Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To slap (someone) in the face: A literal action of striking someone's face with an open hand.
   • To insult openly / to humiliate publicly: The primary figurative meaning. It describes a direct, brazen, and contemptuous act of disrespect, often done publicly to shame or challenge someone, equivalent to "to spit in (someone's) face."

Usage Examples

• Literal:
  • Anh ta tức giận và vỗ mặt đối thủ. (He was angry and slapped his opponent in the face.)
• Figurative:
  • Lời từ chối của họ như một cái vỗ mặt. (Their refusal was like a slap in the face.)
  • Hành động đó là vỗ mặt cả cộng đồng. (That action was a public insult to the whole community.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used to convey a severe, intentional act of humiliation. It implies the insult is delivered directly and without fear of consequence, challenging the recipient's dignity or authority.

Variants and Related Words

• Tát (v): to slap. This is a more general term for the physical action.
  • Bà ấy tát kẻ vô lễ. (She slapped the rude person.)
• Sỉ nhục (v): to insult, to humiliate. A more formal synonym for the figurative meaning.
  • Không nên sỉ nhục người khác. (One should not humiliate others.)

Synonyms

• To slap in the face: (literal and figurative).
• To insult to one's face: to show open disrespect.
• To humiliate publicly: to cause someone to lose dignity in front of others.

Related Idioms

• Vả mặt: a synonym with the same literal and figurative meanings.
  • Câu nói đó như vả mặt anh ta. (That statement was like a slap in his face.)
• Xúc phạm (v): to offend, to violate. Often used in legal or formal contexts regarding dignity.
  • Hành vi xúc phạm danh dự. (Acts that offend honor.)