nhe răng

Một chú chó nhỏ nhe răng trong lúc chơi đùa.

Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To bare one's teeth: To show one's teeth, often as a sign of aggression, threat, or hostility, similar to an animal snarling.
   • To grin / to smile with teeth showing: To show one's teeth in a smile, often one that is insincere, forced, or used to evade a question or mask true feelings.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Con chó nhe răng gầm gừ. (The dog bared its teeth and growled.)
  • Khi bị chất vấn, anh ta chỉ nhe răng cười trừ. (When questioned, he just grinned evasively.)
  • Đừng lại gần con mèo đó, nó đang nhe răng kìa. (Don't go near that cat; it's baring its teeth.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can describe a non-verbal reaction to avoid giving a direct answer, implying a dismissive or deflective attitude.
  • Câu trả lời của ông ấy chỉ là một cái nhe răng. (His answer was just a dismissive grin.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhe nanh (verb phrase): To bare fangs. A stronger, more aggressive variant often used for animals or to describe overt hostility.
  • Con rắn nhe nanh đe dọa. (The snake bared its fangs as a threat.)

Synonyms

• Bare one's teeth: To show teeth, typically in aggression.
• Grin: To smile broadly, often showing teeth.
• Snarl: To growl and show teeth aggressively.

Related Idioms

• Nhe răng cười trừ: To grin or smile as a way to avoid answering; to laugh something off.
  • Mỗi lần nhắc đến chuyện cũ, cô ấy lại nhe răng cười trừ. (Every time the past is mentioned, she just grins and evades it.)