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ếch ngồi đáy giếng

/ɛk ŋɔj ɗaj ziɛŋ/
idiom★Intermediate
informal

A person who is content with their current situation and unwilling to make changes or take risks, even when better opportunities are available.

Anh ấy chỉ ngồi đợi cơ hội rơi vào tay, như ếch ngồi đáy giếng.

He just waits for opportunities to fall into his lap, like a frog sitting at the bottom of a well.

Cô ấy không muốn chuyển công việc vì sợ mất ổn định, nhưng cũng chỉ là ếch ngồi đáy giếng thôi.

She doesn't want to change jobs because she's afraid of losing stability, but she's just a frog sitting at the bottom of a well.

💡

This idiom is often used to criticize someone's lack of ambition or initiative.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ếch ngồi đáy giếng không biết biển cảproverb
A frog sitting at the bottom of a well doesn't know the vast ocean.

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in a slightly negative or critical tone, so be mindful of the context when using it.

📖Word Origin

The idiom comes from the image of a frog sitting at the bottom of a well, unaware of the vast world outside. It highlights the limited perspective of someone who is content with their small, comfortable world.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal conversations to describe someone who is overly cautious or unwilling to step out of their comfort zone.

Word Breakdown

ếch
frog
root
+
ngồi
to sit
root
+
đáy giếng
bottom of the well
root
✎ Noted on May 31, 2026VI → EN

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