Definition

1. Verb:
   • To stand something upright; to set something on its end: The literal meaning, describing the physical action of making an object stand vertically, often with its base upward or in an unnatural vertical position.
   • To fabricate, to concoct (a story, accusation) maliciously; to slander: A figurative and common meaning, referring to the act of inventing false information or twisting facts with the intent to defame, accuse, or harm someone's reputation.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Literal):
  • Anh ấy dựng ngược chiếc thuyền lên để sửa chữa. (He stood the boat upright to repair it.)
  • Đừng dựng ngược cái chai, nó sẽ đổ. (Don't stand the bottle on its end, it will fall.)
• Verb (Figurative):
  • Hắn ta bịa chuyện, dựng ngược sự việc để vu khống tôi. (He fabricated stories, twisted the facts to slander me.)
  • Những lời buộc tội đó hoàn toàn là dựng ngược. (Those accusations are completely fabricated.)

Advanced Usage

• This word carries a strong negative connotation when used figuratively. It implies not just lying, but constructing a deliberate, malicious falsehood.
• It is often used in legal, journalistic, or serious personal contexts to describe defamation or false accusations.

Variants and Related Words

• Dựng (verb): To erect, to set up, to build. This is the root verb.
• Ngược (adjective/adverb): Reverse, opposite, contrary, upside down.
• Vu khống (verb): To slander, to libel. A close synonym for the figurative meaning.
• Bịa đặt (verb): To fabricate, to invent (lies). A close synonym for the figurative meaning.
• Xuyên tạc (verb): To distort, to misrepresent. Related in meaning, focusing on twisting existing facts rather than complete fabrication.

Synonyms

• Bịa chuyện: To make up stories.
• Bịa đặt: To fabricate.
• Vu cáo / Vu khống: To falsely accuse / to slander.
• Chụp mũ (idiomatic): To falsely label or accuse (literally "to put a hat on someone").

Related Phrases

• Dựng chuyện: To fabricate a story. A very common phrase with the same figurative meaning.
  • Đó chỉ là chuyện dựng lên. (That's just a fabricated story.)

Related Idioms

• Vạch mặt chỉ tên: To point out and name (someone's wrongdoing); to expose.
  • Báo chí đã vạch mặt chỉ tên kẻ dựng ngược sự thật. (The press exposed the person who twisted the truth.)