để hở

Cô bé để hở đôi chân khi mặc váy ngắn.

Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To leave uncovered / to leave exposed: The primary meaning is to intentionally or unintentionally fail to cover something, resulting in it being open, visible, or unprotected.
   • To reveal / to leave showing: Often used to describe clothing or an object that does not fully cover an area, allowing a part to be seen.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cô ấy mặc áo để hở lưng. (She is wearing a top that leaves her back uncovered.)
  • Đừng để hở cổ, trời lạnh lắm. (Don't leave your neck exposed; it's very cold.)
  • Anh để hở thông tin cá nhân trên mạng. (He left his personal information exposed online.)

Advanced Usage

• "để hở ra": Emphasizes the act of exposing or revealing something.
  • Cánh cửa để hở ra một khoảng không tối om. (The door was left open, revealing a pitch-dark space.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hở (adj): Ajar, open, gaping. Can describe something not fully closed.

  • Cửa sổ đang hở. (The window is ajar.)

• Phơi bày (v): To expose, to lay bare (often for abstract things like secrets or truth).

  • Bài báo phơi bày sự thật. (The article exposed the truth.)

Synonyms

• Expose: To leave unprotected or make visible.
• Reveal: To allow something to be seen.
• Leave open: To not close or cover.

Related Idioms

• Để hở sườn: To leave a flank exposed; metaphorically, to show a weakness or vulnerability.
  • Lập luận của anh ta để hở sườn cho đối thủ công kích. (His argument left a flank exposed for opponents to attack.)