xỏ mũi
Definition
Verb (literal):
- To thread through the nose: The act of passing a rope or cord through the nasal septum of an animal, such as a water buffalo or ox, in order to lead and control it.
Verb (figurative, idiomatic):
- To lead by the nose / to have someone wrapped around one's finger: To completely control, manipulate, or dominate someone, making them do whatever one wants. This usage implies the controlled person is weak-willed, gullible, or excessively submissive.
Usage Examples
Verb (literal):
- Người nông dân xỏ mũi con trâu để dễ dắt đi. (The farmer threaded the buffalo's nose to lead it more easily.)
Verb (figurative):
- Anh ta để cô ấy xỏ mũi mình, cô bảo gì nghe nấy. (He lets her lead him by the nose; he does whatever she says.)
- Ông chủ bị đối tác xỏ mũi trong thương vụ đó. (The boss was completely manipulated by his partner in that deal.)
Advanced Usage
- The figurative meaning is far more common in modern usage than the literal one. It is almost always used in a negative, critical sense to describe a relationship where one person has undue control over another.
- It often describes dynamics in personal relationships (e.g., between spouses, partners) or in situations of manipulation in business or politics.
Variants and Related Words
- Bị xỏ mũi (verbal phrase): To be led by the nose, to be under someone's thumb. This passive form is very frequently used.
- Hắn ta hoàn toàn bị xỏ mũi. (He is completely led by the nose.)
Synonyms
- To manipulate: To control or influence unfairly or deceitfully.
- To dominate: To have a commanding influence over.
- To control: To exercise restraint or direction over.
Related Idioms
- Dắt mũi: A closely related idiom meaning "to lead by the nose," often used interchangeably with the figurative meaning of "xỏ mũi." It emphasizes the action of guiding or deceiving someone.
- Đừng để họ dắt mũi mình. (Don't let them lead you by the nose.)