Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To rage; to wreak havoc; to rampage: To act violently, destructively, or without restraint, often causing widespread harm or fear. This typically describes the action of disasters, epidemics, or malevolent forces.
   • To act despotically; to tyrannize: To act in a domineering, oppressive, and unjust manner, doing as one pleases without regard for law or morality.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • Cơn bão đang hoành hành ở vùng duyên hải. (The storm is raging in the coastal region.)
  • Dịch bệnh đã hoành hành khắp châu lục. (The epidemic wreaked havoc across the continent.)
  • Bọn cướp không được hoành hành trên đất nước này. (The bandits must not be allowed to rampage in this country.)

Advanced Usage

• "để cho... hoành hành": to let... run rampant.

  • Không thể để cho tham nhũng hoành hành. (Corruption cannot be allowed to run rampant.)

• "hoành hành ngang ngược": to act with utter lawlessness and arrogance.

  • Bọn xã hội đen hoành hành ngang ngược trong khu phố. (The gangsters acted with utter lawlessness in the neighborhood.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoành (as in : grand, magnificent) - Shares the root implying large scale or impact, but with a positive connotation.
• Hành (as in : action) - The root verb meaning "to act".

Synonyms

• Tàn phá: to devastate, to ravage.
• Lộng hành: to act arrogantly and lawlessly.
• Hoành hoành (archaic/poetic variant): same meaning.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• is typically used as a standalone verb and does not commonly form phrasal verbs in Vietnamese.

Related Idioms

• "Làm mưa làm gió" (literally: to make rain, to make wind): To wield great power and influence, often in a domineering way. This idiom is a close synonym for the despotic aspect of .
  • Hắn ta đang làm mưa làm gió trong giới kinh doanh. (He is calling the shots in the business world.)

verb

1. to do whatever one like