Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic, informal):
   • To speak up in protest; to raise one's voice in objection: To verbally object or complain, often in a defensive or confrontational manner when one feels criticized or accused, even if no direct criticism was made.
   • To retort; to talk back: To reply sharply or defiantly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ai nói gì anh mà ra mồm? (Why are you protesting? Nobody said anything about you.)
  • Chưa ai phê bình cô ấy, nhưng cô ấy đã ra mồm phản đối. (No one had criticized her yet, but she already spoke up in protest.)
  • Đừng có ra mồm khi người lớn đang nói chuyện. (Don't talk back when the adults are speaking.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in rhetorical questions to chide someone for being unnecessarily defensive or argumentative. It implies the person's verbal reaction is premature, unwarranted, or excessive.

Variants and Related Words

• Ra miệng: A less common variant with identical meaning and usage.
• Cãi lại (v): to argue back, to talk back. (A more direct synonym for the "retort" aspect.)
• Phản đối (v): to oppose, to protest. (A more formal, general term for objecting.)

Synonyms

• Protest: to express an objection to what someone has said or done.
• Object: to say something to express disapproval or opposition.
• Retort: to answer someone quickly in an angry or witty way.

Related Idioms

• Nhạy cảm quá đỗi: to be overly sensitive. (This describes a potential reason for "ra mồm.")
• Chưa đánh đã chạy: Literally "to run before being hit"; to react prematurely to a perceived threat. (This idiom shares a similar concept of an unnecessary defensive reaction.)

1. Raise one's voice against (in protest)
   • Ai nói gì anh mà ra mồm
     Why do you protest? Nobody has said anything against you