lộn cổ
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To fall headfirst / to tumble head over heels: Describes the action of falling or tumbling in such a way that one's head goes down first or the body turns upside down.
- To be turned upside down / to be in complete disorder: Used figuratively to describe a situation that has become chaotic, reversed, or turned completely on its head.
Usage Examples
Literal meaning:
- Cậu bé trượt chân và lộn cổ xuống cầu thang. (The boy slipped and tumbled headfirst down the stairs.)
- Nó nhào lộn và suýt thì lộn cổ. (He tumbled and almost fell head over heels.)
Figurative meaning:
- Thị trường chứng khoán sụp đổ khiến mọi kế hoạch của họ lộn cổ. (The stock market crash turned all their plans upside down.)
- Câu chuyện đó hoàn toàn lộn cổ sự thật. (That story completely turns the truth on its head.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used to emphasize a sudden, uncontrolled, and often disastrous reversal or fall. It carries a stronger, more vivid connotation than simply "falling."
Variants and Related Words
Lộn nhào (verb phrase): to tumble, to somersault (often implies a rolling motion).
- Chiếc xe lộn nhào nhiều vòng trước khi dừng lại. (The vehicle tumbled over several times before stopping.)
Ngã lộn cổ (verb phrase): to fall headlong; a more explicit phrase for a headfirst fall.
- Tôi suýt ngã lộn cổ vì vấp phải cái rễ cây. (I almost fell headlong after tripping on a tree root.)
Synonyms
- Plunge headfirst: to fall or jump quickly with the head leading.
- Turn upside down: to invert or create chaos.
- Topsy-turvy: in a state of confusion or disorder.
Related Idioms
- Lộn cổ lộn đầu: an intensified form meaning complete and utter chaos or a series of tumbling falls.
- Sau tin đồn, công ty rơi vào cảnh lộn cổ lộn đầu. (After the rumor, the company was thrown into complete chaos.)