Definition

1. Verb:
   • To impose one's terms (from a vantage position): To exploit an advantageous situation to make excessive demands or to push one's advantage unfairly, often when the other party is showing restraint or making concessions.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Mình càng nhịn thì người ta càng làm già. (The more concessions one makes, the harsher are the terms they impose.)
  • Đừng để họ làm già chỉ vì chúng ta cần hợp đồng này. (Don't let them impose their terms just because we need this contract.)
  • Anh ta được lợi thế và bắt đầu làm già. (He gained the upper hand and started to push his advantage.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "làm già" is often used in contexts of negotiation, conflict, or bargaining where one side, perceiving weakness or desperation in the other, escalates their demands or becomes more oppressive.

Variants and Related Words

• Bắt bí (v): to put someone in a tight corner, to force someone into a difficult position. This is a close synonym often used interchangeably with "làm già".
  • Họ tìm cách bắt bí đối phương trong cuộc thương lượng. (They tried to force the opponent into a corner during the negotiation.)

Synonyms

• To take advantage (aggressively): To exploit a situation for unfair gain.
• To push one's luck: To act in a way that tests the limits of someone's tolerance, especially when already in a favorable position.
• To impose harsh terms: To set and enforce severe conditions.

Related Idioms

• Được đằng chân lân đằng đầu: (Literally: Given an inch, they take a mile.) This idiom describes the behavior of someone who, when given a small concession, becomes increasingly demanding and encroaching, closely related to the concept of "làm già".
  • Cứ nhượng bộ là nó lại được đằng chân lân đằng đầu. (If you give in, he just takes a mile.)

1. Impose one's terms (from a vantage position)
   • Mình càng nhịn thì người ta càng làm già
     The more concessions one makes, the harsher are the terms they impose