Definition

Verb: - To drive out, to expel, to kick out: To force someone to leave a place, often in a rude, abrupt, or decisive manner. It implies a lack of ceremony and a desire to get rid of the person quickly.

Usage

The verb tống cổ is used to describe the act of expelling someone. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the action is done forcefully, angrily, or without politeness. - It is typically followed by a location or destination (e.g., ra khỏi... - out of...). - It is commonly used in informal or colloquial contexts.

Examples

• Động từ (Verb):
  • Anh chủ quán đã tống cổ tên say rượu ra khỏi quán bar. (The bar owner kicked the drunkard out of the bar.)
  • Bố mẹ cô ấy đe dọa sẽ tống cổ cô ra khỏi nhà nếu cô không chịu học hành. (Her parents threatened to throw her out of the house if she didn't study.)
  • Ông giám đốc tống cổ viên thư ký bất tài ngay lập tức. (The director expelled the incompetent secretary immediately.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• Tống cổ emphasizes the decisiveness and often the roughness of the expulsion. It is stronger and more vivid than neutral terms like (to chase away).
• It can be used hyperbolically or humorously among friends, though it still retains its core meaning of forceful removal.
  • Thôi, tống cổ nó ra ngoài cho tôi yên tĩnh! (Alright, kick him out so I can have some peace!)

Variants and Related Words

• Đuổi (verb): To chase away, to expel. This is a more general and neutral term.
• Trục xuất (verb): To deport, to banish (often used in official/legal contexts like deporting a foreign national).
• Xua đuổi (verb): To drive away (can be used for people or animals).

Synonyms

• Đuổi đi: To chase away.
• Quẳng đi / Ném đi: To throw away (figuratively, for people).
• Thải hồi: To dismiss, to discharge (from a job).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Tống cổ ra khỏi cửa: To drive someone out the door. This phrase reinforces the imagery of physical expulsion from a building or home.
  • Hắn bị tống cổ ra khỏi cửa vì không trả tiền thuê nhà. (He was driven out the door for not paying rent.)

verb

1. to drive out, to expel