Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To fall flat like cut rice stalks: The primary meaning describes the action of falling down or collapsing in a manner similar to rice stalks that have been cut and laid flat on the ground. It strongly implies a complete, heavy, or sudden fall.
   • To be felled / toppled en masse: Often used to describe a group of people or things falling down simultaneously or in quick succession, resembling a harvested rice field.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Sau cú đấm, anh ta ngả rạ xuống sàn. (After the punch, he fell flat like cut rice stalks onto the floor.)
  • Những cây cối trong bão ngả rạ hết. (The trees in the storm were all felled en masse.)
  • Đội quân bị bắn ngả rạ. (The soldiers were shot and fell like cut stalks.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is highly evocative and is often used in literary, descriptive, or dramatic contexts to paint a vivid picture of sudden and total collapse. It is less common in casual daily conversation.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe the rapid failure or defeat of multiple entities, such as businesses or ideas.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngã rạp (verb phrase): to fall flat or topple over. This is a more common variant with a very similar meaning, though "ngả rạ" carries a stronger agricultural metaphor.
• Đổ rạp (verb phrase): to collapse or fall down flat.

Synonyms

• To fall flat: to fall and lie stretched out on the ground.
• To be mowed down: to be caused to fall in large numbers, as if by a scythe.
• To topple en masse: to fall over in a group.

Related Idioms

• While "ngả rạ" itself is a descriptive phrase, it is conceptually related to the imagery of harvest and sudden fall.
• Như rạ: (like rice stalks) - an adverbial phrase used to emphasize something happening in great numbers or falling easily.
  • Ngã như rạ. (To fall down in great numbers, like rice stalks.)