Definition

1. Verb:

   • To glower; to scowl: To stare with wide, angry, or threatening eyes, expressing anger, displeasure, or a menacing attitude.

2. Adverb (literary):

   • Dazzlingly; with a sharp, bright flash: Used to describe something that shines or glints intensely and brightly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Ông ấy quắc mắt nhìn kẻ làm phiền. (He glowered at the intruder.)
  • Bà ta chỉ quắc mắt lên, mọi người đều im lặng. (She just scowled, and everyone fell silent.)

• Adverb:

  • Ánh đèn pha chiếu sáng quắc. (The headlight shone dazzlingly.)
  • Lưỡi dao lóe lên sáng quắc. (The knife blade flashed, shining brightly.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb quắc is almost exclusively used in relation to the eyes (quắc mắt). It describes a sudden, powerful, and intense look, often used in literary or dramatic contexts to convey strong emotion or command authority.

Variants and Related Words

• Quắc thước (adj): An adjective describing someone (usually elderly) who looks vigorous, upright, and authoritative in appearance and demeanor.
  • Cụ già trông rất quắc thước. (The old man looks very vigorous and commanding.)

Synonyms

• Verb: To glare, to scowl, to glower.
• Adverb: Dazzlingly, glaringly, brightly, sharply (of light).

Related Idioms

• Quắc mắt lên: To glare/scowl (an intensified form).

  • Nghe câu nói đó, anh ta quắc mắt lên. (Hearing that remark, he glared fiercely.)

• Mắt quắc lên: His/Her eyes flashed (with anger).

  • Mắt ông chủ quắc lên đầy tức giận. (The boss's eyes flashed with great anger.)

verb

1. to glower; to scowl
   • quắc mắt nhìn ai
     to glower at someone

adv

1. dazzingly
   • lưỡi gươm sáng quắc
     a dazzingly shining sword