lỏng lẻo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Loose; slack; not tight or firm: Describes something that is not securely fastened, fixed, or held together, allowing for movement or play.
- Lax; weak; not strict or rigorous: Describes systems, organizations, discipline, or structures that lack tightness, strictness, or cohesion.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chiếc ốc vít bị lỏng lẻo. (The screw is loose.)
- Tổ chức đó có cơ cấu quản lý lỏng lẻo. (That organization has a loose management structure.)
- Kỷ luật trong lớp học rất lỏng lẻo. (The discipline in the classroom is very lax.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe abstract concepts like morals, agreements, or relationships that are weak or not binding.
- Mối quan hệ giữa họ ngày càng lỏng lẻo. (The relationship between them is becoming increasingly loose.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lỏng (adj): loose (often physically, e.g., a loose knot). Can imply fluidity (e.g., liquid).
- Lẻo (rarely used alone): Often part of the compound "lỏng lẻo" to emphasize the state of slackness.
Synonyms
- Loose: Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
- Slack: Not taut or held tightly.
- Lax: Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful.
- Weak: Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking strength.
Antonyms
- Chặt (tight; firm)
- Nghiêm ngặt (strict; rigorous)
- Vững chắc (solid; stable)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Lỏng lẻo tay chân: Clumsy or uncoordinated in manual tasks (literally "loose hands and feet").
- Làm việc gì cũng lỏng lẻo tay chân. (He is clumsy at everything he does.)