Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To turn one's back (on someone): The primary meaning of "day lưng" is the physical act of turning one's back towards a person or thing. It often carries a strong connotation of rejection, dismissal, abandonment, or showing disrespect by refusing to engage or acknowledge someone.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ta đã day lưng với bạn bè cũ. (He turned his back on his old friends.)
  • Cô ấy day lưng lại và bước đi. (She turned her back and walked away.)
  • Không nên day lưng với quá khứ. (One should not turn one's back on the past.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used figuratively to describe an act of emotional or social severance, neglect, or betrayal, rather than just a physical movement.
  • Công ty đã day lưng với những nguyên tắc ban đầu. (The company turned its back on its original principles.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quay lưng (verb phrase): This is a very close synonym, also meaning "to turn one's back," and is often used interchangeably with "day lưng."
  • Họ quay lưng với đồng minh. (They turned their backs on their allies.)

Synonyms

• To turn one's back on: To reject, abandon, or forsake someone or something.
• To abandon: To cease to support or look after someone.
• To reject: To dismiss or refuse to accept.

Related Idioms

• Day lưng lại với nhau: To turn one's backs on each other, implying mutual abandonment or a breakdown in a relationship.
  • Sau cuộc cãi vã, họ day lưng lại với nhau. (After the argument, they turned their backs on each other.)