Definition

1. Noun:
   • A habitual saying; a stock phrase; a pet phrase: A word or expression that someone uses very frequently and characteristically, often without much thought. It refers to a verbal habit or a favorite expression that becomes a person's trademark in speech.
   • Common parlance; a common expression: A phrase or term that is widely and routinely used by people in general conversation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • "Cố lên" là cửa miệng của huấn luyện viên. ("Try harder" is the coach's stock phrase.)
  • "Thật là tuyệt vời" đã trở thành cửa miệng của cô ấy. ("That's absolutely wonderful" has become her pet phrase.)
  • Từ "awesome" là cửa miệng của giới trẻ Mỹ. (The word "awesome" is common parlance among American youth.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a neutral or slightly informal tone and is used to describe linguistic habits, whether of an individual or a group.
• It can be used in sociolinguistic contexts to discuss frequently used phrases within a specific community or during a particular time period.

Variants and Related Words

• Thành ngữ cửa miệng (n): A set "mouth idiom"; this emphasizes that the phrase is a fixed, idiomatic expression commonly on people's lips.
  • "Ăn chắc mặc bền" là một thành ngữ cửa miệng. ("Eat securely, wear durably" is a common proverb.)

Synonyms

• Catchphrase: A well-known sentence or phrase, especially one associated with a particular person.
• Pet phrase: A favorite or frequently used phrase.
• Stock expression: A standard, routinely used phrase.
• Byword: A word or expression summarizing a characteristic or idea, often used commonly.

Related Idioms

• Thường hay cửa miệng: To be often on one's lips; to be a habitual thing to say.
  • Lời khen "giỏi quá" thường hay cửa miệng của bố mẹ. (The praise "so good" is often on the lips of parents.)