khều khoào
Definition
- Verb:
- To fumble; to grope clumsily: To use one's hands in an awkward, unskilled, or uncertain manner, often when trying to handle something or find something in the dark or without looking.
- To act clumsily or ineptly: To proceed or handle a task in a clumsy, awkward, or uncoordinated way.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Trong bóng tối, anh ấy khều khoào tìm chiếc chìa khóa. (In the dark, he fumbled around for the key.)
- Đừng khều khoào với món đồ dễ vỡ như thế. (Don't fumble with such fragile items.)
- Cô ấy khều khoào mãi mới mở được cửa. (She fumbled clumsily for a while before she could open the door.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often implies a lack of dexterity, care, or visibility, leading to awkward movements. It can describe both physical fumbling and, by extension, clumsy handling of a situation.
Variants and Related Words
- Khều (v): To poke or hook something lightly (often with a finger or a tool). This is the root verb, while "khều khoào" intensifies the sense of clumsy, repeated action.
- Khều hạt đậu rơi trong góc. (To poke/hook the bean that fell into the corner.)
Synonyms
- Fumble: To handle clumsily or inefficiently.
- Grope: To feel about uncertainly with the hands.
- Clumsily handle: To manipulate something in an awkward way.
Related Idioms
- While "khều khoào" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is related to expressions of clumsiness or ineptitude.