Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To glance / to peek: To look quickly and briefly, often in a stealthy or cautious manner, by bringing one's eye close to an opening or edge.
   • To peer: To look closely or with concentration, especially through a narrow opening.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cô ấy ghé mắt nhìn qua khe cửa. (She peeked through the door crack.)
  • Anh ấy chỉ ghé mắt vào phòng một lát rồi đi. (He only glanced into the room for a moment before leaving.)
  • Đứa trẻ ghé mắt qua hàng rào để xem sân chơi. (The child peered through the fence to see the playground.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a secretive, curious, or tentative action. The subject is intentionally directing their gaze from a specific vantage point, typically near an opening, to observe without being fully seen or committed to entering.

Variants and Related Words

• Liếc mắt (v): to glance, to dart a quick look.
  • Cô ấy liếc mắt nhìn đồng hồ. (She glanced at the clock.)
• Nhìn trộm (v): to peek secretly, to spy.
  • Không nên nhìn trộm người khác. (One should not peek at others secretly.)

Synonyms

• Peek: to look quickly and furtively.
• Glance: to take a brief or hurried look.
• Peer: to look keenly or with difficulty.

Related Idioms

• Ghé mắt qua: to cast a glance over/through something.
  • Tôi chỉ ghé mắt qua tài liệu một lần. (I only cast a glance over the document once.)
• Ghé mắt thăm dò: to glance/peek to gauge or scout a situation.
  • Anh ấy ghé mắt thăm dò phản ứng của mọi người. (He peeked to gauge everyone's reaction.)

1. Glue one's eyes tọ
   • Ghé mắt nhìn qua khe cửa sổ
     To glue one's eyes to a gap in the window