ngậm hơi
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To hold one's breath: The literal meaning refers to the physical act of keeping air in one's lungs and not exhaling.
- (Figurative) To keep silent / to hold one's tongue: A figurative extension meaning to remain quiet, often deliberately, to avoid speaking or revealing something.
Usage Examples
- Literal:
- Đứa trẻ ngậm hơi dưới nước. (The child held its breath underwater.)
- Figurative:
- Trong cuộc họp, anh ta chỉ ngồi ngậm hơi. (During the meeting, he just sat there keeping silent.)
- Biết chuyện nhưng cô ấy vẫn ngậm hơi. (She knew about it but still held her tongue.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to describe a strategic or cautious silence, especially in a tense situation where speaking might be disadvantageous or dangerous.
Variants and Related Words
- Nín thở (v): to hold one's breath (more common for the literal action).
- Phải nín thở trong 10 giây. (You must hold your breath for 10 seconds.)
Synonyms
- Hold one's breath: to inhale and not exhale.
- Keep quiet: to refrain from speaking.
- Remain silent: to say nothing.
Related Idioms
- Ngậm miệng: (lit. to hold one's mouth) to shut up, to stop talking.
- Nó được yêu cầu ngậm miệng. (He was told to shut up.)
- Ngậm bồ hòn làm ngọt: (lit. to hold a bitter bael fruit and pretend it's sweet) to grin and bear it, to endure hardship without complaint.