ắng cổ
Definition
- Adjective (idiomatic):
- To be left speechless; to be reduced to silence: Describes a state where one is unable to speak or reply, typically due to being confronted with irrefutable arguments, overwhelming evidence, or a situation that leaves no room for rebuttal. It implies a loss for words because one's position has been thoroughly undermined.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Trước những bằng chứng rõ ràng, anh ta đã ắng cổ. (Faced with clear evidence, he was left speechless.)
- Bị phản bác bằng lý lẽ sắc bén, nó chỉ biết ắng cổ. (Refuted by sharp reasoning, he could only be reduced to silence.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "đã ắng cổ" (was left speechless) or "chỉ còn biết ắng cổ" (could only be reduced to silence) to describe the result of a verbal confrontation or debate.
Variants and Related Words
- Câm lặng (adj): silent, mute (a more general term for silence, not specifically due to being refuted).
- Bí từ (adj): to be at a loss for words.
Synonyms
- Speechless: unable to speak, especially due to shock or being proved wrong.
- Reduced to silence: caused to stop speaking or arguing.
- Left without a leg to stand on: having no support for one's argument.
Related Idioms
- Tắc tị: to be stuck, to have nothing to say (similar in meaning, often used when one cannot answer a question or continue an argument).
- Cạn lời: to run out of words; to have nothing more to say.