Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hold back, to restrain, to check: To exert force to stop or control the movement, speed, or intensity of something.
   • To pull (on reins): Specifically, to pull back on reins to control an animal, especially a horse.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy phải ghìm cương con ngựa đang hoảng sợ. (He had to pull the reins of the frightened horse.)
  • Cô ấy cố ghìm nén cơn giận của mình. (She tried to restrain her anger.)
  • Tài xế phải ghìm phanh xe lại. (The driver had to brake the car hard / apply the brakes.)

Advanced Usage

• "ghìm lòng": To restrain one's heart/feelings; to hold back one's emotions.
  • Anh ấy phải ghìm lòng không khóc. (He had to hold back his tears.)
• "ghìm cương": To pull on the reins; often used metaphorically to mean "to take control" or "to rein in".
  • Người huấn luyện phải ghìm cương con ngựa bất kham. (The trainer had to rein in the unruly horse.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kìm (verb): To clamp, to hold tightly, to suppress. (Note: "ghìm" and "kìm" are often used interchangeably, though "ghìm" is more common for pulling reins and "kìm" for clamping or suppressing emotions/forces.)
• Kìm hãm (verb): To hinder, to hold back, to impede.
• Ghì (verb): To hug tightly, to clasp; to pull down (e.g., on a lever). (Note: "Ghì" implies a stronger, more continuous pulling or holding force compared to "ghìm".)

Synonyms

• Kềm chế: To control, to restrain.
• Nén lại: To suppress, to hold in.
• Giữ lại: To hold back, to keep back.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ghìm lại: To hold back, to stop. (This is the basic verb form with the particle "lại" emphasizing the action of stopping.)
  • Anh ta ghìm lại bước chân trước cửa. (He held back his steps at the door.)
• Ghìm xuống: To press down, to hold down.
  • Ghìm xuống cần gạt. (Press down the lever.)

Related Idioms

• Ghìm cương ngựa chạy: Literally "to rein in a running horse"; figuratively means to try to stop something that is already happening at full speed or intensity, often implying difficulty.
  • Ngăn tin đồn lúc này như ghìm cương ngựa chạy. (Stopping the rumor now is like trying to rein in a galloping horse.)

verb

1. to pull