Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To link forefingers (as a sign of agreement or pact): The action of two people hooking their index fingers together to signify a mutual promise, agreement, or pact. It is a traditional, informal gesture of sealing a deal or making a vow, often used between children or in casual, friendly contexts.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Hai đứa trẻ ngoặc tay hứa sẽ giữ bí mật. (The two children linked forefingers to promise they would keep the secret.)
  • Chúng tôi ngoặc tay thỏa thuận về giá cả. (We linked forefingers to agree on the price.)
  • Họ ngoặc tay với nhau trước khi bắt đầu cuộc thi. (They linked forefingers with each other before starting the competition.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ngoặc tay thi đua": To link forefingers as a sign of a mutual challenge or pact to compete/emulate. This is a common collocation where the gesture specifically seals a promise to strive for a common goal, often to complete work faster or better.
  • Cả đội ngoặc tay thi đua hoàn thành dự án sớm. (The whole team linked forefingers in a pact to compete in finishing the project early.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngoặc (verb): To hook, to link in a curved manner. This is the root verb describing the hooking action.
• Móc tay / Móc ngón tay (verb phrase): To hook fingers. A more general phrase that can be synonymous with "ngoặc tay" but may not carry the specific connotation of making a formal pact.
• Giao ước / Hứa hẹn (verb/noun): To make a pact / a promise. These are the abstract concepts for which "ngoặc tay" is the physical gesture.

Synonyms

• Đồng ý bằng cái bắt tay: To agree with a handshake (a more common, universal gesture for agreement).
• Hứa bằng lời: To promise verbally.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Ngoặc tay đảm bảo: To link forefingers as a guarantee. This emphasizes the gesture's role in providing assurance.
  • Anh ấy ngoặc tay đảm bảo sẽ có mặt đúng giờ. (He linked forefingers as a guarantee he would be on time.)

1. Link forefingers (in sign of a contract agreed upon)
   • Ngoặc tay thi đua làm xong việc trước thời hạn
     To link forefingers and emulate one another in completing one's work before schedule