giãy nẩy
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To jerk or startle violently in reaction: A sudden, sharp physical movement, often of the entire body, typically made in response to a surprise, shock, or strong negative stimulus.
- To react with vehement protest or refusal: To exhibit a strong, immediate, and often agitated opposition to something, as if recoiling physically from an idea or demand.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nghe tin đó, anh ta giãy nẩy lên. (Upon hearing that news, he jerked violently / exploded in protest.)
- Đứa trẻ giãy nẩy khi bị bắt uống thuốc. (The child thrashed and jerked when forced to take the medicine.)
- Cô ấy giãy nẩy phản đối ý kiến đó. (She vehemently protested against that idea.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often describes a reaction that is both physical and emotional, combining a bodily flinch with a strong emotional refusal or denial. It implies a lack of control and a visceral, instinctive response.
Variants and Related Words
- Giãy giụa (verb phrase): to struggle violently, to thrash about (often in a more sustained or desperate context than "giãy nẩy").
- Con cá giãy giụa trên thuyền. (The fish thrashed about on the boat.)
Synonyms
- Jerk: to make a quick, sharp, sudden movement.
- Flinch: to make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.
- Protest vehemently: to express strong disagreement or opposition in a forceful, agitated manner.
Related Idioms
- While "giãy nẩy" itself is an idiomatic verb phrase, it is closely associated with the imagery of someone "jumping out of their skin" due to anger, surprise, or refusal.
-
Explode with discontent
