Definition

1. Verb:
   • To pounce, to lunge, to spring upon: Describes a sudden, aggressive, and rapid forward movement, typically to attack or seize something or someone. It implies a burst of energy from a stationary or waiting position.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con mèo nhảy xổ vào con chuột. (The cat pounced on the mouse.)
  • Tên cướp nhảy xổ vào nạn nhân để cướp túi xách. (The robber lunged at the victim to snatch the handbag.)
  • Cầu thủ phòng ngự nhảy xổ vào để cướp bóng. (The defender sprang forward to steal the ball.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhảy xổ vào": This is the most common construction, meaning "to pounce/lunge/spring upon/into/at". The preposition "vào" is integral to the phrase.
  • Anh ta nhảy xổ vào cuộc tranh luận một cách giận dữ. (He jumped into the argument angrily.)
• Used figuratively to describe aggressively entering a situation, conversation, or task.
  • Cô ấy nhảy xổ vào công việc mới với nhiều nhiệt huyết. (She dove into the new work with great enthusiasm.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xông vào / Lao vào (verb): To rush into, to charge into. These are close synonyms but may lack the specific "springing from a standstill" nuance of "nhảy xổ".
• Chộp lấy (verb): To grab, to snatch. Focuses more on the seizing action than the initial movement.
• Tấn công bất ngờ (verb phrase): To attack suddenly. A more descriptive synonym.

Synonyms

• Pounce (upon) (verb): To spring or swoop suddenly to seize something.
• Lunge (at) (verb): To make a sudden forward movement, especially to attack.
• Spring (upon) (verb): To move rapidly or suddenly from a position.

Related Phrases

• Hành động nhảy xổ: A pouncing/lunging action.
  • Hành động nhảy xổ của anh ấy khiến mọi người giật mình. (His lunge startled everyone.)

Related Idioms

• Như diều gặp gió: (Like a kite meeting the wind). While not a direct synonym, this idiom describes acting with sudden, energetic opportunity, which can sometimes relate to the impulsive energy of "nhảy xổ".
• Nhanh như cắt: (As fast as a falcon's strike). Describes extreme speed, similar to the quick motion implied by "nhảy xổ".

1. Bounce upon