Definition

1. Noun:

   • Flatfish: A type of marine fish characterized by a flattened body and both eyes located on one side of the head, typically living on the sea floor. This is the primary zoological meaning.
   • Sole: Often used specifically to refer to fish of the sole family, which are a type of flatfish valued as food.

2. Idiomatic Expression (Verb phrase):

   • To accept with resignation; to submit completely: A figurative usage derived from the fish's characteristic of lying flat on one side, implying passive acceptance or being forced to yield.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Món cá thờn bơn nướng rất ngon. (Grilled flatfish is very delicious.)
  • Ngư dân đánh bắt được nhiều thờn bơn. (The fishermen caught a lot of sole.)

• Idiomatic Expression:

  • Cuối cùng, hắn cũng phải thờn bơn chịu ép một bề. (In the end, he also had to submit completely.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiomatic phrase "thờn bơn chịu ép một bề" is fixed and almost exclusively used to describe a situation where one has no choice but to endure pressure or yield unconditionally.

Variants and Related Words

• Cá thờn bơn (n): This is the more common full term, where "cá" means fish. It specifies the creature as a fish.
  • Cá thờn bơn sống ở đáy biển. (Flatfish live on the seabed.)

Synonyms

• Flatfish: The general biological term.
• Sole: A common type of flatfish.
• Flounder: Another type of flatfish, sometimes used interchangeably in a culinary context.

Related Idioms

• Thờn bơn chịu ép một bề: To be forced to accept an unfavorable situation without complaint; to be completely subdued.
  • Trước sức ép đó, công ty đành thờn bơn chịu ép một bề. (Under that pressure, the company had no choice but to submit completely.)