Definition

Noun: 1. Fangs and claws: The literal meaning refers to the sharp teeth (nanh) and claws (vuốt) of predatory animals, especially wild beasts. This term often evokes imagery of ferocity and danger. 2. Cruel clutches, tyrannical grip: A figurative meaning used to describe the brutal, oppressive, and life-threatening control or power of a person, group, or system. It implies being trapped in a dangerous and merciless situation.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (fangs and claws):

  • Con hổ phô bộ nanh vuốt sắc nhọn. (The tiger bared its sharp fangs and claws.)
  • Nanh vuốt của loài mãnh thú là vũ khí săn mồi lợi hại. (The fangs and claws of beasts of prey are effective hunting weapons.)

• Figurative meaning (cruel clutches):

  • Nhân dân ta đã thoát khỏi nanh vuốt của chế độ thực dân. (Our people escaped from the clutches of the colonial regime.)
  • Họ sống trong nanh vuốt của bọn cường hào ác bá. (They lived under the cruel grip of the local tyrants.)

Advanced Usage

• "thoát khỏi nanh vuốt (của ai/cái gì)": to escape from the clutches (of someone/something). This is a very common collocation.
  • Chiến sĩ giải phóng đã giúp dân làng thoát khỏi nanh vuốt quân xâm lược. (The liberation soldiers helped the villagers escape from the clutches of the invaders.)
• "trong nanh vuốt (của ai/cái gì)": in the clutches (of someone/something).
  • Đất nước rơi vào nanh vuốt của nạn đói. (The country fell into the clutches of famine.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nanh (noun): Fang, tusk, canine tooth. Often used alone or in compounds like (poisonous fang), (canine tooth).
• Vuốt (noun): Claw, talon. Often used alone or in compounds like (claws), (sharp claws).
• Móng vuốt (noun): Claws. A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with in the figurative sense, e.g., (the claws of imperialism).

Synonyms

• Vũ khí lợi hại (noun phrase): Powerful weapon. (For the literal sense of tools for attack).
• Sự kìm kẹp, sự thống trị tàn bạo (noun phrases): Oppression, brutal domination. (For the figurative sense).

Related Idioms

• "Chỉ mặt nanh, nhe răng vuốt": Literally "to point at the fangs, to bare the teeth and claws". This idiom means to openly show one's ferocious, aggressive, and threatening nature.
  • Bọn cướp chỉ mặt nanh, nhe răng vuốt với người dân. (The robbers openly showed their ferocity to the people.)

noun

1. tusk and clutch; clutches