Definition

1. Verb:
   • To form a party, to gang up, to collude: The primary meaning of "kéo bè" is to gather or unite with others, often secretly or for a specific, usually selfish or dubious, purpose. It implies forming a faction or a clique. The connotation is typically negative, suggesting an alliance for mutual benefit that may be at the expense of others or against rules/norms.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chúng không nên kéo bè để chống lại quyết định của lãnh đạo. (They should not gang up to oppose the leader's decision.)
  • Một số nhân viên đã kéo bè với nhau để chiếm đoạt tài sản công ty. (Some employees colluded with each other to embezzle company assets.)
  • Trong lớp, nhóm học sinh đó hay kéo bè và tẩy chay bạn khác. (In class, that group of students often forms cliques and ostracizes other classmates.)

Advanced Usage

• "Kéo bè kéo cánh": This is a common idiomatic extension that emphasizes the act of forming factions or groups. It strengthens the negative connotation of divisive group-forming.
  • Công ty đang phát triển tốt thì anh ta lại về kéo bè kéo cánh, gây mất đoàn kết. (The company was developing well when he came back and started forming factions, causing disunity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bè phái (n): Faction, clique. This is the noun form referring to the group that is formed.
  • Tình trạng bè phái trong nội bộ cần được giải quyết. (The situation of internal factions needs to be resolved.)
• Kéo (v): To pull, to draw. In "kéo bè", it metaphorically means to draw people together.
• Bè (n): Raft. Used metaphorically here to mean a group or party that sticks together.

Synonyms

• Liên kết (v): To ally, to unite. (More neutral, can be used in positive or negative contexts).
• Cấu kết (v): To conspire, to collude. (Stronger negative connotation, often for illegal purposes).
• Hùa theo (v): To join in with the crowd, to follow suit (often without critical thought).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Kéo bè với (ai): To gang up/collude with (someone).
  • Hắn ta kéo bè với một số đối tượng xấu bên ngoài. (He ganged up with some bad elements from outside.)

Related Idioms

• "Kéo bè kéo đảng": Similar to "kéo bè kéo cánh," meaning to form multiple factions or parties, often for political or power-seeking purposes. It highlights divisive and self-serving group formation.
  • Một số chính trị gia chỉ lo kéo bè kéo đảng để củng cố quyền lực cá nhân. (Some politicians only care about forming parties and factions to consolidate their personal power.)

verb

1. to form a party