Definition

1. Verb (archaic/colloquial):
   • To do something perfunctorily or merely to get it over with: To perform an action in a careless, superficial, or half-hearted manner, just to fulfill an obligation or to settle a matter without genuine effort or care.
   • To settle for something as a stopgap: To accept or choose something as a temporary or unsatisfactory solution, simply to move past a situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trời mưa nước chảy qua sân, Tôi lấy ông lão qua lần mà thôi. (It rains, water flows across the yard, I married that old man just to get it over with.)
  • Anh ấy không thích công việc này, chỉ làm qua lần cho xong. (He doesn't like this job, he's only doing it perfunctorily to finish it.)
  • Đừng học qua lần như vậy, kỳ thi rất quan trọng. (Don't study so carelessly like that; the exam is very important.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a connotation of reluctance, dissatisfaction, or lack of commitment regarding the action being performed. It implies a sense of "just going through the motions."

Variants and Related Words

• Làm qua loa (v): to do something hastily and superficially.
  • Cô ấy dọn dẹp qua loa trước khi khách đến. (She cleaned up hastily before the guests arrived.)
• Chiếu lệ (adj/adv): done as a mere formality or for the sake of appearance.
  • Buổi họp chỉ diễn ra một cách chiếu lệ. (The meeting took place merely as a formality.)

Synonyms

• To do perfunctorily: To carry out a duty in a routine or indifferent manner.
• To skimp on: To expend less time or effort than is required.
• To get something over with: To complete an unpleasant task quickly.

Related Idioms

• Qua chuyện: to let a matter pass, to consider it settled (often without proper resolution).
  • Họ muốn bắt tay và coi như qua chuyện. (They want to shake hands and consider the matter settled.)
• Cầu được ước thấy: (Contextual contrast) This idiom means "wishes come true," highlighting the opposite of settling for something unsatisfactory as with "qua lần."