cá lớn nuốt cá bé

/kaː lɔn nuət kaː ɓe/
idiom★Intermediate— the strong exploit the weak◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
The strong or powerful take advantage of the weak or less powerful, often in an unfair or exploitative manner.
Literal Meaning
A large fish swallows a small fish.
Literal Breakdown
cá lớnbig fish+nuốtto swallow+cá bésmall fish
◇ Mental Image
A large fish consuming a smaller one, symbolizing dominance and exploitation.
◈ When to Use
Discussing corporate monopolies or political power imbalances, where stronger entities exploit weaker ones.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects traditional Vietnamese observations of nature and its application to human social structures, emphasizing the natural hierarchy and power dynamics.
informal

A metaphorical expression describing how powerful or dominant entities take advantage of weaker or less influential ones, often in social, economic, or business contexts.

Trong thị trường cạnh tranh, cá lớn nuốt cá bé là một quy luật không thể tránh khỏi.

In a competitive market, the strong exploiting the weak is an unavoidable rule.

💡

This idiom reflects the natural hierarchy and power dynamics in various aspects of life, often used to describe unfair or exploitative practices.

Related Phrases

cá lớn ăn cá béidiom
the strong eat the weak

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in discussions about social inequality, business competition, or political power dynamics.

📖Word Origin

The idiom originates from the natural behavior of larger fish preying on smaller ones, extended to describe human social and economic dynamics.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used to criticize or highlight power imbalances, corporate monopolies, or systemic injustices.

Word Breakdown

cá lớn
big fish
root
+
nuốt
to swallow
root
+
cá bé
small fish
root
Từ Điển Việt Anh