giở tay
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To raise one's hand (to strike or gesture): The primary meaning refers to the physical act of lifting one's hand, often with the implication of preparing to hit someone or to make a decisive gesture.
- To take action, to intervene: Used metaphorically to indicate the moment one decides to act or intervene in a situation, typically implying a swift or forceful action.
Usage Examples
Literal (to raise a hand):
- Nó giở tay định đánh tôi. (He raised his hand to hit me.)
- Đừng giở tay với trẻ con! (Don't you dare raise a hand to a child!)
Metaphorical (to take action):
- Chỉ cần anh ấy giở tay là mọi chuyện sẽ được giải quyết. (Once he takes action, everything will be resolved.)
- Hắn chưa giở tay can thiệp vì đang chờ thời cơ. (He hasn't intervened yet because he's waiting for the right opportunity.)
Advanced Usage
- "giở tay giở chân": This is a common reduplicative phrase meaning to be physically aggressive, to start hitting or kicking.
- Nó nổi giận là giở tay giở chân ngay. (When he gets angry, he immediately becomes physically aggressive.)
Variants and Related Words
- Trở tay: This is a variant form listed in some dictionaries with a similar meaning, often implying a quick or deft hand movement. The reference "xem trở tay" indicates they are considered interchangeable or closely related in this specific idiomatic usage.
- Không kịp trở tay. (Couldn't react in time [lit: couldn't turn one's hand fast enough].)
Synonyms
- Vung tay: to swing one's arm/hand.
- Ra tay: to take action, to intervene (often implying effectiveness or decisiveness).
- Can thiệp: to intervene.
Related Idioms
"Giở tay không kịp": To be caught off guard, to be unable to react in time.
- Sự việc xảy ra nhanh quá, giở tay không kịp. (It happened so fast, I couldn't react in time.)
"Chưa kịp giở tay": Before one could even lift a finger, implying something happened with overwhelming speed.
- Cảnh sát ập vào, bọn chúng chưa kịp giở tay. (The police raided them before they could even lift a finger.)