Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Dubious and tortuous; underhanded: Describes actions, behaviors, or situations that are morally questionable, dishonest, or characterized by deceitful and indirect methods.
   • Servile; obsequious: Describes a person who acts in a humiliatingly submissive or fawning manner, often to gain favor or advantage.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Những vụ mua bán khuất tất đó cuối cùng cũng bị phơi bày. (Those dubious and underhanded deals were finally exposed.)
  • Hắn ta chỉ là một kẻ khuất tất, luôn luồn cúi để được thăng tiến. (He is just a servile individual, always groveling to get promoted.)
  • Mọi người nghi ngờ có âm mưu khuất tất đằng sau hợp đồng này. (People suspect a tortuous, underhanded plot behind this contract.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "khuất tất" often carries a strong negative moral judgment and is used in contexts involving corruption, unethical conduct, or a severe lack of integrity and dignity.

Variants and Related Words

• Khuất (v): to be hidden, to be out of sight. This is the root component implying obscurity or concealment.
• Luồn cúi (v): to grovel, to be obsequious. A related phrase describing similar servile behavior.
• Quỵ lụy (v): to submit humiliatingly, to be subservient.

Synonyms

• Underhanded: Acting in a secret and dishonest way.
• Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
• Obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
• Servile: Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Làm chuyện khuất tất: To do something underhanded/shady.
  • Không ai tôn trọng những kẻ chuyên làm chuyện khuất tất. (No one respects those who specialize in doing underhanded things.)
• Thái độ khuất tất: A servile/obsequious attitude.
  • Anh ấy có thái độ khuất tất trước cấp trên. (He has a servile attitude towards his superiors.)

1. Dubious and tortuous