Definition

1. Verb:
   • To topple, to overthrow, to bring down (from a position of power or status): "hạ bệ" is a colloquial verb used to describe the act of removing someone from a position of authority, power, or high status, often forcefully or through political means. It implies a fall from a previously held, often elevated, position.
   • To demote, to dismiss (from a job or rank): In a less political context, it can also mean to remove someone from their job or rank, to fire or demote them.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tên độc tài đã bị hạ bệ. (The dictator was toppled.)
  • Hội đồng quản trị quyết định hạ bệ giám đốc cũ vì tham nhũng. (The board of directors decided to oust the old director due to corruption.)
  • Anh ta bị hạ bệ khỏi vị trí đội trưởng sau trận thua. (He was removed from the position of team captain after the loss.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị hạ bệ": to be toppled/overthrown/demoted. This passive construction is very common.
  • Nhiều chính trị gia tham nhũng cuối cùng cũng bị hạ bệ. (Many corrupt politicians are eventually brought down.)
• "hạ bệ một chế độ": to overthrow a regime.
  • Cuộc cách mạng đã thành công trong việc hạ bệ chế độ cũ. (The revolution succeeded in toppling the old regime.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lật đổ (verb): To overthrow, to overturn. This is a more formal synonym, often used in political contexts.
  • lật đổ chính quyền (to overthrow the government)
• Cách chức (verb): To dismiss from a position, to strip of a title. Focuses on the official removal from a job or rank.
  • Bộ trưởng bị cách chức. (The minister was dismissed.)
• Giáng chức (verb): To demote. Specifically means to lower in rank.
  • ông ta bị giáng chức xuống làm nhân viên. (He was demoted to a staff position.)

Synonyms

• Overthrow: Lật đổ (to remove from power, especially a government).
• Oust: Đuổi ra, loại bỏ (to force someone out of a position).
• Depose: Phế truất (to remove from office, especially a monarch).
• Demote: Giáng chức (to lower in rank or position).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Hạ bệ một lãnh tụ: To topple a leader.
  • Âm mưu hạ bệ một lãnh tụ. (A plot to topple a leader.)
• Hạ bệ uy tín của ai đó: To damage/destroy someone's reputation (literally: to bring down someone's prestige). This is a figurative extension.
  • Bài báo đó nhằm hạ bệ uy tín của ứng viên. (That article aims to damage the candidate's reputation.)

Related Idioms

• "Trèo cao ngã đau" / "Càng lên cao càng ngã đau": The higher you climb, the harder you fall. This idiom reflects the concept behind "hạ bệ" – a dramatic fall from a high position.
  • Hắn ta từng quyền lực, nhưng giờ đã bị hạ bệ, đúng là trèo cao ngã đau. (He was once powerful, but now he's been toppled – truly, the higher you climb, the harder you fall.)

1. (thông tục) Topple
   • Tên độc tài đã bị hạ bệ
     The dictator was toppled