chui nhủi
Definition
- Verb:
- To hide oneself; to lurk; to conceal oneself: The primary meaning of "chui nhủi" is to intentionally hide or stay concealed, often in a dense, dark, or confined place like a forest, thicket, or underground space. It implies secretive, furtive, or covert movement and dwelling.
- To live in obscurity or seclusion: It can describe living a hidden, withdrawn, or low-profile life, often to avoid attention or due to difficult circumstances.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Bọn tội phạm chui nhủi trong khu rừng rậm. (The criminals are hiding/lurking in the dense forest.)
- Nó chỉ thích chui nhủi một mình trong phòng. (He just likes to hide away alone in his room.)
- Suốt những năm chiến tranh, họ phải chui nhủi dưới hầm. (Throughout the war years, they had to hide out in underground bunkers.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a connotation of being forced into hiding, living in hardship, or engaging in secretive, potentially illicit activities. It is not typically used for casual hiding in games.
Variants and Related Words
- Chui (v): to crawl into, to duck into, to go into a low or confined space.
- Chui vào hang. (To crawl into a cave.)
- Nhủi (v, less common alone): to burrow, to dive into (often used with "chui" for emphasis).
Synonyms
- To lurk: to lie hidden, especially with a sinister motive.
- To hide out: to stay in a hidden place to avoid discovery.
- To skulk: to move stealthily or hide, often with guilt or fear.
- To conceal oneself: to keep oneself from being seen.
Related Idioms
- Chui nhủi như chuột: To hide/lurk like a rat. This idiom emphasizes living a furtive, secretive, or squalid life in hiding.
- Sau vụ bê bối, ông ta sống chui nhủi như chuột. (After the scandal, he lived hidden away like a rat.)