Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Highly skilled or capable: Describes a person who possesses exceptional ability, expertise, or cleverness in a particular field or activity. It implies a level of mastery that is above average.
   • Cunning or shrewd: Can describe someone who is ingeniously clever, especially in navigating complex or tricky situations.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy là một luật sư cao tay. (He is a highly capable lawyer.)
  • Phải cao tay mới giải quyết được vấn đề phức tạp này. (One must be highly skilled to resolve this complex problem.)
  • Đối thủ cao tay đó khiến trận đấu trở nên khó khăn. (That highly capable opponent made the match difficult.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes carry a nuanced, slightly informal connotation of cleverness that borders on cunning or ingeniousness, not just pure technical skill.
  • Hắn ta dùng một chiêu cao tay để giành lợi thế. (He used a shrewd move to gain an advantage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cao thủ (n): A master, an expert (often used in games, sports, or martial arts).
  • Anh ấy là cao thủ cờ vua. (He is a chess master.)
• Lão luyện (adj): Seasoned, experienced, and highly proficient.

Synonyms

• Skilled: Having the ability to do something well.
• Capable: Having the ability or quality necessary to do something.
• Adept: Very skilled or proficient.
• Shrewd: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute, which can imply cunning.

Related Idioms

• Cao tay ấn: This phrase extends the meaning to describe a clever, decisive, and often powerful action or solution.
  • Chỉ một cao tay ấn, ông ấy đã dẹp yên mọi tranh cãi. (With just one masterstroke, he settled all the arguments.)

1. Highly able, highly capable
   • thầy thuốc cao tay
     a highly able physician
   • gặp một địch thủ cao tay
     to face a highly capable opponent