Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bite without warning (of a dog): To bite suddenly and stealthily, typically without the usual preceding growl or bark.
   • To backbite / to slander covertly: To criticize or attack someone's character maliciously in a secretive or underhanded way.
   • To steal a bite: To take a quick, furtive bite of food, often without permission.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con chó dữ thường hay cắn trộm. (A vicious dog often bites without warning.)
  • Hắn ta thích cắn trộm người khác sau lưng. (He likes to backbite others behind their backs.)
  • Đứa trẻ cắn trộm một miếng bánh trên bàn. (The child stole a bite of cake from the table.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metaphorically to describe any treacherous, covert, or surprise attack, not limited to physical biting or verbal slander.
  • Đối thủ cắn trộm bằng một đòn tấn công bất ngờ. (The opponent struck stealthily with a surprise attack.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cắn (v): to bite.
• Nói xấu (v): to speak ill of, a more general term for backbiting.
• Ám chỉ (v): to insinuate, a related concept of indirect criticism.

Synonyms

• Bite stealthily
• Backstab (figuratively)
• Sneak a bite

Related Idioms

• Cắn trộm không sủa: Literally "bites without barking," emphasizing the treacherous, silent nature of the action.
  • Kẻ đó nguy hiểm, kiểu cắn trộm không sủa. (That person is dangerous, the type who bites without barking.)

1. Bite without barking (said of a dog)
2. Steal a bite, backbite