Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To provide against all eventualities; to keep at hand for eventual use: The phrase "phòng hờ" describes the action of preparing for possible future events or needs by having something ready in advance. It implies a cautious or preventive measure.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi mua thêm một ít thuốc để phòng hờ. (I bought some extra medicine to have on hand just in case.)
  • Anh ấy luôn để dành một khoản tiền phòng hờ. (He always sets aside a sum of money for contingencies.)
  • Chúng ta nên có kế hoạch phòng hờ cho mọi tình huống. (We should have a contingency plan for all situations.)

Advanced Usage

• "phòng hờ" as a concept of preparedness: Often used to describe a mindset or strategy of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
  • Tư duy phòng hờ rất quan trọng trong quản lý rủi ro. (A precautionary mindset is very important in risk management.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dự phòng (Verb/Noun): To reserve; a reserve. This is a more formal synonym often used in technical or financial contexts.
  • quỹ dự phòng (reserve fund)
• Phòng ngừa (Verb): To prevent, to take preventive measures. Focuses more on averting a negative event rather than just being prepared for it.
  • phòng ngừa cháy nổ (fire and explosion prevention)

Synonyms

• Để dành (cho lúc cần): To save/store (for when needed). A more casual phrase.
• Chuẩn bị sẵn: To prepare in advance.
• Phòng bị: To prepare, to make preparations (often for defense or a specific event).

Related Phrases (No direct phrasal verb equivalent in Vietnamese)

• Làm phòng hờ: To do something as a precaution. This construction emphasizes the action.
  • Tôi in thêm một bản tài liệu làm phòng hờ. (I printed an extra copy of the document as a precaution.)

Related Idioms

• "Thả trôi sông, phòng khi lụt": Literally "Release [rafts] to the river, in case of a flood." This idiom conveys a similar meaning of preparing something in advance for a potential future need. It suggests proactive, early preparation.
  • Anh đầu tư vào nhiều lĩnh vực khác nhau, đúng là thả trôi sông phòng khi lụt. (He invests in many different fields, truly a case of preparing rafts before the flood.)

1. Provide against all eventualities; keep at hand for eventual usẹ