Definition

1. Verb (slang, often pejorative):
   • To slip one's head in; to bury one's head: To physically lower or hide one's head, often into something like a pillow, one's arms, or a confined space, typically to avoid being seen, to sleep, or due to distress.
   • To be at a loss; to not know where to turn: An idiomatic extension meaning to be utterly confused, overwhelmed, or not know what to do next, as if one doesn't know where to put one's head.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó rúc đầu vào gối để ngủ. (He buried his head in the pillow to sleep.)
  • Sau thất bại, anh ta chỉ muốn rúc đầu vào một góc. (After the failure, he just wanted to hide his head in a corner.)
  • Công việc hỗn độn quá, tôi không biết rúc đầu về đâu. (The work is too chaotic; I don't know where to turn.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in its negative, figurative form "không biết rúc đầu về đâu" (to not know where to put one's head), which is a direct calque from the French idiom This emphasizes a state of extreme confusion or having too many problems to handle.

Variants and Related Words

• Rúc (v): To curl up; to huddle; to burrow. This is the root verb, often used for animals or people hiding or nestling into a small, cozy, or concealed space.
  • Con mèo rúc vào trong hộp. (The cat curled up inside the box.)

Synonyms

• To bury one's head: To hide one's face by pressing it into something.
• To be bewildered: To be completely puzzled or confused.
• To be overwhelmed: To be buried under a great amount of things, especially problems.

Related Idioms

• Không biết rúc đầu về đâu: To be at one's wits' end; to not know which way to turn.
  • Có quá nhiều vấn đề phải giải quyết, tôi thực sự không biết rúc đầu về đâu. (There are too many problems to solve; I really don't know where to turn.)

1. (xấu) Slip one's head in