ăn to
Definition
- Verb phrase (informal):
- To win big / to make a large profit: Refers to achieving a significant financial gain, often suddenly or from a single venture, such as in business, gambling, or investment.
- To hit the jackpot: Used figuratively to describe obtaining a large, desirable, and often unexpected reward or success.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Công ty khởi nghiệp của họ đã ăn to sau thương vụ đó. (Their startup won big after that deal.)
- Anh ta mua vé số và hy vọng sẽ ăn to. (He bought a lottery ticket and hoped to hit the jackpot.)
- Trong phi vụ kinh doanh này, nếu thành công chúng ta sẽ ăn to. (In this business deal, if successful, we will make a large profit.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is inherently informal and colloquial. It often carries a connotation of a windfall or a gain that is substantial relative to the norm or expectation.
- It can be used in both positive (celebratory) and slightly envious or critical contexts, depending on tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Ăn đậm (v.phr., informal): Similar meaning of making a hefty profit.
- Lần đầu kinh doanh anh ấy đã ăn đậm. (On his first business attempt, he made a hefty profit.)
Synonyms
- To strike it rich: To suddenly make a lot of money.
- To make a killing: To make a large profit, especially in a short time.
- To score big: To achieve a great success or profit.
Related Idioms
- Một vốn bốn lời: (lit. one capital, four profits) To make a huge return on investment. This idiom describes a highly profitable outcome, similar in spirit to "ăn to."
- Cửa hàng đó bán đồ hiệu, một vốn bốn lời. (That store sells designer goods, making a huge profit.)