Definition

1. Verb:
   • To grope: To feel about or search blindly or uncertainly with the hands, typically in darkness or when unable to see.
   • To feel one's way: To proceed cautiously or hesitantly, as if in the dark, either physically or when dealing with an unfamiliar situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trời tối, đường trơn, phải dò dẫm từng bước. (It was dark and the road was slippery; we had to grope our way step by step.)
  • Cô ấy dò dẫm tìm công tắc đèn trong phòng tối. (She groped for the light switch in the dark room.)
  • Là một người mới, anh ấy đang dò dẫm trong công việc. (As a newcomer, he is feeling his way in the job.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metaphorically to describe navigating new, complex, or uncertain circumstances where clear guidance is lacking.
  • Họ dò dẫm tìm giải pháp cho vấn đề chưa có tiền lệ. (They are groping for a solution to the unprecedented problem.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dò xét (v): to probe, to investigate carefully.

  • Cảnh sát dò xét manh mối. (The police probed for clues.)

• Mò mẫm (v): to fumble, to grope around (often used interchangeably with "dò dẫm" but can imply a more random search).

  • Nó mò mẫm trong túi tìm chìa khóa. (He fumbled in his pocket for the key.)

Synonyms

• Grope: To search blindly or uncertainly.
• Feel one's way: To proceed with caution by trial and error.
• Fumble: To use the hands clumsily while doing or searching for something.

Related Idioms

• Đi từng bước dò dẫm: To advance step by step, with great caution.
  • Dự án mới này đòi hỏi chúng tôi phải đi từng bước dò dẫm. (This new project requires us to advance step by step, groping our way.)

1. Grope
   • Trời tối, đường trơn, phải dò dẫm từng bước
     To have to grope one's way on the slippery road in the dark