Definition

1. Verb:
   • To dig up, to scratch up, to rummage through: The primary meaning of "bươi" is to use claws, hands, or a tool to turn over, dig into, or disturb something (like soil, trash, or a pile) in order to search for something or expose what is underneath. It implies a somewhat messy or disruptive action.
   • To dredge up (old matters): Figuratively, it can mean to bring up old, often unpleasant, stories or issues.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con gà đang bươi đống rác tìm giun. (The chicken is scratching through the garbage pile looking for worms.)
  • Đừng bươi những chuyện buồn trong quá khứ. (Don't dredge up sad stories from the past.)
  • Mèo thích bươi đất trong chậu cây. (Cats like to dig up the soil in flower pots.)

Advanced Usage

• "bươi móc": To dig up and expose (often secrets or faults). This compound emphasizes the investigative and exposing aspect.

  • Báo chí thích bươi móc đời tư của người nổi tiếng. (The press likes to dig up and expose the private lives of celebrities.)

• "bươi việc": To stir up trouble, to meddle in affairs (often causing complication).

  • Anh ta cứ thích bươi việc của người khác. (He always likes to meddle in other people's affairs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bới: This is the more common standard synonym for "bươi". "Bươi" is often considered a regional or dialectal variant of "bới". Their meanings and usage are virtually identical.
  • Bới khoai (to dig up sweet potatoes) / Bươi khoai.
  • Bới chuyện cũ (to bring up old matters) / Bươi chuyện cũ.

Synonyms

• Đào bới: To dig and rummage (a compound verb with similar meaning, often used together).
• Xới: To turn over (soil, food); can be used similarly in some contexts.
• Lục lọi: To rummage through, to search thoroughly (often in bags, drawers).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bươi ra: To dig something out, to uncover.
  • Nó bươi ra một bí mật động trời. (He dug out a shocking secret.)

Related Idioms

• "Bươi lông tìm vết": Literally "to part the feathers to find a blemish". It means to nitpick, to look very hard for faults or mistakes where there are few or none.
  • Sếp anh ấy hay bươi lông tìm vết với nhân viên. (His boss often nitpicks with the employees.)

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