thủ thế
Definition
- Verb:
- To be on guard / to be in a defensive stance: The primary meaning of "thủ thế" is to adopt or maintain a guarded posture or position, typically in a martial or combative context, to protect oneself from an opponent's attack.
- To hold one's ground defensively: It implies a state of readiness and caution, focusing on defense rather than offense.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Võ sĩ đứng thủ thế, chờ đợi đối thủ tấn công. (The martial artist stood on guard, waiting for the opponent to attack.)
- Trong đàm phán, ông ấy luôn biết cách thủ thế. (In negotiations, he always knows how to hold a defensive position.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is deeply rooted in martial arts and strategic thinking. It can be applied metaphorically to various situations requiring caution and defensive preparedness, such as in business, politics, or debate.
Variants and Related Words
- Thủ (v): to guard, to defend.
- Thế (n): posture, position, situation.
- Phòng thủ (v): to defend.
Synonyms
- To guard: to watch over and protect.
- To be defensive: to be in a state of defense.
- To be cautious: to be careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
Related Idioms
- While "thủ thế" itself is often used as a set phrase, it is conceptually related to the idiom "liệu cơm gắp mắm", which means to act according to one's circumstances or resources, implying a similar sense of measured, adaptive caution.