size someone up
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 size someone up、wait and see how someone acts、observe someone’s approach、test the waters
It means to watch how someone acts, what they intend, or how strong they are before deciding your next move. It is often used in strategic, competitive, or negotiation-like situations.
size someone up、wait and see how someone acts、observe someone’s approach、test the waters
To observe someone’s moves, attitude, intentions, or ability in order to decide how to respond. It is more strategic than simply “watching.”
Learning notes
Explanation
ดู means “to look/watch,” and เชิง in this expression points to someone’s approach, attitude, tactic, or way of making a move. ดูเชิง is not ordinary visual watching; it means reading the other side before deciding what to do. It fits situations involving strategy, competition, negotiation, or interpersonal maneuvering.
Usage
Use it when you are waiting to see the other side’s conditions in a negotiation, sizing up an opponent in a match, or reading someone’s attitude or intentions in a relationship or social situation. Common patterns include รอดูเชิง, “wait and see how they act,” and ลองดูเชิง, “test the waters.”
Caution
Do not use ดูเชิง for simply watching a movie, looking at a photo, or seeing scenery. Use plain ดู for that. ดูเชิง is natural when you are reading someone’s attitude, intentions, tactics, or next move.
Differences from similar words
1 size someone up synonyms
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หยั่งเชิง more strongly suggests probing or testing someone to reveal their reaction. ดูเชิง focuses more on observing and reading the situation before acting.