xẹp lép
Definition
- Adjective (Informal):
- Completely flat or deflated: Describes an object, typically something that should be inflated or full, that has lost all its air, volume, or firmness and is now entirely flat.
- Utterly collapsed or depleted: Used figuratively to describe something that has failed, lost all energy, or been completely exhausted.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Bánh xe đã xẹp lép rồi. (The tire is completely flat.)
- Sau buổi diễn, tinh thần của diễn viên đó xẹp lép. (After the performance, that actor's morale was utterly depleted.)
- Quả bóng bay bị xẹp lép sau ba ngày. (The balloon became completely deflated after three days.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used for dramatic emphasis to stress a state of total deflation or collapse, beyond just "xẹp" (flat/deflated).
- Can describe abstract concepts like plans, hopes, or energy levels that have completely failed or vanished.
- Kế hoạch của họ xẹp lép sau cuộc họp. (Their plan collapsed completely after the meeting.)
Variants and Related Words
- Xẹp (adj): flat, deflated, dented. A less intense form of "xẹp lép."
- Lốp xe bị xẹp. (The tire is flat.)
- Lép (adj): flat, thin (often for objects like rice grains or tires). Can combine with "xẹp" for emphasis.
Synonyms
- Completely flat: Totally lacking air or fullness.
- Totally deflated: Having lost all internal pressure or air.
- Utterly collapsed: Completely broken down or failed.
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Xẹp lép như bánh đa nem: As flat as a rice paper wrapper. A simile emphasizing extreme flatness.
- Chiếc gối lông vũ cũ xẹp lép như bánh đa nem. (The old feather pillow is as flat as a rice paper wrapper.)
- Tinh thần xẹp lép: Morale is completely deflated/crushed.
- Sau thất bại, tinh thần đội bóng xẹp lép. (After the defeat, the football team's morale was completely crushed.)