tốt thầy
Definition
- Adjective:
- Well-supported / Well-backed: Describes a person who has strong, influential backing or protection from powerful individuals or groups, often used in the context of favoritism or nepotism.
- Well-treated (by a good doctor): An older, less common usage referring to a person receiving good medical care from a skilled physician.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ta được thăng chức nhanh vì tốt thầy. (He got promoted quickly because he is well-backed.)
- Trong công ty đó, muốn thành công phải tốt thầy. (In that company, to succeed you need to have strong backing.)
- Nhờ tốt thầy, bệnh của ông ấy thuyên giảm. (Thanks to being well-treated by a good doctor, his illness improved.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a negative or critical connotation, implying that success or advantage is gained through connections rather than merit.
- It can describe a situation where someone is shielded from consequences due to their powerful patrons.
Variants and Related Words
Được che chở (v phrase): to be protected.
- Cậu ấy luôn được che chở nên không sợ gì. (He is always protected so he fears nothing.)
Có hậu thuẫn (v phrase): to have backing/support.
- Ứng viên đó có hậu thuẫn rất mạnh. (That candidate has very strong backing.)
Synonyms
- Well-connected: Having influential acquaintances.
- Protected: Defended or shielded by someone powerful.
- Patronized: Supported by a patron (in the older sense).
Related Idioms
Có người bảo kê: to have a guarantor/protector.
- Hắn làm gì cũng mạnh tay vì có người bảo kê. (He acts boldly in everything because he has a protector.)
Dựa hơi người lớn: to rely on the influence of elders/powerful people.
- Đừng tưởng dựa hơi người lớn là mãi được. (Don't think you can rely on powerful people's influence forever.)