Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To cut off the retreat: A military tactic of blocking or intercepting an enemy's path of withdrawal or escape, preventing them from fleeing the battlefield or area of engagement.
   • To block the rear / to cover the back: In a broader, often strategic context, it can mean to secure or control the area behind a main force to prevent an attack or interference from that direction.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Quân ta đã chặn hậu, không cho địch rút lui. (Our troops cut off the retreat, preventing the enemy from withdrawing.)
  • Chiến thuật quan trọng là vừa tấn công trực diện vừa phải chặn hậu. (The important tactic is to both attack head-on and cut off the retreat.)
  • Đội đặc nhiệm có nhiệm vụ chặn hậu để bảo vệ lực lượng chính. (The special forces team had the mission of blocking the rear to protect the main force.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in military strategy, historical narratives, and competitive contexts like sports or games (e.g., chess, esports) to describe preventing an opponent's backup or escape route.
• Can be applied metaphorically in business or debate to describe preemptively countering an opponent's potential rebuttal or fallback plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Chặn đường (v): to block the way/path.

  • Công an chặn đường tên tội phạm. (The police blocked the criminal's path.)

• Truy kích (v): to pursue and attack (a retreating enemy).

  • Sau khi địch tháo chạy, quân ta tiến hành truy kích. (After the enemy fled, our troops conducted a pursuit.)

Synonyms

• Cut off: to intercept and isolate.
• Block the retreat: to obstruct the path of withdrawal.
• Cover the rear: to protect or secure the back area.

Related Idioms

• Chặn đầu chặn đuôi: to block both the front and the rear; to completely encircle or trap someone, leaving no way out.
  • Kế hoạch chặn đầu chặn đuôi khiến đối thủ không thể thoát. (The plan to block both front and rear left the opponent with no escape.)

1. To cut off the enemy's retreat