thoái thủ
Definition
- Verb:
- To withdraw to defend / to retreat defensively: A military or strategic term meaning to pull back forces to a more secure position to prepare for or to conduct a defense. It implies a tactical retreat, not a rout.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Quân đội quyết định thoái thủ về phía sau ngọn đồi. (The army decided to withdraw defensively to behind the hill.)
- Chiến thuật thoái thủ giúp bảo toàn lực lượng. (The tactic of defensive retreat helps to preserve forces.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily used in formal, literary, or historical contexts, often related to military strategy or structured conflict. It is not common in everyday conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Thoái lui (v): to retreat, to withdraw. This is a more general term for withdrawal and is more commonly used than "thoái thủ."
- Địch buộc phải thoái lui. (The enemy was forced to retreat.)
Synonyms
- Retreat defensively: to pull back for the purpose of defense.
- Fall back: to move back to a previous position.
Related Idioms
- No common idioms specifically use "thoái thủ." The concept is typically expressed directly.