Definition

1. Verb:
   • To kick backwards with the hind legs: Specifically refers to the action of an animal, most commonly a horse, suddenly kicking its hind legs backward.
   • To buck, to lash out: Describes a sharp, often defensive or aggressive, backward kick.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con ngựa hoảng sợ và bắt đầu hất hậu. (The frightened horse began to buck/kick out with its hind legs.)
  • Phải cẩn thận đứng phía sau con lừa, nó có thể hất hậu bất ngờ. (Be careful standing behind the donkey; it might kick out suddenly.)

Advanced Usage

• "hất hậu" as a descriptive action: While primarily for animals, it can be used metaphorically or humorously for a person making a similar sudden, backward motion, often in resistance.
  • Anh ta giận dữ, quay đi và hất hậu cánh cửa lại. (He was angry, turned away, and slammed the door shut with a backward kick-like motion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đá hậu: A compound phrase meaning "to kick from behind/to kick with the hind legs." This is a more general synonym.
• Phản kháng: (Verb) To resist, to oppose. This is a conceptual synonym in a metaphorical sense.
• Vùng vẫy: (Verb) To struggle, to flail. Describes a broader, more frantic movement which may include kicking.

Synonyms

• Đá bằng chân sau: To kick with the hind legs.
• Bất thình lình đạp ra phía sau: To suddenly thrust/strike backward.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Nổi điên hất hậu: To fly into a rage and lash out (like kicking).
  • Nghe tin đó, ông ấy nổi điên hất hậu, đập phá mọi thứ. (Upon hearing that news, he flew into a rage and lashed out, smashing things.)

Related Idioms

• Cứng đầu hơn cả lừa hất hậu: (As) stubborn as a donkey that kicks. Used to describe an extremely stubborn person.
  • Đừng có tranh cãi với nó, nó cứng đầu hơn cả lừa hất hậu ấy. (Don't argue with him; he's as stubborn as a mule that kicks.)

1. kick (of a horse)