xị mặt

Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To pull a long face / to look sullen: To show clear displeasure, disappointment, or irritation through one's facial expression, typically by frowning, pouting, or having a visibly gloomy and unsmiling countenance.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Thấy kết quả thi, nó xị mặt ngay. (Seeing the exam results, he pulled a long face immediately.)
  • Đừng có xị mặt như thế, chuyện nhỏ thôi mà. (Don't look so sullen, it's just a small matter.)
  • Nghe tin đó, mặt cô ấy xị xuống. (Hearing that news, her face fell.)

Advanced Usage

• The intensity can be emphasized by the reduplicated form "xì xị mặt", indicating an even stronger or more pronounced expression of sullenness.
  • Cả ngày hôm nay nó cứ xì xị mặt, không nói năng gì. (He's been pulling a terribly long face all day, not saying a word.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cau mặt (v): to frown, to scowl.

  • Anh ấy cau mặt khi bị làm phiền. (He frowned when he was disturbed.)

• Mặt dài ra (idiomatic expression): Literally "for one's face to grow long"; to look disappointed or dejected.

  • Nghe xong câu chuyện, mặt nó dài ra. (After hearing the story, his face fell.)

Synonyms

• To sulk: To be silent and bad-tempered because of annoyance or disappointment.
• To glower: To have an angry or sullen look on one's face; to scowl.
• To look displeased: To show a facial expression of annoyance or disapproval.

Related Idioms

• Làm mặt nặng mày nhẹ: To show one's displeasure or anger through facial expressions and demeanor.
  • Chỉ vì một lỗi nhỏ, sếp đã làm mặt nặng mày nhẹ với cả phòng. (Just because of a small mistake, the boss looked very displeased with the whole office.)