bưng mắt bắt chim
Definition
- Idiom:
- To cover one's eyes and try to catch a bird: A figurative expression describing a futile or impossible attempt to hide something that is obvious or an open secret, especially regarding a socially awkward truth like having a mistress or concubine. It conveys the idea that some facts are too evident to be concealed, much like one cannot successfully catch a bird while blindfolded.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Chuyện anh ta có vợ hai, bưng mắt bắt chim thôi, ai cũng biết cả. (His having a second wife is like covering your eyes to catch a bird; everyone knows about it.)
- Cố giấu sự thật ấy cũng chỉ là bưng mắt bắt chim mà thôi. (Trying to hide that truth is merely covering your eyes to catch a bird.)
Advanced Usage
- The idiom is often used in a social or moral context to criticize hypocrisy or the pointless effort of concealing an indiscretion or a widely known fact. It implies that the attempt at deception is both clumsy and doomed to fail.
Variants and Related Words
- Che mắt bắt chim: A less common variant with the same meaning (to cover the eyes and catch a bird).
Synonyms
- Futile deception: A pointless attempt to hide the truth.
- An open secret: Something supposed to be secret but widely known.
- A vain attempt: An effort that is useless or hopeless.
Related Idioms
- Đậy miệng thế gian: (To cover the mouth of the world) – Meaning it's impossible to stop people from talking or to hide public knowledge.
- Muốn giấu chuyện đó thì khác nào đậy miệng thế gian. (Wanting to hide that matter is like trying to cover the mouth of the world.)