Definition

Verb: - To move heaven and earth; to bustle about; to run around frantically: This compound verb describes making great, often frantic, efforts and running around to many places in order to arrange something, solve a problem, or obtain something. It implies exertion, persistence, and dealing with difficulties.

Usage Examples

• Verb: (To move heaven and earth by oneself to support one's whole family.) (You have to bustle about just to buy a single ticket.) (I had to run around frantically to get this book.)

Advanced Usage

• The word strongly conveys a sense of struggling against circumstances or bureaucracy. It is often used when the task is arduous and requires personal, persistent effort. (He ran around everywhere to find a job.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chạy (v): to run, to operate. This is the root verb.
• Vạy: This is a rarely used standalone word in modern Vietnamese, but in this compound, it intensifies the meaning of "chạy," adding the sense of moving about in many directions or making multiple attempts.

Synonyms

• To hustle: to work energetically and rapidly.
• To strive: to make great efforts.
• To run around: to be busy doing many things in different places.

Related Idioms

• While "chạy vạy" itself is a set phrase, it is conceptually related to the idiom: Chạy ngược chạy xuôi: to run back and forth; to run around everywhere. (She ran back and forth everywhere to complete the paperwork for her child.)

1. To move heaven and earth
   • một mình chạy vạy nuôi sống cả gia đình
     to move heaven and earth by oneself to support one's whole family