xói móc
Definition
- Verb:
- To pick apart / to nitpick with malice: To deliberately and unkindly expose someone's faults, shortcomings, or secrets, often with the intent to criticize, condemn, or humiliate them. It implies a mean-spirited digging up of negative details.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta không ngừng xói móc những lỗi lầm trong quá khứ của đồng nghiệp. (He kept picking apart his colleague's past mistakes.)
- Đừng có xói móc chuyện riêng tư của người khác như vậy. (Don't nitpick and expose others' private matters like that.)
- Bà ấy cảm thấy rất tổn thương vì bị bạn bè xói móc. (She felt very hurt because her friends maliciously dug up her flaws.)
Advanced Usage
- The action of "xói móc" often occurs in arguments, gossip, or when someone holds a grudge. It is more aggressive and personal than general criticism.
Variants and Related Words
- Chỉ trích (v): to criticize. This is a more general term and lacks the specific connotation of mean-spirited exposure found in "xói móc."
- Bới móc (v): to dig up (dirt). This is a very close synonym, emphasizing the act of uncovering hidden or old faults.
Synonyms
- To maliciously nitpick
- To pick at (with ill intent)
- To drag up (someone's faults)
Related Idioms
- Xói móc chuyện cũ: To dredge up old stories/grudges.
- Họ cãi nhau và bắt đầu xói móc chuyện cũ. (They argued and started dredging up old stories.)