Definition

1. Verb (figurative):
   • To retreat in defeat or humiliation: To leave a situation with one's tail between one's legs, typically after being proven wrong, defeated, or embarrassed. It describes a sudden, abashed withdrawal.
   • To back down meekly: To cease arguing or resisting and withdraw submissively, often after a boast or challenge has failed.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau khi bị phản bác gay gắt, hắn cụp đuôi bỏ đi. (After being sharply rebutted, he slunk away with his tail between his legs.)
  • Đội đối thủ đã cụp đuôi rút lui sau trận thua đậm. (The opposing team tucked tail and retreated after the heavy defeat.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost exclusively used in a figurative and derogatory sense to describe the manner of someone's departure, emphasizing their shame, loss of face, or defeat.

Variants and Related Words

• Cúp đuôi: This is a common variant spelling and has the identical meaning and usage as "cụp đuôi."

Synonyms

• To slink away: To move away quietly and stealthily due to fear or shame.
• To beat a hasty retreat: To withdraw quickly, especially from a difficult or embarrassing situation.
• To back down: To cease one's opposition or argument.

Related Idioms

• Chuồn mất dép: (To run off so fast one loses a sandal) - to flee in a great hurry, often from trouble or embarrassment. This shares the connotation of a hasty, undignified exit but is more focused on speed than shame.
• Xách dép chạy: (To grab one's sandals and run) - similar to the above, meaning to run away quickly.