Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Helter-skelter; in a disorderly and panicked rout: Describes a state of chaotic, scattered, and panicked dispersal, typically of a group of people or animals fleeing in all directions due to extreme fear or a sudden collapse of order.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Quân địch chạy tán loạn. (The enemy troops fled helter-skelter.)
  • Nghe tiếng nổ, đám đông hoảng sợ chạy tán loạn. (Hearing the explosion, the terrified crowd ran off in a disorderly rout.)
  • Lũ chuột vỡ tổ chạy tán loạn. (The rats, their nest destroyed, scattered in panic.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "tán loạn" is almost exclusively used as a complement to verbs of motion like "chạy" (to run), "tháo chạy" (to flee), or "rút chạy" (to retreat), intensifying the image of a complete, panic-stricken breakdown of formation or order.

Variants and Related Words

• Tán loạn functions primarily as an adjective in this adverbial context. There are no common verb or noun variants of this specific compound word.

Synonyms

• In disarray: Lacking organization or order.
• In a panicked rout: Fleeing in a disorderly and defeated mass.
• Scattered in confusion: Dispersed chaotically.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chạy tán loạn: The most common collocation, meaning "to flee in a disorderly and panicked manner."
  • Cuộc rút chạy tán loạn của quân đội. (The army's helter-skelter retreat.)
• Tháo chạy tán loạn: To flee hastily and in complete disorder.
  • Chúng tháo chạy tán loạn sau khi tướng của chúng tử trận. (They fled in a panicked rout after their general was killed in battle.)

adj

1. helter skelter