Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • To try desperately / to strive with utmost effort: Describes making an extreme, all-out effort, often disregarding personal risk or cost. It implies a level of determination so intense it is as if one is willing to risk one's life.
   • At the risk of one's life: An older or more literal interpretation, meaning to attempt something even when it poses a grave danger to one's survival.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Nó cố chết học để thi đỗ đại học. (He studied desperately to pass the university entrance exam.)
  • Các bác sĩ đang cố chết cứu bệnh nhân. (The doctors are striving with utmost effort to save the patient.)
  • Người lính cố chết giữ vị trí. (The soldier held his position at all costs.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used hyperbolically in modern, everyday Vietnamese to emphasize extraordinary effort in non-life-threatening situations (e.g., studying, working, playing sports). The literal meaning of mortal danger is usually not present.

Variants and Related Words

• Cố gắng (v): to try, to strive. A standard and common synonym without the extreme connotation.

  • Cô ấy cố gắng hoàn thành bài tập. (She tries to complete her homework.)

• Liều mạng (v): to do something recklessly, risking one's neck.

  • Anh ta liều mạng lái xe vượt ẩu. (He risked his neck driving recklessly to overtake.)

Synonyms

• To try one's hardest
• To strive desperately
• To exert utmost effort
• At all costs

Related Idioms

• Cố đấm ăn xôi: To try hard for a desired reward, often with a connotation of stubbornness or gambling on an outcome.
  • Nó cố đấm ăn xôi đầu tư vào dự án mạo hiểm. (He went all-in trying to profit from the risky project.)