Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To doze off while sitting; to nod off in a seated position: Refers to the act of falling into a light, unintended sleep while sitting, typically characterized by the head nodding forward or bobbing.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Ông cụ thường ngỏ gật trên ghế sau bữa trưa. (The old man often dozes off in his chair after lunch.)
  • Trong cuộc họp dài, một vài người bắt đầu ngỏ gật. (During the long meeting, a few people started to nod off.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase vividly describes a specific, common state of drowsiness. It is often used in informal, descriptive contexts to paint a picture of someone struggling to stay awake.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngủ gật (verb phrase): to nod off; to doze. A more common and general synonym.

  • Cậu bé ngủ gật trên xe buýt. (The boy nodded off on the bus.)

• Gật gù (verb): to nod repeatedly. This can indicate agreement or, in a different context, the motion of a head nodding from sleepiness.

  • Anh ấy gật gù đồng ý. (He nodded in agreement.)

Synonyms

• To doze off: to fall into a light sleep.
• To nod off: to begin to sleep, especially unintentionally.

Related Idioms

• While "ngỏ gật" itself is a descriptive phrase, it relates to the common experience of fighting sleep, often described in idioms like "buồn ngủ gật" (so sleepy one is nodding off).