Definition

1. Adjective:
   • In a difficult situation / in a tight spot: Describes a person who is facing hardship, misfortune, or an awkward predicament with limited options.
   • Unfortunate / ill-fated: Refers to someone experiencing bad luck or an adverse turn of events.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thấy hoàn cảnh cơ lỡ của anh ấy, ai cũng thương. (Seeing his difficult situation, everyone felt pity.)
  • Đang cơ lỡ giữa đường thì may mà gặp người quen giúp đỡ. (Being in a tight spot on the road, I was lucky to meet an acquaintance who helped.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "cơ lỡ" often carries a tone of sympathy and is used to describe a temporary state of distress or helplessness.

Variants and Related Words

• Lỡ làng (adj): failed, ruined (often referring to plans or a person's situation).

  • Công việc làm ăn lỡ làng. (The business venture failed.)

• Lỡ bước (v): to make a misstep; to be caught in an unfortunate circumstance.

  • Cô ấy lỡ bước sa ngã. (She made a misstep and went astray.)

Synonyms

• In a predicament: in a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
• In dire straits: in a very difficult or desperate situation.
• Down on one's luck: experiencing a period of misfortune.

Related Idioms

• Cơ nhỡ: a variant with identical meaning, describing a state of being stranded or in need.
  • Trẻ em cơ nhỡ cần được xã hội quan tâm. (Children in need require society's care.)