Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To maintain one's integrity/self-control: To consciously behave in a way that protects one's dignity, reputation, or moral principles.
   • To be on one's guard / To preserve oneself: To act cautiously to avoid danger, temptation, or compromising situations.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trong môi trường phức tạp, cô ấy luôn biết cách giữ mình. (In a complex environment, she always knows how to maintain her integrity.)
  • Anh ấy đã giữ mình trước những lời mời hối lộ. (He kept himself from falling for the bribery offers.)
  • Cha mẹ dặn tôi phải biết giữ mình khi sống xa nhà. (My parents told me to know how to preserve myself when living far from home.)

Advanced Usage

• "giữ mình trong sạch": to keep oneself pure/uncorrupted.
  • Dù bị cám dỗ, anh ta vẫn giữ mình trong sạch. (Despite being tempted, he kept himself pure.)
• "biết giữ mình": to know how to conduct oneself properly.
  • Một người trưởng thành phải biết giữ mình. (A mature person must know how to conduct themselves properly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giữ gìn (verb): to preserve, to maintain (often used for both abstract things like reputation and concrete things).
  • giữ gìn danh dự (to preserve one's honor)
• Tự chủ (verb/adjective): to be self-controlled, autonomous.
  • anh ấy rất biết tự chủ (he knows how to exercise self-control)
• Thận trọng (adjective): cautious, careful.
  • Hãy thận trọng trong lời nói. (Be cautious with your words.)

Synonyms

• Tự bảo vệ: to protect oneself.
• Thủ mình: (literary) to guard oneself, to be reserved.
• Cẩn trọng: to be prudent, careful.

Related Phrases

• Giữ thể diện: to save face, to maintain one's image.
  • Anh ấy làm vậy chỉ để giữ thể diện. (He did that just to save face.)
• Giữ ý: to be tactful, to mind one's manners.
  • Cô ấy nói năng rất biết giữ ý. (She speaks very tactfully.)

Related Idioms

• "Giữ mình như giữ tròng con mắt": To guard/protect oneself as carefully as one guards the apple of one's eye.
  • Bà luôn dặn các con phải giữ mình như giữ tròng con mắt. (She always told her children to guard themselves as carefully as the apple of their eye.)
• "Giữ mình cho tròn đạo lý": To conduct oneself in accordance with moral principles.
  • Dù khó khăn, ông ấy vẫn giữ mình cho tròn đạo lý. (Despite difficulties, he still conducted himself according to moral principles.)

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