Definition

1. Verb (colloquial):
   • To relieve someone of something (especially by theft or trickery): To take something from someone, often in a sly, stealthy, or dishonest manner, implying the victim is unaware or unable to prevent it.
   • To swipe, to pinch, to filch: Informal terms for stealing, typically used for smaller items taken in a quick or sneaky way.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó bị đỡ nhẹ mất cái điện thoại trên bàn. (He was relieved of his phone on the table. / He had his phone swiped from the table.)
  • Cẩn thận không bị đỡ nhẹ ví trong đám đông. (Be careful not to have your wallet relieved in the crowd. / Be careful your wallet doesn't get pinched in the crowd.)
  • Ai đó đã đỡ nhẹ chiếc bánh mì tôi để trên kệ. (Someone relieved me of the bread I left on the shelf.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "đỡ nhẹ" carries a strong colloquial and slightly vulgar connotation. It is not used in formal writing or polite conversation. It often describes petty theft or opportunistic taking.
• It can sometimes be used humorously among friends in a non-literal sense, e.g., (I'm going to relieve you of your piece of cake!), but the core meaning remains one of taking something without permission.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn cắp, ăn trộm (v): To steal. These are more general and neutral terms for theft.
• Móc túi (v): To pickpocket. Specifically refers to stealing from someone's pocket or bag.
• Chôm (v, colloquial): To nick, to swipe. Similar informal slang for stealing.
• Xoáy (v, very colloquial/slang): To con someone out of something, or to take something through persuasion or trickery.

Synonyms

• To steal: Lấy trộm tài sản của người khác.
• To pilfer: Ăn cắp những thứ nhỏ, có giá trị không lớn.
• To filch: Ăn cắp một cách lén lút, nhanh chóng.
• To swipe (slang): Lấy trộm, thường là nhanh và bất ngờ.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Đỡ nhẹ" itself functions as a phrasal verb. It is not typically broken down, and its components ("đỡ" meaning to support/catch and "nhẹ" meaning lightly) combine to create this specific slang meaning of light-fingered theft.

1. (thông tục) Relieve someone of
   • Bị đỡ nhẹ mất cái bút máy
     To be relieved of one's fountain-pen