Definition

1. Verb:
   • To backstitch: To sew by making stitches that overlap backwards, creating a strong and secure seam. This technique is often used at the beginning and end of a seam to prevent unraveling.
   • To fasten a stitch, to secure a stitch: The action of finishing a line of sewing by locking the thread in place, often by sewing a few stitches over themselves.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhớ lại mũi ở hai đầu đường may. (Remember to backstitch at both ends of the seam.)
  • Cô ấy lại mũi cẩn thận trước khi cắt chỉ. (She carefully fastened the stitch before cutting the thread.)

Advanced Usage

• "lại mũi cho chắc": to backstitch for strength/security.
  • Đường may này chịu lực nhiều, bạn nên lại mũi cho chắc. (This seam bears a lot of stress, you should backstitch to make it secure.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khâu lại mũi (verb phrase): to sew a backstitch. This is a more descriptive phrase combining "khâu" (to sew) with "lại mũi".
• Mũi khâu lại (noun phrase): a backstitch. This refers to the stitch itself.
  • Mũi khâu lại giúp đường may bền hơn. (The backstitch makes the seam more durable.)

Synonyms

• May chặn: to bar-tack, to stitch in place (a similar concept of reinforcing a point, though not an exact synonym).
• Cố định đường chỉ: to secure the thread.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Lại mũi lại: to backstitch again, to re-secure. The repetition emphasizes the action.
  • Đường chỉ có vẻ lỏng, tôi phải lại mũi lại. (The thread seems loose, I have to backstitch it again.)

Related Idioms

• • Làm cho chắc ăn: to do something to be sure, to make certain (similar in spirit to securing a stitch).

    • Tôi sẽ kiểm tra lại mọi thứ cho chắc ăn. (I will double-check everything to be sure.)

1. back-stitch