miệng thế
Definition
- Noun:
- Public opinion; the voice of the people; the talk of the town: Refers to the collective judgment, gossip, or prevailing sentiment of society or a community. It emphasizes the power of societal commentary and reputation.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Anh ta không sợ gì cả, chỉ sợ miệng thế. (He isn't afraid of anything, except public opinion.)
- Việc ấy đã thành đề tài cho miệng thế. (That incident has become fodder for the talk of the town.)
- Đừng để miệng thế chê cười. (Don't let yourself be ridiculed by public opinion.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a critical or cautionary tone, highlighting how societal judgment can constrain behavior or damage reputation.
- It is frequently used in contexts discussing morality, social standing, or scandal.
Variants and Related Words
- Dư luận (n): public opinion (a more formal, neutral synonym).
- Tiếng đồn (n): rumor, gossip.
- Lời ra tiếng vào (idiom): gossip, backbiting.
Synonyms
- Public opinion
- Social judgment
- The grapevine
- Communal voice
Related Idioms
- Miệng thế chê cười: to be mocked or condemned by public opinion.
- Hành động của hắn khiến hắn bị miệng thế chê cười. (His actions made him a laughingstock in the eyes of society.)
- Làm thị phi cho thiên hạ: to become a subject of scandal for people (a related concept meaning to create a public scandal).