Definition

1. Verb:
   • To boast, to brag, to talk big: To speak in an exaggerated or empty manner, often making claims that are not backed by action or truth.
   • To talk nonsense, to talk idly: To speak without substance or serious intent.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chỉ biết hoẹt suốt ngày chứ chẳng làm được việc gì. (He only knows how to brag all day without getting anything done.)
  • Đừng có hoẹt nữa, hãy chứng minh bằng hành động đi. (Stop talking big; prove it with actions.)
  • Nó hoẹt là sẽ mua xe mới, nhưng tiền đâu mà mua. (He boasted that he would buy a new car, but where would he get the money?)

Advanced Usage

• "nói hoẹt": This is a common collocation reinforcing the verb's meaning.
  • Thằng đó chuyên nói hoẹt, đừng tin. (That guy is a specialist in empty talk, don't believe him.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khoác lác (v): To boast, to brag (similar meaning, can be used interchangeably in many contexts).
• Nổ (v, slang): To boast, to talk big (a more modern, colloquial synonym).
• Nói hão (v): To talk nonsense/idly (a direct synonym, often found in the dictionary definition).

Synonyms

• Brag: To talk boastfully.
• Boast: To speak with excessive pride.
• Talk big: To make exaggerated claims.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Chỉ giỏi hoẹt: To only be good at boasting.
  • Hắn chỉ giỏi hoẹt trước mặt mọi người. (He is only good at boasting in front of people.)

Related Idioms

• Hoẹt như cuốc kêu: (To brag) like a crowing coucal bird – meaning to boast loudly and annoyingly.
  • Cả ngày hoẹt như cuốc kêu mà chẳng thấy làm gì. (He bragged noisily all day long but was seen doing nothing.)