vênh mặt
Definition
- Verb:
- To turn one's face up haughtily: To lift one's chin and face upward in a manner that displays arrogance, disdain, or a sense of superiority.
- To be smug or cocky: To exhibit an attitude of self-satisfaction and conceit, often after a perceived success or due to a feeling of being better than others.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Chỉ được khen một câu đã vênh mặt lên. (He just received one compliment and already turned his face up haughtily.)
- Đừng có vênh mặt chỉ vì thắng một trận. (Don't be so smug just because you won one match.)
- Cô ấy vênh mặt, không thèm chào hỏi ai. (She turned her face up arrogantly, not bothering to greet anyone.)
Advanced Usage
- The action is often metaphorical, describing an arrogant attitude rather than just the physical act.
- Commonly used to criticize someone for being overly proud or looking down on others.
Variants and Related Words
- Vênh váo (adj/verb): To act in a boastful, swaggering, or arrogant manner. This is a more general term for arrogant behavior.
- Anh ta chiến thắng và tỏ ra vênh váo. (He won and acted boastfully.)
Synonyms
- To be arrogant: Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.
- To be conceited: Excessively proud of oneself.
- To be haughty: Blatantly and disdainfully proud.
- To sneer: To smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
Related Idioms
- Vênh mặt lên vì tự hào: To puff up with pride. This phrase specifies the cause of the arrogant expression.
- Cậu ấy vênh mặt lên vì tự hào về thành tích của mình. (He puffed up with pride over his achievement.)