rình mò
Definition
- Verb:
- To lurk: To wait or move in a secretive and hidden manner, often with the intention of observing others without being seen, typically to find an opportunity to do something harmful or to gather information stealthily.
- To spy on / to watch furtively: To observe someone or something secretly and stealthily, usually with a negative or malicious intent.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Kẻ trộm rình mò quanh nhà. (The thief lurked around the house.)
- Mật thám rình mò các nhà cách mạng. (The spy was watching the revolutionaries furtively.)
- Con mèo rình mò con chuột. (The cat is stalking the mouse.)
Advanced Usage
- The word strongly implies a patient, secretive, and often threatening observation. It is not used for casual watching but specifically for stealthy observation with an ulterior, usually negative, motive.
Variants and Related Words
- Rình (v): to lie in wait, to ambush. This is the core component meaning "to lie in wait." adds the nuance of stealthy investigation or prying.
- Mò mẫm (v): to grope around, to feel one's way. Shares the root "mò" implying searching, but without the stealthy "rình" component.
Synonyms
- Lurk: To wait hidden and motionless.
- Stalk: To pursue or approach stealthily.
- Snoop: To look around secretly to find out information.
- Prowl: To move around quietly in a place, especially with an intent to commit a crime.
Related Idioms
- Rình rập: This is a very close synonym, also meaning to lie in wait or stalk, often used interchangeably with .
- Kẻ thù đang rình rập chúng ta. (The enemy is lying in wait for us.)
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Lurk, watch for
