Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fidget with / to fiddle with: To make small, restless, and often mischievous movements with one's fingers or an object, typically without a clear purpose.
   • To poke around / to scrape around: To probe or dig into a hole, cavity, or narrow space, often causing it to become larger or damaged.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa trẻ ngó ngoáy cái bút trong giờ học. (The child fidgeted with the pen during class.)
  • Đừng ngó ngoáy vào cái lỗ thủng ở tường làm cho nó to ra. (Don't poke around in that hole in the wall and enlarge it.)
  • Nó ngó ngoáy ngón tay một cách lo lắng. (He fidgeted his fingers anxiously.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a sense of restless, idle, or mischievous activity. It can describe both physical fidgeting and the act of meddling with something one shouldn't.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngoáy (v): A shorter, more colloquial form meaning to poke or prod, often with a single finger or a stick.
  • Đừng ngoáy tay vào tai. (Don't poke your finger in your ear.)

Synonyms

• Fidget: To make small movements, especially of the hands and feet, through nervousness or impatience.
• Fiddle: To touch or fidget with something in a restless or nervous way.
• Tamper: To interfere with something, often causing damage.

Related Idioms

• Ngó ngoáy chân tay: To fidget one's hands and feet; to be unable to sit still.
  • Cậu bé hiếu động lúc nào cũng ngó ngoáy chân tay. (The hyperactive boy is always fidgeting his hands and feet.)

1. Scrape round (in something hollow)
   • Đừng ngó ngoáy vào cái lỗ thủng ở tường làm cho nó to ra
2. Don't scrape round in that hole in the wall and enlarge it