Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hidden rock, a reef, a submerged rock: A rock or rocky formation that lies beneath the surface of the water, posing a danger to navigation.
   • (Figurative) A hidden obstacle, a covert scheme: A secret, underhanded action intended to harm, hinder, or remove someone, often in a competitive context like politics or business.

2. Verb (colloquial):

   • To oust or supplant by underhanded means, to scheme against someone covertly: To use secret, cunning, or deceitful tricks to remove someone from their position or to undermine them.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):

  • Tàu thuyền phải cẩn thận để tránh những tảng đá ngầm. (Ships must be careful to avoid submerged rocks.)
  • Bản đồ hàng hải đánh dấu tất cả các đá ngầm nguy hiểm. (The nautical chart marks all the dangerous reefs.)

• Noun (Figurative):

  • Trong cuộc đua tranh chức vụ, anh ta phải đối mặt với nhiều đá ngầm. (In the race for the position, he faced many hidden obstacles / covert schemes.)
  • Mối quan hệ đó đổ vỡ vì có quá nhiều đá ngầm. (That relationship broke down because there were too many hidden pitfalls.)

• Verb:

  • Hắn tìm cách đá ngầm đối thủ để giành lấy hợp đồng. (He tried to sabotage his rival to win the contract.)
  • Cô ấy bị đá ngầm và mất chức trưởng phòng. (She was ousted by underhanded tricks and lost her manager position.)

Advanced Usage

• "giăng *đá ngầm"*: to set a trap, to lay a covert scheme.

  • Đối thủ đang giăng đá ngầm để hạ bệ ứng viên đó. (The opponent is setting traps to bring down that candidate.)

• "dính *đá ngầm"*: to fall into a trap, to be undermined.

  • Công ty non trẻ đã dính đá ngầm trong thương vụ đầu tiên. (The young company hit a hidden snag in its first deal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đá (n/verb): rock / to kick. The core word, forming the basis for the metaphorical meaning of a sudden, hidden strike.
• Ngầm (adj/adverb): underground, submerged, covert. Indicates something hidden or not openly visible.
• Mưu hại ngầm (phrase): a covert harmful scheme. A more explicit phrase for a secret plot.
• Âm mưu (n): plot, conspiracy. A general term for a secret plan.

Synonyms

• Hãm hại ngầm: to harm covertly.
• Chơi xỏ: to play a dirty trick (more informal).
• Hạ bệ: to bring down, to dethrone (can be overt or covert).
• Gian kế: a cunning scheme.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đâm sau lưng: to stab in the back. A very close synonym emphasizing betrayal.
  • Hắn giả vờ là bạn nhưng luôn tìm cách đâm sau lưng đồng nghiệp. (He pretends to be a friend but always looks for ways to stab his colleagues in the back.)

Related Idioms

• "Mặt nạ *đá ngầm"*: A "submerged rock" mask; referring to a person who appears harmless but is secretly scheming.

  • Đừng tin anh ta, anh ta là loại mặt nạ đá ngầm. (Don't trust him; he's the wolf in sheep's clothing type.)

• "Nước *đá ngầm"*: "Submerged rock" water; describing a situation or environment full of hidden dangers and schemes.

  • Thị trường chứng khoán lúc này là nước đá ngầm, nhà đầu tư mới rất dễ chết đuối. (The stock market right now is treacherous waters; new investors can easily drown.)

1. Oust (by underhand tricks), supplant