Definition

Verb: - To rely on one's position or standing: To depend on one's powerful status, influence, or advantageous situation to act, often in a presumptuous or overbearing manner towards others.

Usage

This verb describes an action where someone uses their authority, power, or favorable circumstances as a basis for their behavior. It often carries a negative connotation, implying arrogance or bullying. - It is typically used to criticize someone who abuses their power. - The object of reliance is often introduced with prepositions like vào (on).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn ta thường cậy thế vào địa vị của mình để bắt nạt đồng nghiệp. (He often relies on his position to bully his colleagues.)
  • Đừng cậy thế mình là con ông chủ mà coi thường mọi người. (Don't rely on the fact that you are the boss's son to look down on everyone.)
  • Câu tục ngữ phê phán những kẻ cậy thế, ỷ giàu. (The proverb criticizes those who rely on their power and flaunt their wealth.)

Advanced Usage

• "cậy thế cậy quyền": To rely on one's power and authority (a common collocation emphasizing abuse of official power).
  • Quan chức đó bị tố cáo vì tội cậy thế cậy quyền. (That official was accused of the crime of relying on his power and authority.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ỷ thế (verb): A near-synonym meaning to rely on one's power or backing. The nuance is very similar, and they are often used interchangeably or together for emphasis (e.g., cậy thế ỷ thế).
• Lợi dụng thế (verb phrase): To take advantage of one's position.
• Dựa thế (verb): To lean on someone's power/influence.

Synonyms

• To presume on one's position: To take liberties based on one's status.
• To throw one's weight around (idiomatic): To use one's authority in an aggressive, ostentatious way.

Related Idioms

• Cậy thế ỷ giàu: To rely on one's power and flaunt one's wealth. This idiom encapsulates the classic criticism of the arrogant elite.
  • Xã hội ngày xưa thường lên án những kẻ cậy thế ỷ giàu. (Old society often condemned those who relied on power and flaunted wealth.)

verb

1. To rely on one's position or standing