Definition

1. Verb (slang, vulgar):
   • To play dirty / to act in a bad faith, deceitful manner: The phrase "chơi đểu" describes the act of treating someone unfairly, dishonestly, or with malicious intent, often by breaking an implicit trust or social agreement. It implies a low, mean, or underhanded action.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn ta hứa sẽ giúp nhưng cuối cùng lại chơi đểu. (He promised to help but ended up playing dirty.)
  • Đừng chơi đểu với bạn bè như thế. (Don't act so deceitfully with friends like that.)
  • Công ty đó bị tố chơi đểu khách hàng. (That company is accused of screwing over its customers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is considered strong, informal, and vulgar. It conveys a strong sense of betrayal and contempt for the person performing the action. It is often used in confrontational contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Chơi xấu (v): to play nasty, to act meanly. This is a slightly less vulgar synonym.
  • Đối thủ cố tình chơi xấu trên sân. (The opponent intentionally played nasty on the field.)

Synonyms

• To double-cross: to betray someone who trusts you.
• To screw someone over (vulgar): to treat someone unfairly for one's own advantage.
• To pull a dirty trick: to deceive or harm someone through underhanded means.

Related Idioms

• While "chơi đểu" is itself an idiomatic phrase, it is the core expression for this concept. Related sentiments might be expressed by:
  • Lật lọng: to flip-flop, to go back on one's word.

    • Anh ta hay lật lọng, không đáng tin. (He often goes back on his word and is not trustworthy.)