tai vách mạch rừng

Definition

Idiom (Thành ngữ): - Walls have ears, forests have paths: A proverb meaning that even seemingly private or secret matters can be discovered. It warns that there are no perfect secrets, as walls can have cracks to hear through, and dense forests have hidden paths through which information can travel.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Cẩn thận khi nói chuyện, tai vách mạch rừng đấy. (Be careful when talking; walls have ears, forests have paths.)
  • Đừng bàn chuyện đó ở đây. Nhớ rằng tai vách mạch rừng. (Don't discuss that matter here. Remember, walls have ears, forests have paths.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is often used as a complete sentence or a standalone warning to advise discretion, implying that one should assume they are always potentially being overheard or observed.

Variants and Related Words

• Vách có tai: A shorter, related phrase meaning "walls have ears," conveying a similar warning about being overheard.

Synonyms

• Walls have ears: The closest English equivalent idiom.
• Loose lips sink ships: An English idiom warning that careless talk can cause disasters.
• There are no secrets: A direct phrase conveying the core meaning.

Related Idioms

• Đất có thổ công, sông có hà bá: An idiom meaning "the land has its local god, the river has its river god," used to warn that every place has its own rules or authorities, and one should be mindful. It shares the thematic idea of unseen presence or oversight.