xửng cổ

Definition

1. Adjective (colloquial, vulgar):
   • To be astonished / flabbergasted: To be extremely surprised or shocked to the point of speechlessness or a physical reaction, often with a vulgar connotation implying the surprise is so great it affects one's neck or posture.
   • To be dumbfounded / gobsmacked: To be so amazed or taken aback that one is temporarily unable to react or speak.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nghe tin đó, tôi xửng cổ luôn! (Hearing that news, I was utterly gobsmacked!)
  • Cả đội xửng cổ khi thấy kết quả. (The whole team was dumbfounded when they saw the result.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is highly informal and carries a vulgar nuance. It is typically used in spoken language among peers and is not suitable for formal contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Sửng cổ (adj): The standard, less vulgar form meaning "astonished" or "dumbfounded."
  • Anh ấy sửng cổ trước câu trả lời của cô. (He was dumbfounded by her answer.)

Synonyms

• Astonished: filled with sudden and great wonder or surprise.
• Flabbergasted: extremely surprised or shocked.
• Dumbstruck: so shocked or surprised as to be unable to speak.

Related Idioms

• Ngạc nhiên hết cỡ: To be extremely surprised.
  • Tôi ngạc nhiên hết cỡ về quyết định của anh ta. (I was extremely surprised by his decision.)