Definition

1. Verb:

   • To choke, to strangle: To squeeze or constrict tightly, especially around the neck, to restrict breathing.
   • To block, to obstruct: To press or squeeze from the side, causing something to become blocked or narrowed.
   • To run over, to crush: (Colloquial) For a vehicle to press down on or crush something or someone.

2. Adjective:

   • Close-fitting, tight: Describing clothing that fits very snugly or tightly against the body.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Nó định chẹt cổ đối thủ. (He intended to choke his opponent.)
  • Đám đông chẹt lối ra vào. (The crowd blocked the entrance.)
  • Chiếc xe tải chẹt qua con mèo. (The truck ran over the cat.)

• Adjective:

  • Cô ấy thích mặc quần chẹt ống. (She likes to wear close-fitting trousers.)

Advanced Usage

• "bắt chẹt": To put pressure on someone, to extort, or to force someone into a difficult position, often for unfair gain.
  • Người bán hàng đó hay bắt chẹt khách. (That seller often pressures customers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bóp chẹt (v): To squeeze tightly; to strangle financially or strategically.
  • Công ty bị đối thủ bóp chẹt thị trường. (The company was squeezed out of the market by its competitor.)

Synonyms

• Choke/Strangle: to constrict the throat.
• Block/Obstruct: to impede passage.
• Crush/Run over: to press and injure with a vehicle.
• Tight/Snug: for clothing.

Related Idioms

• Chẹt họng: Literally "to choke the throat"; figuratively to put someone in a situation where they have no good options or cannot argue.
  • Lập luận ấy chẹt họng đối phương. (That argument left the opponent with no rebuttal.)

verb

1. To choke, to block, to strangle
   • chẹt cổ
     to choke the throat, to strangle
   • chẹt lối đi
     to block the way
2. To run over
   • ô tô chẹt người
     a car ran over a person
   • như bắt chẹt

adj

1. Close-fitting
   • quần chẹt ống
     close-fitting trousers