núp bóng
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To shelter under someone's shadow: To rely on the protection, influence, or authority of a powerful person or entity for safety or personal gain.
- To hide behind someone: To use another person's status or power as a shield to avoid responsibility, danger, or difficulty.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Hắn ta thành công chỉ vì biết núp bóng ông chủ. (He succeeded only because he knew how to shelter under the boss's shadow.)
- Công ty nhỏ ấy núp bóng một tập đoàn lớn để tồn tại. (That small company shelters under the shadow of a large corporation to survive.)
- Đừng núp bóng người khác, hãy tự chịu trách nhiệm. (Don't hide behind others; take responsibility yourself.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a slightly negative or dependent connotation, implying a lack of independence or courage.
- It can be used in political, social, or business contexts to describe patronage, nepotism, or covert protection.
Variants and Related Words
- Núp (v): to crouch, to take cover, to hide. This is the core verb meaning "to hide physically."
- Che chở (v): to protect, to shelter. This is a more direct and positive term for providing protection.
Synonyms
- To take shelter under: To seek protection from.
- To rely on the patronage of: To depend on the support of a patron.
- To be under the wing of: To be protected or guided by someone more experienced or powerful.
Related Idioms
- Núp bóng cờ đảng: To hide behind the party's flag. This specific idiom criticizes using a powerful organization's authority as a shield for questionable actions.
- Họ không có tài năng thực sự, chỉ biết núp bóng cờ đảng. (They have no real talent, they only know how to hide behind the party's flag.)