Definition

1. Noun:

   • A truce, a temporary cessation of hostilities: An agreement between opposing sides in a conflict to stop fighting for a specific period. This is the literal military meaning.
   • A delay, a postponement of action: A deliberate stalling or putting off of a decisive action, conflict, or confrontation, often to gain a more advantageous position or to wait for a better opportunity.

2. Verb (to use the tactic of "hoãn binh"):

   • To temporize, to stall, to play for time: To deliberately delay or avoid taking immediate action, typically by making excuses or engaging in protracted discussions, in order to gain an advantage or await a more favorable development.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hai bên đã đồng ý một cuộc hoãn binh ngắn để cứu thương. (The two sides agreed to a brief truce to rescue the wounded.)
  • Đó chỉ là chiến thuật hoãn binh của họ mà thôi. (That is merely their delaying tactic.)
• Verb:
  • Họ đang cố hoãn binh để chờ viện binh. (They are trying to stall for time while waiting for reinforcements.)
  • Anh ta hoãn binh bằng cách yêu cầu thêm dữ liệu. (He temporized by requesting more data.)

Advanced Usage

• "Kế hoãn binh": A set phrase meaning "dilatory tactics" or "delaying strategy." It refers to a planned method of stalling or creating delays to achieve a strategic goal.
  • Sử dụng kế hoãn binh, quân địch cố thủ trong thành. (Using dilatory tactics, the enemy fortified themselves inside the citadel.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đình chiến (n): Armistice, ceasefire. A formal agreement to stop fighting, often more permanent than "hoãn binh."
• Trì hoãn (v): To delay, to postpone. A general term for delay, without the specific strategic connotation of "hoãn binh."

Synonyms

• Truce: A temporary suspension of fighting.
• Stalling tactic: A maneuver designed to cause delay.
• Temporizing: Avoiding a decision to gain time.

Related Idioms

• "Hoãn binh" itself is often used idiomatically beyond military contexts to describe any strategic delay in business, negotiations, or personal matters.
  • Công ty đang hoãn binh, chưa đưa ra sản phẩm mới để quan sát đối thủ. (The company is temporizing, not releasing a new product yet to observe the competition.)

1. Put off the fighting, postpone a battle
2. Temporize, try to gain time, use dilatory tactics
   • Kế hoãn binh
     Dilatory tactics