Definition

1. Verb (Technical/Mechanical):
   • To remove a pin or cotter pin: The primary meaning refers to the action of extracting a small, typically metal, pin or bolt (a "chốt") that is used to secure parts of a mechanism, often to allow for disassembly or release.
   • To unpin / to unbolt: To detach or free something by taking out its securing pin or bolt.
   • To release a safety or locking mechanism: In broader contexts, it can mean to deactivate a safety device or lock by removing its key pin.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trước khi tháo động cơ, cần phải tháo chốt an toàn. (Before removing the engine, you must remove the safety pin.)
  • Kỹ thuật viên tháo chốt để lấy bánh xe ra. (The technician removed the cotter pin to take the wheel off.)
  • Anh ấy tháo chốt quả lựu đạn. (He pulled the pin from the grenade.)

Advanced Usage

• Military/Weaponry Context: Often used specifically for disarming explosive devices or grenades by removing the safety pin.
  • Việc tháo chốt cần được thực hiện với cực kỳ cẩn thận. (The unpinning must be done with extreme care.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chốt (Noun): A pin, bolt, cotter pin, or latch.

  • Chiếc chốt này đã bị gỉ. (This pin is rusty.)

• Tháo (Verb): To disassemble, to take apart, to remove.

  • Họ cần tháo toàn bộ hệ thống. (They need to disassemble the entire system.)

Synonyms

• Unpin: To remove a pin.
• Extract the pin: To take out the pin.
• Release the catch: To disengage a locking mechanism.

Related Idioms

• Tháo chốt an toàn: Literally "to remove the safety pin"; can be used metaphorically to mean removing safeguards or precautions, potentially leading to a risky situation.
  • Chính sách mới như kiểu tháo chốt an toàn cho thị trường. (The new policy is like removing the safety pin for the market.)