Definition

1. Adjective (informal):
   • To be left empty-handed or unsuccessful: Describes the state of having failed to obtain what one sought, often after effort or expectation, resulting in having nothing.
   • To be speechless or at a loss for words: Describes a state of being unable to respond, typically due to surprise, embarrassment, or defeat in an argument.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đi câu cả ngày mà về trơ mép. (Went fishing all day and came back empty-handed.)
  • Nó bị bác bỏ hết lý lẽ, đứng trơ mép ra đó. (All his arguments were refuted, and he was left standing there speechless.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a tone of mild ridicule or commiseration towards the subject who has failed or been rendered silent.

Variants and Related Words

• Trắng tay (adj): to be empty-handed, to have lost everything.

  • Cậu ấy đánh bạc và ra về trắng tay. (He gambled and left empty-handed.)

• Câm nín (v): to be struck dumb, to become silent.

  • Cô ấy câm nín trước câu hỏi bất ngờ. (She was struck dumb by the unexpected question.)

Synonyms

• Empty-handed: having acquired nothing.
• Speechless: unable to speak, often due to strong emotion.
• Unsuccessful: not achieving a desired goal.

Related Idioms

• Trơ mắt ếch: to be left staring helplessly or in astonishment.

  • Hắn chỉ biết trơ mắt ếch nhìn đối thủ thắng cuộc. (He could only stare like a frog, watching his opponent win.)

• Hổng chân: to be caught off guard or to have no retort (in Southern Vietnamese dialect).

  • Câu hỏi đó làm nó hổng chân, đứng trơ mép. (That question caught him off guard, leaving him speechless.)