sửa lưng
Definition
- Verb (slang, vulgar):
- To teach someone a lesson / to punish physically: The primary meaning is to inflict physical punishment or a beating on someone as a form of retribution or correction. It implies a violent, often humiliating, act intended to "straighten someone out."
- To get revenge / to settle a score: It can also mean to take revenge on someone for a previous wrong, typically through physical means.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Tên côn đồ đó cần được sửa lưng. (That hooligan needs to be taught a lesson.)
- Nó dám nói xấu tôi, tôi sẽ sửa lưng nó. (He dared to badmouth me; I will settle the score with him.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is highly informal and aggressive. It is commonly used in confrontational speech, threats, or narratives about street justice. It is not used in formal or polite contexts.
Variants and Related Words
Dạy cho một bài học (v): to teach a lesson (a less vulgar alternative).
- Cảnh sát sẽ dạy cho bọn tội phạm một bài học. (The police will teach the criminals a lesson.)
Trả thù (v): to take revenge.
- Hắn trả thù kẻ đã phản bội mình. (He took revenge on the person who betrayed him.)
Synonyms
- To beat up: to hit someone repeatedly.
- To discipline: to punish in order to correct behavior (less violent connotation).
- To get even with: to take revenge.
Related Idioms
Cho ăn đòn: to give a beating.
- Bố nó cho ăn đòn vì tội nói dối. (His father gave him a beating for lying.)
Dằn mặt: to warn or intimidate someone by showing power.
- Băng nhóm đó đi dằn mặt đối thủ. (That gang went to intimidate their rivals.)