Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Flustered, panicked, in a frantic hurry: Describes a state of being extremely rushed, disorganized, and anxious, often due to a sudden event or fear. It implies acting without composure or clear thought.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nghe tin hỏa hoạn, mọi người hớt hơ hớt hải chạy ra khỏi tòa nhà. (Hearing the news of the fire, everyone ran out of the building in a frantic panic.)
  • Anh ấy hớt hơ hớt hải tìm chìa khóa khi đã đến giờ họp. (He was flustered, searching for his keys when it was already time for the meeting.)
  • Đừng có hớt hơ hớt hải như vậy, cứ bình tĩnh mà giải quyết. (Don't be so panicked and flustered like that; stay calm and handle it.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "hớt hơ hớt hải" is a reduplicative idiom (từ láy) that intensifies the meaning of haste and panic. It is often used to criticize or describe someone's lack of calm in a stressful situation.
  • Cô ấy làm việc gì cũng hớt hơ hớt hải, nên hay mắc lỗi. (She does everything in a frantic rush, so she often makes mistakes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hớt hải (adj): A shorter, slightly less intense form with the same core meaning of being in a panicked hurry.
  • Thấy mưa to, nó hớt hải đóng cửa sổ. (Seeing the heavy rain, he hurriedly closed the window in a panic.)
• Cuống cuồng (adj): Frenzied, frantic. A close synonym emphasizing chaotic, wild behavior due to panic.
• Vội vã (adj): Hurried, hasty. Describes speed but not necessarily the accompanying panic or fear implied by "hớt hơ hớt hải".

Synonyms

• Hoảng hốt: To be startled, frightened, in a state of alarm.
• Lúng túng: To be flustered, confused, or awkward (often due to being put on the spot).
• Vội vàng: In a hurry, rushed.

Related Idioms

• While "hớt hơ hớt hải" is itself an idiomatic expression, it is often used in contexts similar to:
  • "Mất bình tĩnh": To lose one's composure.

    • Gặp sự cố, anh ta hoàn toàn mất bình tĩnh và hành động hớt hơ hớt hải. (Facing the incident, he completely lost his composure and acted in a panicked fluster.)