Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To thump one's chest: The literal action of striking one's own chest with the palm of the hand, often to express strong emotion, bravado, or to make a bold declaration.
   • To boast / to brag: The primary figurative meaning is to speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. It implies a showy, arrogant, and often empty display of confidence.

Usage Examples

• Literal action:
  • Anh ta tức giận, vỗ ngực thình thịch. (He was angry, thumping his chest loudly.)
• Figurative (to boast):
  • Hắn thường vỗ ngực tự xưng là người giỏi nhất. (He often boasts, proclaiming himself to be the best.)
  • Đừng vỗ ngực hứa hẹn nếu không thể thực hiện. (Don't boastfully make promises you can't keep.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a negative connotation, criticizing someone for being arrogant, making hollow claims, or overestimating their own capabilities.
• It can be used to describe the act of making a bold, public guarantee or pledge, which may later prove to be unfounded.

Variants and Related Words

• Vỗ ngực tự hào: To boast with pride.
  • Ông ấy vỗ ngực tự hào về thành tích của con trai. (He boasted with pride about his son's achievements.)
• Vỗ ngực cam đoan: To thump one's chest and guarantee; to pledge emphatically.
  • Anh ấy vỗ ngực cam đoan sẽ hoàn thành đúng hạn. (He thumped his chest and guaranteed he would finish on time.)

Synonyms

• Boast: To talk with excessive pride.
• Brag: To say something in a boastful manner.
• Crow: To express great pride or triumph, especially in a gloating way.
• Swagger: To behave or speak in a very confident and arrogant manner.

Related Idioms

• Vỗ ngực xưng tên: To thump one's chest and announce one's name; to boldly declare one's identity or prowess.
  • Trước đám đông, hắn vỗ ngực xưng tên. (In front of the crowd, he thumped his chest and announced his name.)