Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To side with the powerful/influential: To support, align with, or take the side of those who are currently in a position of power, influence, or prosperity, often for personal gain or safety.
   • To be an opportunist (in a social/political context): To follow and support whichever group or individual is currently dominant or thriving.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trong thời loạn, nhiều kẻ chỉ biết phù thịnh để bảo vệ bản thân. (In times of turmoil, many people only know how to side with the powerful to protect themselves.)
  • Ông ta không có chính kiến, suốt đời chỉ biết phù thịnh. (He has no political stance; his whole life has been about siding with the influential.)
  • Hành động phù thịnh ấy khiến anh mất đi sự tôn trọng của đồng nghiệp. (That act of siding with the powerful caused him to lose his colleagues' respect.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used with a negative connotation to criticize a lack of principle, moral cowardice, or opportunism.
  • Thái độ phù thịnh trước thời cuộc là biểu hiện của sự xu nịnh. (The attitude of siding with the powerful in the face of current affairs is a manifestation of sycophancy.)
• Can describe a historical or political phenomenon.
  • Đó là một giai đoạn mà tư tưởng phù thịnh lên ngôi. (That was a period when the ideology of siding with the powerful reigned supreme.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xu phụ (Verb): To fawn upon, to flatter the powerful. This is a stronger, more explicit synonym focusing on servile behavior.
• Cơ hội (Noun/Adj): Opportunist(ic). While broader, it shares the core idea of exploiting circumstances, which is central to "phù thịnh".
• Nịnh bợ (Verb): To flatter, to butter up. Describes the action often associated with "phù thịnh".

Synonyms

• Theo phe kẻ mạnh: To follow the strong party.
• Xu nịnh quyền thế: To flatter those in power.
• Nương theo thế lực: To lean on/attach oneself to a powerful force.

Related Idioms

• "Gió chiều nào che chiều ấy": Literally "Shelter from whichever direction the wind blows," meaning to be an opportunist, to adapt one's stance to whoever is currently winning. This idiom perfectly captures the spirit of "phù thịnh".
• "Cá lớn nuốt cá bé" / "Mạnh được yếu thua": "Big fish eat small fish" / "The strong win, the weak lose." These idioms describe the environment or worldview that often leads to "phù thịnh" behavior.

1. Take sides with (support) the influential people