khúm núm

Thân thiện

Người hầu khúm núm khi dâng trà cho chủ nhà.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cower; to cringe: To behave in an excessively humble, submissive, or fearful way, often by physically shrinking or bowing, to show exaggerated deference or to appease someone in authority.
   • To be obsequious; to be servile: To act with excessive eagerness to please or obey someone in a way that shows a lack of self-respect.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người hầu cũ khúm núm trước ông chủ mới. (The old servant cowered before the new master.)
  • Anh ta khúm núm nhận lỗi dù không phải do mình. (He servilely accepted the blame even though it wasn't his fault.)
  • Thái độ khúm núm của anh ấy trước sếp khiến mọi người khó chịu. (His obsequious attitude towards the boss made everyone uncomfortable.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "khúm núm" strongly implies a power imbalance and often carries a negative connotation, criticizing the person who is acting in such a manner as being spineless or lacking dignity. It describes both a physical posture (bowed head, hunched shoulders) and a behavioral attitude.

Synonyms

• Cower: To crouch down in fear.
• Cringe: To shrink back in fear or servility.
• Grovel: To behave abjectly in order to obtain forgiveness or favor.
• Fawn: To flatter or display affection in a servile way.
• Be obsequious: To be obedient or attentive to an excessive degree.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Khúm núm bợ đỡ: To grovel and flatter. This phrase intensifies the meaning, combining servile behavior with fawning flattery.
  • Hắn chỉ biết khúm núm bợ đỡ cấp trên để được thăng chức. (He only knows how to grovel and flatter his superiors to get promoted.)

Học thuật

verb

1. to cower; to cringe
   • khúm núm trước người nào
     to cower before someone