vuốt đuôi
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To smooth the tail: A figurative expression meaning to perform a superficial, often belated, action to formally conclude a matter, ease tension, or provide minimal consolation after the main event or damage has already occurred. It implies the action is done merely for the sake of appearance and is largely ineffective.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Sau khi mắng em gái thậm tệ, chị ấy chỉ vuốt đuôi vài câu xin lỗi. (After scolding her younger sister severely, she only smoothed the tail with a few apologetic words.)
- Công ty gây ô nhiễm rồi vuốt đuôi bằng một khoản đóng góp nhỏ. (The company caused pollution and then smoothed the tail with a small donation.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a critical or cynical tone, highlighting the insufficiency and tardiness of the conciliatory action.
Variants and Related Words
- Vuốt râu (v): Literally "to stroke the beard," meaning to flatter or soothe someone's ego.
- An ủi (v): to comfort, to console (a more direct and sincere synonym).
Synonyms
- To pay lip service: to express support or agreement insincerely.
- To make a token gesture: to do something small and symbolic, especially to give a false impression of action.
- To apply a band-aid solution: to provide a temporary or superficial fix to a problem.
Related Idioms
- Khóa trái sau khi trộm đã đi: Literally "to lock the door after the thief has left," similar to the English idiom "to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted." It shares the concept of a belated and ineffective corrective action.