hốt hoảng
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective / Adverb:
- To be in a state of panic or extreme fright: Describes a sudden, overwhelming feeling of fear or alarm that causes disorganized thought or action.
- To be flustered or frantic: Refers to a state of agitated confusion, often due to a sudden scare or urgent situation.
Verb (less common):
- To panic: The act of becoming suddenly and intensely frightened.
Usage Examples
- Adjective / Adverb:
- Nghe tiếng nổ, mọi người hốt hoảng bỏ chạy. (Hearing the explosion, everyone panicked and ran away.)
- Cô ấy trả lời một cách hốt hoảng khi bị giáo viên gọi đột ngột. (She answered in a flustered manner when the teacher called on her suddenly.)
- Verb:
- Đừng hốt hoảng, hãy bình tĩnh! (Don't panic, stay calm!)
Advanced Usage
- The word often implies a loss of composure and a reactive, rather than thoughtful, response to a frightening stimulus. It describes a more intense and visible state of alarm than simple fear ("sợ").
Variants and Related Words
- Hoảng hốt (adj/adv): A close synonym, also meaning to be panic-stricken or startled.
- Nó hoảng hốt khi nhìn thấy con rắn. (He was startled when he saw the snake.)
- Hoảng loạn (adj/adv): Suggests widespread panic or chaos, often on a larger scale.
- Đám đông rơi vào tình trạng hoảng loạn. (The crowd fell into a state of panic.)
Synonyms
- Panic: A sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety.
- Frightened out of one's wits: Extremely scared.
- Flustered: Agitated or confused.
Related Idioms
- Mặt tái mét, hốt hoảng: To have a pale, panic-stricken face.
- Thấy cảnh sát, tên trộm mặt tái mét, hốt hoảng. (Seeing the police, the thief's face turned pale with panic.)
- Hốt hoảng như gà mắc tóc: To panic like a chicken with its feathers tangled; to be in a complete, confused panic.
- Mất hộ chiếu, anh ta hốt hoảng như gà mắc tóc. (Losing his passport, he panicked completely.)
verb
- to be frightened out of one's wits