quắp đuôi
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To tuck its tail between its legs: Describes the physical action of an animal, most commonly a dog, curling its tail underneath its body and between its hind legs. This posture is a universal sign of fear, submission, defeat, or pain.
- To be cowed / to be submissive: Used figuratively to describe a person or group that has been thoroughly intimidated, defeated, or humiliated, causing them to adopt a submissive, cowering, or retreating attitude.
Usage Examples
Literal (Animal Behavior):
- Con chó bị đánh liền quắp đuôi chạy mất. (The dog, once hit, tucked its tail between its legs and ran away.)
- Nghe tiếng sét, con chó sợ hãi quắp đuôi vào gầm bàn. (Hearing the thunder, the frightened dog tucked its tail between its legs and hid under the table.)
Figurative (Human Behavior):
- Sau trận thua thảm hại, đội khách quắp đuôi rời sân. (After the crushing defeat, the visiting team left the field with their tails between their legs.)
- Kẻ bắt nạt ấy cuối cùng cũng quắp đuôi xin lỗi. (That bully finally tucked his tail between his legs and apologized.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost exclusively used to describe a complete and obvious change from a state of confidence, aggression, or arrogance to one of abject defeat or fear. It emphasizes a visible, often public, loss of face or status.
Variants and Related Words
- Cụp đuôi: A near-synonymous verb phrase with the same literal and figurative meanings. "Quắp" often implies a more active, curled tucking, while "cụp" suggests a drooping or folding down.
- Đối thủ đã cụp đuôi rút lui. (The opponent tucked tail and withdrew.)
Synonyms
- To be cowed: To be subdued by fear or intimidation.
- To be humbled: To be made to feel less important or proud.
- To retreat in disgrace: To withdraw after a failure, accompanied by shame.
Related Idioms
Chạy mất dép: To run away in great panic (often used in sequence with "quắp đuôi").
- Nó quắp đuôi chạy mất dép. (He tucked his tail between his legs and ran off in a panic, losing his sandals.)
Xin hàng: To surrender, to throw in the towel.
- Không đánh nổi, hắn đành quắp đuôi xin hàng. (Unable to fight on, he had no choice but to tuck his tail and surrender.)