rình rập
Definition
Verb:
- To lie in wait: To hide and wait secretly for someone or something, usually with the intent to attack, ambush, or catch them by surprise.
- To lurk / to be on the watch: To follow or watch someone or something stealthily and persistently, often implying a constant, threatening presence.
Verb (figurative):
- To loom / to stalk: Used to describe a constant, hidden danger or threat (like a disease, crisis, or disaster) that seems to be ever-present and waiting to happen.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con hổ rình rập con mồi. (The tiger lies in wait for its prey.)
- Tên trộm rình rập trong bóng tối. (The thief lurks in the darkness.)
- Nguy hiểm luôn rình rập phía trước. (Danger is always looming ahead.)
Advanced Usage
- "rình rập theo dõi": to stalk, to shadow someone closely and secretly.
- Anh ta bị một kẻ lạ mặt rình rập theo dõi. (He is being stalked by a stranger.)
Variants and Related Words
Rình (v): to peek, to spy, to watch stealthily (often for a shorter period or a specific moment).
- Đứa bé rình mẹ về. (The child peeks, waiting for mom to come home.)
Rập (v, less common alone): This element often combines with "rình" to intensify the meaning, suggesting a repeated, encircling, or pressing-in action.
Synonyms
- Lurk: To wait hidden and motionless, often with harmful intent.
- Stalk: To pursue or approach prey or a person stealthily.
- Ambush: To lie in wait for a surprise attack.
- Prowl: To move around quietly, especially when hunting or searching.
Related Idioms
Rình rập như mèo rình chuột: To stalk/lie in wait like a cat watching a mouse. Describes very patient, stealthy, and focused watching before striking.
- Hắn rình rập đối thủ như mèo rình chuột. (He stalks his opponent like a cat watching a mouse.)
Nguy cơ rình rập: A looming/stalking danger.
- Nguy cơ dịch bệnh vẫn đang rình rập. (The danger of an epidemic is still looming.)
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Lie in wait, be on the watch
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Trộm rình rập suốt đêmBurglars were on the watch throughout the night
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