Definition

1. Verb:
   • To suddenly and completely change one's attitude or behavior towards someone, especially from friendly or cooperative to hostile, antagonistic, or betraying.
   • To turn against someone; to show one's true, often negative, colors after having pretended to be agreeable or loyal.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau khi được thăng chức, anh ta đã trở mặt với những đồng nghiệp cũ. (After being promoted, he turned against his old colleagues.)
  • Đừng tin hắn ta, hắn có thể trở mặt bất cứ lúc nào. (Don't trust him; he can turn on you at any moment.)
  • Cô ấy trở mặt và từ chối giúp đỡ chúng tôi. (She did an about-face and refused to help us.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "trở mặt" carries a strong negative connotation, implying treachery, ingratitude, or a breach of trust. It is not used for simple, neutral changes of opinion.
• It often describes a rapid, surprising, and deliberate shift in behavior that harms the person who was previously trusted.

Variants and Related Words

• Tráo trở (adj/verb): deceitful, perfidious; to act in a slippery, untrustworthy manner. This is a close synonym that emphasizes duplicity.
  • Kẻ tráo trở đó không giữ lời hứa. (That deceitful person did not keep their promise.)

Synonyms

• To turn against: To become hostile towards someone you previously supported.
• To do an about-face: To make a complete reversal in attitude or policy.
• To show one's true colors: To reveal one's real, often unpleasant, character.

Related Idioms

• Trở mặt nhanh hơn trở bàn tay: (To change face faster than turning a hand) An idiom emphasizing an extremely quick and shameless betrayal.
  • Hắn hứa sẽ ủng hộ, nhưng rồi trở mặt nhanh hơn trở bàn tay. (He promised to support us, but then he turned against us in the blink of an eye.)

verb

1. to change about