Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hired thug; a henchman: A person, typically of low social standing, who is paid to carry out violent, illegal, or unpleasant tasks for someone else, such as intimidation or assault.
   • A factotum; a handyman: In a broader, sometimes less violent sense, a person employed to do a wide variety of odd jobs, often involving manual labor or running errands.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tên đầu sai đó đã bị cảnh sát bắt giữ. (That hired thug has been arrested by the police.)
  • Hắn chỉ là một tay đầu sai, làm theo lệnh của ông chủ. (He is just a henchman, following the boss's orders.)
  • Ông ấy thuê một đầu sai để sửa chữa mọi thứ trong nhà. (He hired a handyman to fix everything in the house.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of morals or independent agency, as the person is merely a tool for another's will, especially in criminal contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Tay sai (n): A synonym with identical meaning, also meaning a lackey or henchman.
  • Bọn tay sai đang đe dọa người dân. (The lackeys are threatening the people.)

Synonyms

• Henchman: A loyal follower, especially one who performs violent or illegal acts for a leader.
• Hired thug: A person paid to use violence.
• Lackey: A servile follower; someone who obeys orders unquestioningly.
• Factotum: An employee who does all kinds of work.

Related Idioms

• Làm tay sai cho: To act as a henchman for someone.
  • Hắn không ngần ngại làm tay sai cho băng đảng. (He does not hesitate to act as a henchman for the gang.)

1. Factobum