Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wind up (a mechanism): The action of tightening the spring of a mechanical device, such as a clock or watch, to store energy so it can operate.
   • To tune (a stringed instrument): The action of adjusting the tension of the strings on a musical instrument, like a guitar or violin, to achieve the correct pitch.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông tôi phải lên dây đồng hồ mỗi ngày. (My grandfather has to wind up the clock every day.)
  • Cô ấy lên dây đàn guitar trước buổi biểu diễn. (She tunes the guitar before the performance.)

Advanced Usage

• "lên dây cót": This is a more specific variant meaning "to wind up a spring" or, figuratively, "to psych oneself up" or "to prepare mentally."
  • Anh ấy đang lên dây cót tinh thần cho trận đấu quan trọng. (He is psyching himself up for the important match.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lên dây đàn (v): Specifically, to tune a stringed instrument.
  • Giáo viên dạy học sinh cách lên dây đàn violin. (The teacher taught the student how to tune a violin.)

Synonyms

• Wind up: To tighten the spring of a mechanism.
• Tune: To adjust an instrument to the correct pitch.

Related Idioms

• Lên dây cót tinh thần: To prepare one's spirit or morale; to get into the right mental state.
  • Đội bóng đang lên dây cót tinh thần trước trận chung kết. (The football team is getting their spirits up before the final match.)