Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To exhaust one's arguments; to have no more reasons to give: To reach a point where one has presented all possible arguments or justifications and has nothing more to say in defense or explanation of something.

Usage

• This phrase is used to describe a state where a person has completely run out of logical points, explanations, or justifications in a discussion, debate, or argument.
• It often implies a sense of resignation or defeat in a verbal exchange, acknowledging that no further persuasive points can be made.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi đã giải thích mọi điều, giờ thì tôi hết lẽ rồi. (I have explained everything; now I have exhausted my arguments.)
  • Anh ấy tranh luận đến khi hết lẽ thì mới chịu im lặng. (He argued until he had no more reasons to give, then he finally fell silent.)
  • Cô ấy bào chữa cho hành động của mình cho đến khi thực sự hết lẽ. (She defended her actions until she truly ran out of arguments.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đến mức hết lẽ": to the point of having no more arguments.
  • Cuộc tranh cãi kéo dài đến mức hết lẽ. (The argument dragged on to the point where no one had any more arguments.)
• Often used to express a final state in a logical progression, suggesting that all avenues of reasoning have been explored and concluded.

Variants and Related Words

• Hết lời (verb phrase): To have said everything one can; to be at a loss for words (often used in positive contexts like praising someone excessively, but can also mean running out of things to say).
  • Cô ấy khen đứa trẻ hết lời. (She praised the child profusely.)
• Bí lẽ (verb phrase): To be stuck for an argument; to be unable to think of a reason or justification.
• Cạn lời (verb phrase): To have run out of words; to be speechless (can be from emotion, frustration, or lack of arguments).

Synonyms

• Không còn lý lẽ gì: To have no more reasoning left.
• Cạn kiệt lý lẽ: To be depleted of arguments.
• Hết cách biện minh: To have exhausted all excuses/justifications.

Related Idioms

• "Đuối lý": To be logically defeated; to be unable to counter an argument. This focuses more on the weakness of one's position rather than simply having presented all points.
  • Sau khi nghe phản biện, anh ta trở nên đuối lý. (After hearing the rebuttal, he became logically defeated.)
• While not a phrasal verb, the structure is a fixed verb phrase (hết + lẽ).

1. Exhaust one's arguments