Definition

1. Idiom (Thành ngữ):
   • To relapse from force of habit; to develop a taste for repeating a (bad) action: The phrase "quen mui" describes the phenomenon where, after experiencing something (often negative or illicit) once, a person becomes accustomed to it and is inclined or tempted to do it again. It implies a slide into a habitual pattern, particularly for undesirable behaviors.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Ăn cắp quen mui. (To relapse into stealing from force of habit. / Once you've stolen, you get a taste for it.)
  • Nó quen mui nói dối rồi. (He has developed a taste for lying. / Lying has become a habit for him.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom often carries a moral judgment and is primarily used to criticize the repetition of bad habits or vices (e.g., stealing, lying, gambling, cheating). It suggests the action becomes easier or more tempting after the first time.

Variants and Related Words

• Quen thói (Idiom): To be accustomed to a (bad) habit; to be set in one's ways.

  • Anh ta quen thói đi trễ. (He is in the habit of arriving late.)

• Quen tay (Idiom): To be accustomed to doing something through practice (can be neutral or negative).

  • Làm việc đó quen tay rồi. (I'm used to doing that work now. / My hand is accustomed to it.)

Synonyms

• To become habitual: To turn into a regular practice.
• To acquire a taste for (something bad): To begin to like something undesirable.
• To backslide: To relapse into previous bad behavior.

Related Idioms

• Quen mùi quen vị: An extended form emphasizing complete familiarity and acquired taste for something.

  • Cứ gian lận mãi thành quen mùi quen vị. (Cheating repeatedly makes you accustomed to the taste of it.)

• Chứng nào tật nấy: Old habits die hard; literally "the same ailment, the same bad habit."

  • Anh ấy hứa sửa nhưng chứng nào tật nấy. (He promised to change, but old habits die hard.)

1. Relapse from force of habit
   • Ăn cắp quen mui
     To relapse into stealing force of habit