lấm la lấm lét
Definition
- Adjective:
- Sneaky, furtive, shifty: Describes a way of looking or behaving that is secretive, evasive, or characterized by quick, sideways glances, often due to guilt, fear, or a desire to hide something.
- Sly, stealthy: Can describe a cautious, secretive manner of moving or acting.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Thằng bé nhìn lấm la lấm lét như sợ bị phát hiện. (The boy looked around furtively as if afraid of being caught.)
- Cô ấy có cái nhìn lấm la lấm lét khi nói dối. (She had a shifty look when she lied.)
- Tên trộm đi lấm la lấm lét trong bóng tối. (The thief moved stealthily in the darkness.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used to intensify the meaning of "lấm lét," emphasizing a more pronounced or repeated sneaky, evasive action.
- Nó cứ lấm la lấm lét nhìn ra cửa sổ, chắc đang chờ ai. (He keeps sneaking furtive glances out the window; he must be waiting for someone.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lấm lét (adj): The core word, meaning furtive, shifty. "Lấm la lấm lét" is a reduplicative form that adds emphasis or a sense of repetition to the action.
- Ánh mắt lấm lét của nó khiến tôi nghi ngờ. (Its shifty eyes made me suspicious.)
Synonyms
- Lén lút: stealthy, secretive.
- Vụng trộm: furtive, clandestine.
- Lươn lẹo: sly, deceitful (often implies cunning).
Related Idioms
- Mắt lấm lét: shifty eyes.
- Đừng tin hắn, hắn có đôi mắt lấm lét. (Don't trust him; he has shifty eyes.)