Definition

1. Idiomatic expression:
   • To let the cat out of the bag; to expose one's weak spot unintentionally: The phrase "hở cơ" describes the act of accidentally revealing a secret, a weakness, or a vulnerable point due to carelessness or a lapse in vigilance. It implies an unintentional disclosure that can be exploited by others.

Usage Examples

• Idiomatic expression:
  • Anh ấy đã hở cơ khi vô tình tiết lộ kế hoạch. (He let the cat out of the bag when he accidentally revealed the plan.)
  • Trong cuộc đàm phán, đối thủ đang tìm kiếm bất kỳ cơ hội nào để chúng ta hở cơ. (In the negotiation, the opponent is looking for any opportunity for us to expose a weak spot.)
  • Đừng nói nhiều quá, kẻo lại hở cơ. (Don't talk too much, or you might unintentionally give yourself away.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm hở cơ": to cause a secret or weakness to be exposed.
  • Một lời nói bất cẩn có thể làm hở cơ toàn bộ chiến lược. (A careless word can expose the entire strategy.)
• "Bị hở cơ": to be in a state where one's secret or weakness is exposed.
  • Đội bóng đó bị hở cơ ở hàng thủ, và đối thủ đã ghi bàn ngay lập tức. (That football team exposed a weakness in their defense, and the opponent scored immediately.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hở (verb): to be open, ajar; to reveal, to expose (a part).
  • Cửa sổ đang hở. (The window is ajar.)
• Cơ (noun): opportunity, chance; (in this context) point, spot, situation.
  • Chớp lấy cơ hội. (Seize the opportunity.)
• Lộ cơ (idiom): A near-synonym meaning to reveal one's hand or intentions, often used in strategic contexts like chess or business.
  • Tướng đã lộ cơ, ván cờ sắp kết thúc. (The general has revealed his position; the chess game is about to end.)

Synonyms

• Lỡ lời: to make a slip of the tongue.
• Sơ hở: to be negligent, to have a lapse (leading to exposure).
• Để lộ: to disclose, to reveal.

Related Idioms

• "Hở hang": (often used for clothing) to be revealing, indecent; can be metaphorically extended to mean exposed or lacking secrecy.
  • Ăn mặc hở hang. (To dress in a revealing manner.)
• "Chớp cơ hội": to seize an opportunity, often one created when someone else "hở cơ".
  • Đối thủ chớp cơ hội ngay khi chúng tôi hở cơ. (The opponent seized the opportunity as soon as we exposed a weakness.)

1. Let the cat out of the bag; expose unintentionally one's weak spot