lo quanh
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To worry about trivial matters / to fuss over insignificant things: To expend mental energy and concern on issues that are unimportant, peripheral, or not the main point, often resulting in unproductive anxiety.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Đừng lo quanh những chuyện nhỏ nhặt ấy. (Don't worry about those trivial matters.)
- Cô ấy cứ lo quanh về việc trang trí trong khi vấn đề chính là ngân sách. (She keeps fussing over the decoration while the main issue is the budget.)
- Anh ấy hay lo quanh, chứ không tập trung giải quyết vấn đề cốt lõi. (He often worries about peripheral things instead of focusing on solving the core problem.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies criticism of the subject's focus, suggesting their worry is misplaced, inefficient, or excessive relative to the actual importance of the issues.
Variants and Related Words
- Lo lắng (v): to worry, to be anxious. This is the neutral, general term for worrying.
- Lo xa (v): to worry about the future, to plan ahead (can be positive or negative depending on context).
Synonyms
- To fuss: to show unnecessary or excessive concern.
- To fret: to be constantly or visibly worried, especially about minor details.
- To worry over trifles: to be anxious about insignificant matters.
Related Idioms
- While "lo quanh" itself is a set phrase, it relates to the concept of unproductive worry found in idioms like:
- Chuyện bé xé ra to: To make a mountain out of a molehill (lit: a small matter torn into a big one).
- Đó chỉ là lỗi nhỏ, đừng lo quanh chuyện bé xé ra to. (It's just a small mistake, don't fuss and make a mountain out of a molehill.)