trượt vỏ chuối
Definition
- Idiom (figurative expression):
- To fail an exam: The primary meaning is to fail a test or examination. It is a colloquial and humorous idiom.
- To slip up / to fail: More broadly, it can describe failing or making a mistake in an endeavor, often due to carelessness or an unexpected minor issue, similar to the literal act of slipping on a banana peel.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Nó lo lắng mình sẽ trượt vỏ chuối trong kỳ thi cuối kỳ. (He is worried he will fail the final exam.)
- Lần phỏng vấn đó tôi đã trượt vỏ chuối một cách đáng tiếc. (I unfortunately messed up that interview.)
Advanced Usage
- The idiom humorously compares the sudden, unexpected, and often embarrassing nature of failing an exam to the classic physical comedy gag of slipping on a banana peel.
Variants and Related Words
- Thi trượt (v): to fail an exam (standard, non-idiomatic phrase).
- Cô ấy buồn vì thi trượt. (She is sad because she failed the exam.)
Synonyms
- To flunk: to fail an exam or course (informal).
- To bomb: to perform very badly on a test (very informal).
- To fail: the standard term.
Related Idioms
- Trượt dài: to fail repeatedly or continuously; to be on a losing streak.
- Đội bóng đang trượt dài với năm trận thua. (The football team is on a long losing streak with five defeats.)