Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):
   • To startle violently; to give a sudden, sharp jump of fear or surprise. It describes an involuntary physical reaction, often a full-body jerk, caused by a sudden shock, fright, or unexpected event. The feeling is intense and immediate.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nghe tiếng nổ lớn, tôi giật thót cả người. (Hearing the loud bang, I startled violently.)
  • Cô ấy giật thót khi ai đó chạm vào vai mình lúc nửa đêm. (She gave a sharp jump when someone touched her shoulder at midnight.)
  • Đang đọc truyện kinh dị, tôi cứ giật thót hết lần này đến lần khác. (While reading the horror story, I kept startling over and over.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies that the startle is visible and physical, not just an internal feeling. It emphasizes the suddenness and the bodily "jump" or "jerk" reaction.

Variants and Related Words

• Giật mình (v): to startle, to be startled. This is a more general and common term for being startled, while giật thót implies a stronger, more pronounced physical reaction.
  • Tiếng chuông làm tôi giật mình. (The bell made me startle.)

Synonyms

• To jump (in fright): to make a sudden involuntary movement due to fear.
• To flinch: to make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.

Related Idioms

• While giật thót itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is used descriptively in contexts involving sudden fear or surprise.
  • Sợ giật thót tim: To be so frightened it feels like your heart jumps. (An expressive phrase, not a formal idiom).

1. Startle