Definition

1. Noun:
   • Flatworm: A type of invertebrate animal belonging to the phylum Platyhelminthes, characterized by a soft, flattened body. This is the primary scientific meaning.
   • (Figurative, colloquial) A spineless or groveling person: Used to describe someone who is excessively submissive, cowardly, or lacking in backbone.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):

  • Sán lá gan là một loài giun giẹp ký sinh. (The liver fluke is a type of parasitic flatworm.)
  • Trong bài học sinh học, chúng tôi quan sát giun giẹp dưới kính hiển vi. (In the biology lesson, we observed flatworms under the microscope.)

• Noun (Figurative):

  • Hắn ta chỉ là một kẻ giun giẹp, chẳng dám đứng lên bảo vệ lẽ phải. (He is just a spineless worm, not daring to stand up for what is right.)
  • Đừng có giun giẹp trước mặt sếp như thế! (Don't grovel in front of the boss like that!)

Advanced Usage

• The figurative usage is strongly pejorative. It implies contempt for someone's lack of courage or dignity.
• It is often used in comparisons or insults to emphasize extreme weakness or servility.

Variants and Related Words

• Giun dẹp: A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Giun: (Noun) Worm. A more general term.
• Sán: (Noun) Fluke or tapeworm. A specific type of parasitic flatworm.

Synonyms

• Kẻ hèn nhát: (Noun) Coward.
• Kẻ nịnh bợ: (Noun) Sycophant, flatterer (emphasizes the groveling aspect).
• Kẻ yếu hèn: (Noun) Weakling.

Related Idioms

• While "giun giẹp" itself is used idiomatically, there are no common fixed idioms that incorporate this exact phrase. Its figurative use is the idiomatic expression.