Definition

1. Adverb:
   • At full length: Describes the state of lying stretched out flat on the ground or a surface, completely prone and motionless, often due to being knocked down or falling heavily.

Usage

• The word sóng sượt is used to vividly depict a person or animal lying completely flat, stretched out, and unable to move, typically after a forceful fall, a physical struggle, or being knocked unconscious.
• It emphasizes the completeness of the prone position and the lack of movement.
• It is often used in descriptive narratives.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ta bị đối thủ vật ngã sóng sượt trên sàn đấu. (He was thrown down at full length on the mat by his opponent.)
  • Sau cú ngã từ trên cây, nó nằm sóng sượt dưới đất một lúc lâu. (After falling from the tree, it lay stretched out flat on the ground for a long time.)
  • Cơn gió mạnh thổi bay anh ấy, khiến anh nằm sóng sượt trên bãi cỏ. (The strong wind blew him over, leaving him lying flat out on the lawn.)

Advanced Usage

• "nằm sóng sượt": This is the most common collocation, meaning "to lie stretched out flat."
  • Sau trận đánh nhau, cả hai đều nằm sóng sượt, không nhúc nhích. (After the fight, both were lying flat out, not moving a muscle.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sóng soài: This is a close synonym, also an adverb, with a very similar meaning of lying sprawled out or stretched out. The usage is often interchangeable, though sóng sượt can sometimes imply a more forceful or helpless state.
  • Đứa bé ngủ sóng soài trên giường. (The child was sleeping sprawled out on the bed.)

Synonyms

• Bất tỉnh nhân sự: Unconscious (emphasizes the state of being knocked out, which may accompany lying ).
• Nằm dài: To lie at length (less forceful, can be voluntary or for relaxation).
• Nằm vật ra: To collapse and lie down (implies exhaustion or giving up).

Related Idioms

• While sóng sượt itself is not typically part of a larger idiom, the image it creates is powerful. A related descriptive phrase is:
  • "Ngã sóng sượt": To fall flat (in a heavy, motionless manner).

    • Nó ngã sóng sượt xuống đất vì trượt chân. (He fell flat to the ground because he slipped.)

adverb

1. at full length