, or hope.
Usage Examples
- Literal meaning: (The child accidentally crushed the bread.) (He crushed the paper in his hand.)
- Figurative meaning: (Their team crushed the opponent's hope.) (Our plan was completely shattered.)
Advanced Usage
- "bóp nát trong tay": to crush in one's hand, emphasizing the action and the agent. (He took the chalk and crushed it in his hand.)
- Used in news or political commentary to describe a decisive defeat. (The rebel force was crushed after just one battle.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bóp (verb): to squeeze, to press. The root verb without the destructive result. (To squeeze toothpaste.)
- Nghiền nát (verb): to grind/crush into powder. Often implies using a tool or machine, or a more thorough destruction. (The machine crushes the rocks.)
- Đè bẹp (verb): to flatten, to squash. Can be used similarly in both literal and figurative contexts.
Synonyms
- Ép nát: to press until crushed.
- Tiêu diệt: to destroy, to annihilate (stronger, more general, not specific to hand action).
- Đánh bại hoàn toàn: to defeat completely (figurative).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
Note: Vietnamese does not have phrasal verbs in the same grammatical structure as English. This section covers common verb+complement combinations. - Bóp cho nát: to squeeze until crushed (adds emphasis to the process). Cô ấy bóp cho nát quả cà chua. (She squeezed the tomato until it was crushed.)
Related Idioms
- Bóp nát trái tim: to crush (someone's) heart; to cause extreme emotional pain. (His words crushed her heart.)
- Bóp nát giấc mơ: to crush/destroy dreams. (Difficult circumstances crushed his dreams.)