Definition

1. Verb:
   • To tighten armor: The primary meaning of "thúc giáp" is the act of fastening or tightening the straps and bindings of a suit of armor, preparing it for battle or wear.
   • To prepare for battle: By extension, it describes the final, urgent preparations made by soldiers before combat, specifically involving donning and securing their armor.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Quân lính đang vội vàng thúc giáp trước trận đánh. (The soldiers are hastily tightening their armor before the battle.)
  • Tướng quân ra lệnh thúc giáp ngay lập tức. (The general ordered them to secure their armor immediately.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is almost exclusively used in historical or literary contexts, particularly when describing scenes from feudal warfare or in historical novels.

Variants and Related Words

• Giáp (n): armor.

  • Vị tướng mặc một bộ giáp sáng loáng. (The general wore a set of gleaming armor.)

• Mặc giáp (v): to don/put on armor.

  • Binh sĩ bắt đầu mặc giáp từ sáng sớm. (The soldiers began putting on their armor early in the morning.)

Synonyms

• To gird (for battle): To prepare oneself for a conflict or struggle.
• To armor up: An informal modern equivalent meaning to put on protective gear or prepare mentally for a challenge.

Related Idioms

• While "thúc giáp" itself is not commonly part of a modern idiom, the concept is related to the phrase "chuẩn bị khẩn trương" (to prepare urgently).
  • Cả đội đang chuẩn bị khẩn trương như thúc giáp trước trận chung kết. (The whole team is preparing urgently, like tightening armor before the final match.)