xuống mã
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To decline in health; to have one's health deteriorate: Refers to a person's physical condition or vitality becoming progressively weaker, often due to age, illness, or exhaustion. It implies a noticeable and negative change from a previously better state of health or vigor.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Ông cụ gần đây trông xuống mã lắm. (The old man has looked like his health is declining a lot recently.)
- Sau trận ốm nặng, sức khỏe của bà ấy xuống mã hẳn. (After the serious illness, her health has deteriorated markedly.)
- Làm việc quá sức khiến anh ta xuống mã. (Overworking caused his health to decline.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to describe a gradual, perceptible weakening, particularly in the context of aging or chronic conditions. It carries a tone of observation and sometimes concern.
Variants and Related Words
- Suy yếu (v): to weaken, to become feeble (a more direct synonym for declining health).
- Tàn lụi (v): to wither, to fade away (often used for health or vitality).
- Sa sút (v): to deteriorate, to decline (can be used for health or other conditions like mental state).
Synonyms
- Decline (in health): to become progressively weaker.
- Deteriorate (health-wise): to become worse in condition.
- Fail (health): to lose strength or vitality.
Related Idioms
- Xuống sức: to lose strength, to become weaker.
- Mùa đông khiến người già dễ xuống sức. (Winter makes the elderly prone to losing strength.)
- Hết máu: to be exhausted, to have no energy left (colloquial).
- Làm một mạch xong dự án, tôi thật sự hết máu. (After finishing the project in one go, I am completely exhausted.)