xà xẻo
Definition
- Verb:
- To pilfer, to embezzle small amounts: To secretly and dishonestly take small quantities of money or materials, especially from a public resource, workplace, or shared fund, over a period of time.
- To skimp, to scrimp (by taking a portion): To reduce the proper amount or quality of something by taking a little for oneself, often in a sneaky or gradual manner.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta bị cáo buộc xà xẻo vật tư của công ty. (He was accused of pilfering company supplies.)
- Không được xà xẻo tiền quỹ lớp. (You must not embezzle money from the class fund.)
- Người quản lý xà xẻo nguyên liệu khi nấu ăn. (The manager skimped on ingredients when cooking by taking some for himself.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a repeated, petty, and unethical action, typically within a context of managing shared or public resources. It carries a strong negative connotation of deceit and breach of trust on a small scale.
Variants and Related Words
- Xén (v): to cut off a part, often used similarly for skimming money.
- Bớt xén (v): to reduce or deduct dishonestly.
- Tham nhũng (v/n): corruption, graft (generally on a larger scale than ).
Synonyms
- Pilfer: to steal things of small value.
- Embezzle: to steal money placed in one's trust (often small amounts in this context).
- Skimp: to use less of something than is necessary, especially dishonestly.
- Filch: to steal something of little value.
Related Idioms
- Xà xẻo của công: to pilfer public property/assets.
- Hắn chuyên xà xẻo của công. (He specializes in pilfering public property.)