dán mắt
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To glue one's eyes to something / to be glued to something: To stare fixedly and intently at something, often with great concentration or absorption, to the point of not looking away. It implies being completely engrossed in watching something.
- To keep one's eyes fixed on: To watch something or someone continuously and attentively.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Cậu bé dán mắt vào màn hình máy tính cả buổi chiều. (The boy glued his eyes to the computer screen all afternoon.)
- Khán giả dán mắt vào sân khấu, không muốn bỏ lỡ khoảnh khắc nào. (The audience was glued to the stage, not wanting to miss a single moment.)
- Cô ấy dán mắt vào cửa sổ, chờ đợi người đó trở về. (She kept her eyes fixed on the window, waiting for that person to return.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a connotation of excessive or unhealthy fixation, such as when watching TV or using electronic devices for too long.
- Đừng có dán mắt vào điện thoại nữa! (Stop gluing your eyes to your phone!)
Variants and Related Words
- Dán (v): to glue, to stick, to paste. This is the root verb, providing the metaphorical image of eyes being "stuck" to an object.
- Chăm chú nhìn (v): to look attentively. A more formal synonym without the metaphorical intensity.
Synonyms
- To stare fixedly: To look steadily and intently.
- To be riveted to: To be completely focused on something.
- To be absorbed in watching: To be fully engaged in looking at something.
Related Idioms
- Dán tai vào cửa: To press one's ear against the door (to eavesdrop). This uses the same verb "dán" (to glue/stick) for a different sense organ, meaning to listen very intently and secretly.