nhấm nhẳng
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective/Adverb: - To be indecisive or vacillating: Describes a person's speech, attitude, or behavior that is inconsistent, wavering, or constantly changing, showing an inability to make a firm decision or stick to a clear position. - To speak in a grumbling or muttering manner: Refers to talking in a low, unclear, and complaining tone, often reflecting dissatisfaction or hesitation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective/Adverb:
- Anh ta cứ nhấm nhẳng mãi, không biết nên đồng ý hay từ chối. (He keeps blowing hot and cold, not knowing whether to agree or refuse.)
- Đừng có nhấm nhẳng nữa, hãy nói rõ ý kiến của mình đi. (Stop being so indecisive; please state your opinion clearly.)
- Cô ấy nhấm nhẳng vài câu rồi bỏ đi. (She muttered a few grumbling words and then left.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to criticize a lack of decisiveness or clarity in communication and action. It implies a degree of annoyance or frustration felt by others towards the subject's inconsistent behavior.
Variants and Related Words
- Lưỡng lự (v): to hesitate, to be undecided.
- Anh ấy lưỡng lự trước nhiều lựa chọn. (He hesitated before many choices.)
- Ứ ờ (v): to hem and haw, to speak with hesitation.
- Cứ ứ ờ mãi, trả lời dứt khoát đi! (Stop hemming and hawing; give a definite answer!)
Synonyms
- Vacillate: To waver between different opinions or actions.
- Hesitate: To pause before saying or doing something because of uncertainty.
- Mutter: To speak in a low, indistinct voice, often in complaint.
- Shuffle (figurative): To act evasively or indecisively.
Related Idioms
- Nước đôi: To be ambiguous, to sit on the fence.
- Lời nói nước đôi của anh ta khiến mọi người bối rối. (His ambiguous statements confused everyone.)
- Ba phải: To be a yes-man, to agree with everyone without a firm stance.
- Tính ba phải ấy chẳng giúp ích được gì. (That wishy-washy attitude is of no help.)
- Blow hot and cold, shuffle
- Nên dứt khoát đừng nhấm nhẳngMake up your mind for good and stop shuffling