Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fabricate (a story/accusation): To invent or concoct a false story, detail, or accusation, typically with malicious intent to slander or frame someone. This is the primary figurative meaning.
   • To erect vertically; to stand upright: The literal meaning, referring to making something stand in a vertical position or causing something (like hair) to stand on end.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to fabricate):
  • Hắn ta hoàn toàn dựng đứng câu chuyện đó để hại tôi. (He completely fabricated that story to harm me.)
  • Đó là một lời buộc tội được dựng đứng. (That is a fabricated accusation.)
• Verb (to erect vertically):
  • Con mèo sợ hãi dựng đứng lông lên. (The frightened cat made its fur stand on end.)
  • Họ dựng đứng cây cột giữa sân. (They erected the pole vertically in the yard.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is most commonly used in its figurative sense (to fabricate). When used literally, it often describes hair or fur standing on end due to fear or surprise, or the action of positioning an object perfectly upright.

Variants and Related Words

• Bịa đặt (v): to fabricate, to invent (a story). Often used interchangeably with the figurative meaning of "dựng đứng."
• Vu khống (v): to slander, to falsely accuse. Focuses more on the malicious accusation itself.
• Dựng (v): to erect, to set up, to build. The root verb without the "đứng" (standing) component.

Synonyms

• Fabricate: To invent or concoct, typically with deceitful intent.
• Concoct: To devise or make up (a story or plan), often cleverly or skillfully.
• Invent: To create or think up (something fictitious).

Related Idioms

• Dựng chuyện: Similar to "dựng đứng," meaning to make up a story. It is a common colloquial phrase.
  • Đừng nghe anh ấy, anh ấy chỉ đang dựng chuyện. (Don't listen to him, he's just making up stories.)

verb

1. (hình ảnh) to fabricate (story)