cành cơi
Definition
Verb: - To act haughtily; to put on airs; to behave disdainfully: "cành cơi" describes the action of pretending to be aloof, proud, or disdainful, often to hide one's true desires or feelings, especially when one actually wants something but pretends not to.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nó muốn ăn lắm, nhưng vẫn cành cơi. (He wants to eat very much, but he still acts haughtily / puts on airs.)
- Đừng có cành cơi nữa, tôi biết cậu thích món quà đó mà. (Stop acting so disdainful; I know you like that gift.)
Advanced Usage
- "cành cơi ra vẻ": to put on a haughty/disdainful air.
- Cô ấy cành cơi ra vẻ không thèm để ý, nhưng thực ra rất tò mò. (She put on a disdainful air of not caring, but in reality, she was very curious.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lên mặt (verb): to put on airs, to act superior. This is a close synonym, though "lên mặt" can be more general, while "cành cơi" often implies a specific act of feigned disinterest.
- Làm bộ làm tịch (idiomatic phrase): to put on an act, to pretend (often with a similar meaning of feigning disinterest or superiority).
Synonyms
- Làm cao: to act high and mighty.
- Ra vẻ ta đây: to put on airs, to act as if one is above others.
- Tỏ vẻ khinh khỉnh: to show a disdainful/snobbish attitude.
Related Idioms
- "Đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm": This proverb about maintaining dignity even in poverty can be contextually related, as "cành cơi" sometimes stems from a desire to appear dignified or not needy, even when one is.
- Anh ta nghèo nhưng luôn cành cơi, đúng là "đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm". (He is poor but always acts haughty, truly "stay clean when hungry, stay fragrant when ragged".)