cố thủ

cố thủ

Quân đội quyết tâm cố thủ tại ngọn đồi chiến lược.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To defend tenaciously; to hold one's ground firmly: "cố thủ" describes the action of defending a position with great determination and refusing to surrender or retreat, often in a military or competitive context.
    • To dig in; to stand one's ground: It implies a stubborn or resolute defense against attack or pressure.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • Quân đội quyết tâm cố thủ tại ngọn đồi chiến lược. (The army is determined to hold their ground at the strategic hill.)
    • Dù bị tấn công dữ dội, họ vẫn cố thủ trong thành. (Despite fierce attacks, they continued to defend tenaciously inside the citadel.)
    • Đội bóng đã cố thủ để bảo vệ tỉ số dẫn trước. (The soccer team dug in to protect their lead.)
Advanced Usage

  • "cố thủ phòng ngự": to stubbornly maintain a defensive posture.

    • Đối thủ chỉ biết cố thủ phòng ngự và không dám tấn công. (The opponent only knew how to stubbornly defend and did not dare to attack.)

  • Used metaphorically to describe stubbornly maintaining an opinion or position in a debate.

    • Anh ấy cố thủ quan điểm của mình dù mọi người đều phản đối. (He clung stubbornly to his viewpoint even though everyone objected.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Thủ (verb): to guard, to defend. This is the root verb meaning "to guard."
  • Cố (verb/adverb): to try hard; stubbornly. This modifies "thủ" to intensify the meaning of determined effort or stubbornness.
  • Phòng thủ (verb/noun): to defend; defense. A more general term for defense.
  • Tử thủ (verb): to defend to the death. A stronger term implying a defense until death.
Synonyms
  • Kiên cường phòng thủ: to defend resiliently.
  • Bám trụ: to cling to a position; to hold on.
  • Không chịu lùi bước: to refuse to retreat.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a single verb, "cố thủ" is typically used on its own and does not combine with prepositions to form distinct phrasal verbs in the same way English verbs do. Its meaning is contained within the compound word itself.

Related Idioms
  • "Cố thủ như ốc nằm co": (to defend stubbornly like a snail curled up in its shell) – Emphasizes a passive, immovable, and stubborn defense.
    • Đội khách cố thủ như ốc nằm co suốt hiệp hai. (The away team defended stubbornly like snails in their shells throughout the second half.)