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cá lớn nuốt cá bé

/kaː lɔn nuət kaː ɓɛ/
idiom★Intermediate
informal

The big fish eats the small fish. This idiom refers to a situation where a powerful person or entity takes advantage of or exploits a weaker one, often in a competitive or hierarchical context.

Trong công ty, các nhân viên cấp cao thường nuốt cá bé để giữ vị trí của mình.

In the company, senior employees often exploit junior ones to maintain their positions.

Chính trị gia này đã nuốt cá bé trong cuộc bầu cử.

This politician has exploited the weaker candidates during the election.

💡

This idiom is commonly used to describe power dynamics in various social, professional, or political settings.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

cá lớn nuốt cá nhỏidiom
The big fish eats the small fish (same meaning as the original idiom)
cá bé nuốt cá lớnidiom
The small fish eats the big fish (rare, implies an underdog victory)

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is versatile and can be applied to business, politics, or everyday social interactions where power imbalances are evident.

⚡Gold Rule

Literal vs. Figurative

While the phrase literally describes a predator-prey relationship, its figurative meaning is about exploitation or dominance.

📖Word Origin

This idiom originates from the natural behavior of larger fish preying on smaller ones, metaphorically extended to human social interactions.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in both formal and informal contexts to describe exploitation or dominance by a stronger party over a weaker one.

Word Breakdown

cá lớn
big fish
phrase
+
nuốt
to swallow
verb
+
cá bé
small fish
phrase
✎ Noted on May 31, 2026VI → EN

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