cậy thế
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: - To rely on one's position or standing: To depend on one's powerful status, influence, or advantageous situation to act, often in a presumptuous or overbearing manner towards others.
Usage
This verb describes an action where someone uses their authority, power, or favorable circumstances as a basis for their behavior. It often carries a negative connotation, implying arrogance or bullying. - It is typically used to criticize someone who abuses their power. - The object of reliance is often introduced with prepositions like vào (on).
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hắn ta thường cậy thế vào địa vị của mình để bắt nạt đồng nghiệp. (He often relies on his position to bully his colleagues.)
- Đừng cậy thế mình là con ông chủ mà coi thường mọi người. (Don't rely on the fact that you are the boss's son to look down on everyone.)
- Câu tục ngữ phê phán những kẻ cậy thế, ỷ giàu. (The proverb criticizes those who rely on their power and flaunt their wealth.)
Advanced Usage
- "cậy thế cậy quyền": To rely on one's power and authority (a common collocation emphasizing abuse of official power).
- Quan chức đó bị tố cáo vì tội cậy thế cậy quyền. (That official was accused of the crime of relying on his power and authority.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ỷ thế (verb): A near-synonym meaning to rely on one's power or backing. The nuance is very similar, and they are often used interchangeably or together for emphasis (e.g., cậy thế ỷ thế).
- Lợi dụng thế (verb phrase): To take advantage of one's position.
- Dựa thế (verb): To lean on someone's power/influence.
Synonyms
- To presume on one's position: To take liberties based on one's status.
- To throw one's weight around (idiomatic): To use one's authority in an aggressive, ostentatious way.
Related Idioms
- Cậy thế ỷ giàu: To rely on one's power and flaunt one's wealth. This idiom encapsulates the classic criticism of the arrogant elite.
- Xã hội ngày xưa thường lên án những kẻ cậy thế ỷ giàu. (Old society often condemned those who relied on power and flaunted wealth.)
verb
- To rely on one's position or standing