Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bully, to oppress, to victimize: To treat someone unfairly and harshly, often repeatedly, especially by using one's power or authority to harm, hinder, or hold back a subordinate or someone in a weaker position.
   • To hold back / to suppress: To intentionally prevent someone from advancing, receiving a promotion, or getting a deserved position due to personal malice or prejudice.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sếp cũ thường xuyên trù dập anh ấy. (His old boss frequently bullied him.)
  • Họ bị trù dập vì dám lên tiếng phản đối. (They were victimized for daring to speak up in opposition.)
  • Anh ta không được thăng chức vì bị cấp trên trù dập. (He wasn't promoted because his superior suppressed him.)

Advanced Usage

• The term strongly implies a sustained, malicious intent within a hierarchical or power-imbalanced relationship (e.g., boss-employee, teacher-student). It is more severe than simple criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Đàn áp (v): to oppress, to repress (often on a larger, political scale).
• Bắt nạt (v): to bully (a more general term, common in everyday contexts, including among peers).

Synonyms

• Persecute: To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment.
• Victimize: To single someone out for cruel or unjust treatment.
• Suppress: To prevent the development, advancement, or recognition of someone.

Related Idioms

• While "trù dập" itself is often used as a set phrase, it conveys a concept similar to:
  • To have it in for someone: To be determined to harm or cause problems for a particular person.

    • Ông chủ mới hình như có ác cảm và trù dập tôi. (The new boss seems to have it in for me.)