Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic):
   • To draw from the centre: To pull something out from the middle or core of an object, such as yarn from the centre of a ball.
   • To overexert oneself: To make an extreme, often painful, effort; to strain oneself to the utmost to achieve something.
   • To worm out / to squeeze money out: To extract money from someone through persistent pressure or manipulation, often causing them financial strain.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy rút ruột một cuộn len để đan. (She draws the yarn from the centre of a wool ball to knit.)
  • Anh ấy rút ruột ra mà làm để hoàn thành dự án đúng hạn. (He overexerts himself to complete the project on time.)
  • Bọn lừa đảo rút ruột các nạn nhân bằng thủ đoạn tinh vi. (The scammers squeeze money out of their victims with sophisticated tricks.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is highly figurative. The core image is of extracting something vital from the innermost part, which is then applied to effort, resources, or money.
• It often carries a negative connotation of depletion, strain, or exploitation.

Variants and Related Words

• Rút ruột tằm (v): Literally "to draw the silk from a silkworm"; means to exploit or extract something completely, leaving nothing behind.
  • Chế độ thuế khắc nghiệt như kiểu rút ruột tằm. (The harsh tax regime is like squeezing out every last bit.)

Synonyms

• To extract: To remove or take out, especially with effort.
• To strain oneself: To make a strenuous effort.
• To bleed dry: To take all of someone's money, usually over time (for the financial meaning).

Related Idioms

• Rút ruột ra mà trả: To pay with great difficulty or financial strain, as if pulling the money from one's core.
  • Phải rút ruột ra mà trả khoản nợ đó. (I had to squeeze the money out from my very core to pay that debt.)

1. Draw from the centre
   • Rút ruột một cuộn len
     To draw a yarn of wool from the centre of the ball
2. Overexert oneself
   • Rút ruột ra mà làm
     To overexert oneself in doing something
3. Worm, squeeze money out