vác mặt
Definition
- Verb phrase (colloquial, often derogatory):
- To show one's face (impudently or shamelessly): To appear or present oneself somewhere, especially when one's presence is unwelcome, inappropriate, or demonstrates a lack of shame.
- To put on airs / to assume a haughty demeanor: To present oneself with an arrogant or pretentious attitude.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nó lại vác mặt đến xin tiền. (He had the nerve to show his face again to ask for money.)
- Sau scandal đó, không hiểu sao anh ta còn dám vác mặt lên công ty. (After that scandal, I don't know how he still dares to show his face at the company.)
- Đừng có vác mặt lên với tôi! (Don't you dare put on airs with me!)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost exclusively used in negative contexts to express criticism, contempt, or annoyance towards someone's audacious presence or attitude.
- It implies the subject is disregarding social judgment, shame, or propriety.
Variants and Related Words
- Vác (v): to carry on one's shoulder. This literal meaning forms the basis of the idiom, implying "carrying" one's face somewhere, often where it doesn't belong.
- Mặt dày (adj): thick-skinned, shameless. A related concept describing a person's character, while "vác mặt" describes the action resulting from it.
Synonyms
- To show up (shamelessly)
- To have the gall/nerve to appear
- To swagger in
- To put on airs (for the second meaning)
Related Idioms
Vác mặt đến: to show up (impudently) at a place.
- Hết tiền là nó vác mặt đến nhà tôi. (As soon as he's out of money, he shows up at my house.)
Vác mặt lên: to adopt a haughty or presumptuous manner.
- Mới được thăng chức đã vác mặt lên. (He just got promoted and already started putting on airs.)