Definition

Verb: - To bungle, to fumble, to act in a flustered or clumsy manner: To perform a task awkwardly, hastily, or incompetently due to confusion, nervousness, or lack of skill, often leading to mistakes or a messy outcome. It describes a state of being flustered and unable to act calmly or efficiently.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy lính quýnh tìm chìa khóa khi đã muộn giờ làm. (He fumbled around looking for his keys when he was already late for work.)
  • Lần đầu nấu ăn, cô ấy lính quýnh đến nỗi làm đổ cả chảo. (Cooking for the first time, she was so flustered that she dropped the entire pan.)
  • Đừng lính quýnh như vậy, hãy bình tĩnh và làm từng bước một. (Don't bungle things like that; be calm and do it step by step.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm một cách lính quýnh": To do something in a bungling, haphazard manner.
  • Cậu ta làm bài tập một cách lính quýnh nên kết quả rất tệ. (He did his homework in a bungling manner, so the result was very poor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Luýnh quýnh (verb): An older or variant form with the same meaning as "lính quýnh" – to be flustered, to act in confusion.
• Lúng túng (verb): To be embarrassed, hesitant, or at a loss, often due to shyness or an unexpected situation. It is similar but can imply more embarrassment than clumsy action.
• Vụng về (adjective): Clumsy, awkward. Describes a general trait rather than a specific flustered action.

Synonyms

• Bungle: To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently.
• Fumble: To use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something.
• Flounder: To struggle clumsily or helplessly.

Related Idioms

• "Như gà mắc tóc": (Like a chicken with its feathers tangled). An idiom describing a state of extreme confusion and helpless floundering, very similar to acting in a "lính quýnh" manner.
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ta hoảng hốt như gà mắc tóc. (Upon hearing that news, he panicked like a headless chicken.)

verb

1. to bungle