thị thế

Lý trưởng thị thế ăn hiếp nông dân.

Definition

1. Verb (archaic):
   • To wield one's power; to use one's authority or influence in an overbearing manner. This term describes the act of leveraging one's official position, social standing, or connections to assert dominance, often in a coercive or oppressive way.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Lý trưởng thị thế ăn hiếp nông dân. (The village chief wielded his power to bully the peasants.)
  • Hắn ta thường thị thế của cha mình để đe dọa mọi người. (He often used his father's influence to threaten people.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "thị thế" is considered archaic in modern Vietnamese and is primarily encountered in historical or literary contexts describing feudal or corrupt power structures. It implies an abuse of authority rather than its legitimate exercise.

Variants and Related Words

• Cậy thế (v): to rely on one's power/position; a closely related modern equivalent.

  • Không được cậy thế mà ức hiếp người khác. (You must not rely on your position to oppress others.)

• Lạm quyền (v): to abuse one's power.

  • Viên chức đó bị cáo buộc lạm quyền. (That official was accused of abusing his power.)

Synonyms

• To throw one's weight around: to use one's authority arrogantly.
• To bully (using one's position): to use power to intimidate.
• To presume on one's influence: to take advantage of one's standing.

Related Idioms

• Cậy quyền cậy thế: to rely entirely on one's power and influence (a common reinforcing phrase).
  • Kẻ cậy quyền cậy thế thường bị mọi người ghét bỏ. (Those who throw their weight around are often despised by everyone.)