Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lower one's hand (literally): The physical act of moving one's hand downward.
   • To relent; to show mercy; to hold back: To become less severe, strict, or harsh in one's actions or judgment, often by choosing not to punish or criticize fully.
   • To decline in skill or technique (of an artist or craftsman): Refers to a deterioration in the manual skill, dexterity, or artistic ability one once possessed, often due to age, lack of practice, or waning talent.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cô giáo rất nghiêm khắc nhưng cuối cùng cũng xuống tay. (The teacher was very strict but finally relented.)
  • Sau nhiều năm không vẽ, kỹ thuật của họa sĩ ấy đã xuống tay nhiều. (After many years of not painting, that artist's technique has declined significantly.)
  • Anh ấy định phạt nặng nhưng rồi lại xuống tay. (He intended to punish severely but then showed mercy.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in contexts involving judgment, punishment, artistry, or craftsmanship. It implies a movement from a higher, stricter, or more skilled state to a lower, more lenient, or less capable one.

Variants and Related Words

• Buông tay (v): to let go; to give up; to stop intervening.
• Nương tay (v): to be lenient; to go easy on someone.

Synonyms

• Relent: to become less severe or strict.
• Decline (in skill): to decrease in quality or ability.
• Slacken: to reduce one's intensity or severity.

Related Idioms

• Xuống tay không đành: to be unable to bring oneself to act harshly; to be unwilling to follow through with a severe action due to pity or mercy.
  • Thấy nó khóc, tôi xuống tay không đành. (Seeing him cry, I couldn't bring myself to be harsh.)