ăn hớt
Definition
- Verb:
- To take someone's turn or opportunity: To speak or act out of turn, interrupting or taking a turn that rightfully belongs to another person, especially in a conversation or game.
- To take credit or benefit meant for another: To unfairly claim or receive a benefit, recognition, or advantage that was intended for someone else.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Đừng ăn hớt khi người khác đang nói. (Don't interrupt/take someone's turn when others are speaking.)
- Anh ta ăn hớt cơ hội trình bày của đồng nghiệp. (He took his colleague's opportunity to present.)
- Trong trò chơi, ăn hớt lượt là không công bằng. (In a game, taking someone else's turn is unfair.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contexts of social or conversational etiquette to criticize someone for being opportunistic or disrespectful of the proper order.
- It can imply a subtle, often ungracious, act of seizing something that was not offered.
Variants and Related Words
- Cướp lời (v): To cut someone off, to interrupt speech more aggressively.
- Cô ấy hay cướp lời người khác. (She often cuts other people off.)
Synonyms
- To interrupt (out of turn): To break into a conversation or activity.
- To usurp a turn: To take a turn that belongs to another.
- To poach an opportunity: To take an opportunity intended for someone else.
Related Idioms
- Ăn hớt ăn hít: This reduplicative form emphasizes the action of constantly and sneakily taking little advantages or bits meant for others.
- Thằng bé hay ăn hớt ăn hít phần quà của bạn. (The boy is always sneaking and taking bits of his friend's gifts.)