cửa Lưu khi khép

Definition

1. Idiom:
   • Being forced into a marriage with the Liu family: A classical Vietnamese idiom originating from Chinese literature, specifically referencing a story where someone is compelled to marry into the Liu family against their will. It metaphorically describes any situation where a person is forced into an unfavorable arrangement, commitment, or alliance, particularly a marriage, due to pressure or circumstance.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy mình như rơi vào cảnh cửa Lưu khi khép, phải lấy người mình không yêu. (She felt as if she was in a situation of being forced into a marriage with the Liu family, having to marry someone she did not love.)
  • Áp lực gia đình khiến anh ấy có cảm giác cửa Lưu khi khép. (Family pressure gave him the feeling of being coerced into an unwanted union.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is primarily used in literary, formal, or rhetorical contexts to evoke a classical sense of tragic or forced destiny. It is not common in everyday casual speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Ép duyên (v): to force a marriage/match.
  • Cha mẹ thời xưa đôi khi ép duyên con cái. (Parents in the old days sometimes forced marriages upon their children.)

Synonyms

• Forced marriage: A marriage conducted without the full consent of one or both parties.
• Coerced union: An alliance or marriage entered into under pressure.

Related Idioms

• Ép dầu ép mỡ, ai nỡ ép duyên: A proverb meaning "One can press oil, press fat, but who has the heart to force a marriage?" It highlights the wrongness of forcing relationships.
  • Ông bà ta có câu "ép dầu ép mỡ, ai nỡ ép duyên". (Our ancestors have the saying, "One can press oil, press fat, but who has the heart to force a marriage?")