tóe khói
Definition
- Adjective (informal):
- Severely, intensely, or soundly: Used to describe an action, typically criticism, punishment, or a scolding, that is delivered with great force, thoroughness, or intensity. It emphasizes the impactful and often overwhelming nature of the action.
- To a great extent; heavily: Can describe something being done very thoroughly or with significant impact.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nó bị phê bình tóe khói. (He was criticized severely.)
- Đội bóng thua tóe khói. (The football team lost soundly/heavily.)
- Bọn trẻ bị mắng tóe khói vì nghịch ngợm. (The children were scolded intensely for misbehaving.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in colloquial speech to add dramatic emphasis to a verb, usually one with a negative connotation like losing, failing, or being reprimanded.
- It functions similarly to English adverbial phrases like "to smithereens," "to pieces," or "into the ground" in contexts of defeat or criticism.
Variants and Related Words
- Bị đánh tóe khói: to be beaten soundly/thoroughly.
- Đối thủ bị đánh tóe khói trong hiệp đầu. (The opponent was beaten soundly in the first round.)
Synonyms
- Severely: with great intensity or harshness.
- Soundly: thoroughly and decisively.
- Heavily: to a great degree or extent.
Related Idioms
- While "tóe khói" itself is an idiomatic phrase, it is not typically part of a longer, fixed idiom. Its meaning is contained within the two-word combination.