Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To shelter under someone's shadow: To rely on the protection, influence, or authority of a powerful person or entity for safety or personal gain.
   • To hide behind someone: To use another person's status or power as a shield to avoid responsibility, danger, or difficulty.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Hắn ta thành công chỉ vì biết núp bóng ông chủ. (He succeeded only because he knew how to shelter under the boss's shadow.)
  • Công ty nhỏ ấy núp bóng một tập đoàn lớn để tồn tại. (That small company shelters under the shadow of a large corporation to survive.)
  • Đừng núp bóng người khác, hãy tự chịu trách nhiệm. (Don't hide behind others; take responsibility yourself.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a slightly negative or dependent connotation, implying a lack of independence or courage.
• It can be used in political, social, or business contexts to describe patronage, nepotism, or covert protection.

Variants and Related Words

• Núp (v): to crouch, to take cover, to hide. This is the core verb meaning "to hide physically."
• Che chở (v): to protect, to shelter. This is a more direct and positive term for providing protection.

Synonyms

• To take shelter under: To seek protection from.
• To rely on the patronage of: To depend on the support of a patron.
• To be under the wing of: To be protected or guided by someone more experienced or powerful.

Related Idioms

• Núp bóng cờ đảng: To hide behind the party's flag. This specific idiom criticizes using a powerful organization's authority as a shield for questionable actions.
  • Họ không có tài năng thực sự, chỉ biết núp bóng cờ đảng. (They have no real talent, they only know how to hide behind the party's flag.)