lật ngửa
Definition
- Verb:
- To flip over / to turn face up: The primary meaning of "lật ngửa" is to turn an object over so that its underside or previously hidden surface becomes the top or visible side. It specifically implies moving from a face-down (prone) position to a face-up (supine) position.
- To overturn / to upend: In a figurative sense, it can mean to completely reverse a situation, argument, or established order, exposing its fundamental nature or flaws.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đứa trẻ lật ngửa con rùa để xem bụng nó. (The child flipped the turtle over to look at its belly.)
- Cảnh sát lật ngửa chiếc xe để tìm chứng cứ. (The police overturned the car to search for evidence.)
- Luật sư đã lật ngửa vụ án với một bằng chứng mới. (The lawyer overturned the case with new evidence.)
Advanced Usage
- "lật ngửa bàn cờ": to turn the chessboard over. This idiom means to completely reverse the strategic situation, often suddenly and decisively.
- Chiến thuật bất ngờ của tướng quân đã lật ngửa bàn cờ. (The general's unexpected tactic completely turned the tables.)
Variants and Related Words
Lật (v): to flip, to turn over. A more general term.
- Anh ấy lật trang sách. (He turned the page of the book.)
Ngửa (adj): facing upward, supine. Describes the state of being face-up.
- Nó nằm ngửa nhìn trời. (He lay on his back looking at the sky.)
Synonyms
- Flip over: to turn something so the other side is up.
- Turn over: to move something so its opposite side faces upward.
- Overturn: to cause something to turn over onto its side or top; to reverse a decision.
Related Idioms
- Lật ngửa bàn tay: to turn the palm upward. This can mean to reveal one's intentions or resources openly, or to indicate how easy something is.
- Việc đó dễ như lật ngửa bàn tay. (That task is as easy as turning over your hand.)