cắm cổ

Thân thiện

Thấy kỳ thi đã gần, nó cắm cổ vào học ngày đêm.

Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • To be completely engrossed/wrapped up in what one is doing; to do something with intense, single-minded focus, often to the exclusion of one's surroundings. Describes a state of deep immersion in an activity.
   • To run or move forward rapidly without looking back or turning one's head; to flee headlong. Describes a manner of moving urgently or fearfully.

Usage Examples

• Describing intense focus:

  • Nó cắm cổ học bài suốt đêm. (He buried himself in studying all night.)
  • Cô ấy cắm cổ làm việc để kịp deadline. (She was completely wrapped up in her work to meet the deadline.)

• Describing rapid, headlong movement:

  • Nghe tiếng nổ, nó cắm cổ chạy. (Hearing the explosion, he ran off headlong.)
  • Tên trộm cắm cổ lao ra khỏi cửa. (The thief bolted headfirst out the door.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is informal (khẩu ngữ) and conveys a vivid, somewhat exaggerated image of someone with their head down/stuck forward, fully committed to an action.
• It often implies a sense of urgency, necessity, or compulsion behind the focused action or rapid movement.

Variants and Related Words

• Cắm đầu: A very similar adverbial phrase with nearly identical meanings: to be engrossed in work () or to run headlong (). "Cắm cổ" may carry a slightly stronger connotation of not looking around.
• Chúi đầu: To have one's head buried in something (e.g., a book). Focuses more on the physical posture of concentration.

Synonyms

• Tập trung cao độ: To concentrate intensely.
• Chạy mất dép (idiomatic): To run so fast one loses one's slippers; to run like the wind.
• Bỏ chạy: To run away.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Cắm cổ cắm cổ: A reduplicated form for emphasis, intensifying the meaning of being utterly engrossed or fleeing desperately.
  • Nó cắm cổ cắm cổ chạy, không dám ngoái lại. (He ran for his life, not daring to look back.)

Học thuật

khẩu ngữ

1. Completely wrapped up in what one is doing; without turning one's head
   • sợ quá, cắm cổ chạy một mạch
     frightened out of his wits, he ran off without turning his head once
   • cắm cổ chép bài
     to be completely wrapped up in copying one's lesson