Definition

1. Verb phrase (figurative):
   • To back down; to yield; to concede: To lower one's demands, tone, or stance, often after a period of insistence or arrogance. It implies a retreat from a previously held position due to pressure, persuasion, or changing circumstances.
   • To eat humble pie: To be forced to admit one was wrong and act more humbly.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Thấy mọi người phản đối, anh ta đành phải xuống nước. (Seeing everyone's opposition, he had no choice but to back down.)
  • Cuối cùng, công ty đối thủ cũng xuống nước và chấp nhận điều khoản của chúng tôi. (Finally, the rival company also yielded and accepted our terms.)
  • Sau khi bị chứng minh là sai, hắn xuống nước và xin lỗi. (After being proven wrong, he ate humble pie and apologized.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in contexts of negotiation, argument, or conflict where one party shows initial stubbornness or makes high demands before relenting.
• It carries a nuance of a somewhat reluctant or forced concession, rather than a willing compromise.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhượng bộ (v): to concede, to give in. This is a more formal and direct synonym.
• Chịu thua (v): to admit defeat.

Synonyms

• To back down
• To yield
• To concede
• To climb down
• To eat humble pie

Related Idioms

• Xuống giọng: to lower one's tone (of voice). This is related as it signifies becoming less aggressive or demanding in speech, often a step before fully "xuống nước."
  • Anh ấy đã xuống giọng khi thấy cô ấy tức giận. (He lowered his tone when he saw she was angry.)