Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To leave a task, project, or responsibility entirely to someone else without retaining oversight or control. It implies a complete delegation where the delegator does not intervene or monitor the process.
   • To give someone a free hand or a blank cheque to handle something as they see fit, often with full trust or, conversely, with a lack of accountability.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Giám đốc khoán trắng dự án đó cho phó của mình. (The director left the entire project to his deputy.)
  • Sau khi giao việc, ông ấy khoán trắng luôn, chẳng thèm kiểm tra. (After assigning the work, he left it entirely to them and didn't even bother to check.)
  • Cha mẹ không nên khoán trắng việc học của con cho gia sư. (Parents should not completely delegate their child's education to a tutor.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a critical nuance, suggesting an abdication of responsibility or a lack of proper supervision, which can lead to negative outcomes. It is not typically used for positive, empowered delegation.
• It can be used in various contexts, from business and management to household chores and personal responsibilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Khoán (v): to contract, to assign a task (often with specific terms or quotas). This is the root verb, while "khoán trắng" is an idiomatic extension.
  • Công ty khoán sản phẩm cho xưởng nhỏ. (The company contracts the product out to a small workshop.)

Synonyms

• To give a blank cheque: To give complete freedom and authority.
• To leave entirely to someone: To delegate fully without interference.
• To wash one's hands of: To refuse to be responsible for something any longer.

Related Idioms

• Khoán trắng itself functions as an idiomatic verb phrase in Vietnamese. A related concept is "giao khoán" (to contract out), but it lacks the connotation of total, unchecked delegation inherent in "khoán trắng."

1. Leave (some work) entirely to (someone); give(someone) a blank cheque