ăn bẩn

Người bán hàng đó thường ăn bẩn bằng cách gian lận cân.

Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic, figurative):
   • To earn money in a petty, dishonest, or unethical manner: The primary meaning refers to gaining income or profit through small-scale, deceitful, or corrupt practices. It implies a lack of scruples for minor gains.
   • To win or gain something through underhanded means: Often used in contexts like games, competitions, or business to describe securing an advantage or result via cheap, unfair tactics.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn ta chỉ biết ăn bẩn bằng những vụ lừa đảo nhỏ. (He only knows how to earn money dishonestly through small scams.)
  • Đội đó thắng nhờ ăn bẩn, không phải nhờ kỹ năng. (That team won through underhanded means, not through skill.)
  • Trong kinh doanh, ăn bẩn sẽ không tồn tại được lâu. (In business, earning money through shady practices won't last long.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is inherently figurative and critical. It is often used in a condemnatory or scornful tone to criticize someone's moral character in their pursuit of gain.
• It can apply to various domains: money (petty corruption, cheating customers), sports (dirty play, cheap shots), or politics (small-time graft).

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn gian (v): to cheat, to be dishonest. This is a more general term for cheating.
  • Nó ăn gian trong bài kiểm tra. (He cheated on the test.)

Synonyms

• To gain dishonestly: To acquire something through deception.
• To profit unethically: To make a financial gain in a morally wrong way.
• To win by foul means: To achieve victory using unfair methods.

Related Idioms

• Ăn không nói có: To fabricate stories; to claim something exists when it doesn't (related to dishonesty).
  • Đừng tin hắn, hắn chuyên ăn không nói có. (Don't believe him; he specializes in making things up.)