Definition

Verb phrase: - To turn on one's heels: To turn around abruptly, typically to leave a place or situation immediately, often showing a sudden change of mind, disappointment, or a desire to depart.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ấy lập tức quay gót bỏ đi. (Upon hearing that news, he immediately turned on his heels and left.)
  • Sau khi bị từ chối, cô ấy quay gót rời khỏi phòng mà không nói thêm lời nào. (After being rejected, she turned on her heels and left the room without another word.)
  • Không tìm thấy chìa khóa, tôi đành quay gót về nhà. (Not finding the key, I had to turn on my heels and go home.)

Advanced Usage

• "quay gót làm thinh": To turn on one's heels and remain silent (to leave without a word, often in protest or anger).
  • Bất bình với quyết định, ông chủ tịch quay gót làm thinh rời cuộc họp. (Displeased with the decision, the chairman turned on his heels and left the meeting in silence.)

Variants and Related Words

• Quay lưng (verb phrase): To turn one's back (on someone/something). This implies rejection or abandonment, not just a physical turn.
  • Anh ta đã quay lưng với gia đình mình. (He turned his back on his family.)
• Ngoảnh mặt (verb): To turn one's face away. This focuses on averting one's gaze or attention.
  • Cô ấy ngoảnh mặt đi, không muốn nhìn thấy cảnh tượng đó. (She turned her face away, not wanting to see that scene.)

Synonyms

• Bỏ đi (verb phrase): To leave, to walk away.
• Rời đi (verb phrase): To depart, to leave.
• Xoay người (verb phrase): To turn one's body (a more neutral physical description).

Related Idioms

• "Quay đầu là bờ": Literally "turning one's head (back) is the shore." This idiom means it's never too late to repent, change one's ways, or return to the right path. It conveys a positive change of direction, unlike the sudden departure implied by "quay gót."
  • Dù đã sai lầm, nhưng quay đầu là bờ, anh ấy vẫn có cơ hội sửa chữa. (Even though he made mistakes, it's never too late to turn back; he still has a chance to make amends.)

1. Turn on one's heels