โหน
hang while holding on
Native recording
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- 1 hang while holding on、swing from 、cling to
- 2 capitalize on (a trend, issue, or person's popularity)、invoke (a person or institution) for one's own advantage
This word primarily describes holding on to something while hanging or swinging from it. Figuratively, it can mean exploiting a trend, person, institution, or issue for attention, credibility, or personal advantage.
hang while holding on、swing from 、cling to
To support oneself by holding on to a branch, bar, rope, vehicle, or similar object, often while hanging or swinging.
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เด็กโหนกิ่งไม้ dèk hǒon kìŋ máay The child is hanging from a tree branch. เด็กโหนกิ่งไม้ details
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ทาร์ซานโหนเถาวัลย์ thaasaan hǒon thǎwwan Tarzan swings from a vine. ทาร์ซานโหนเถาวัลย์ details
capitalize on (a trend, issue, or person's popularity)、invoke (a person or institution) for one's own advantage
A critical figurative use meaning to latch onto or invoke a trend, person, institution, or issue for attention, credibility, justification, or personal gain.
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เขาถูกวิจารณ์ว่าโหนคนดัง khǎw thùuk wícaan wâa hǒon khon daŋ He was criticized for exploiting a celebrity's fame. เขาถูกวิจารณ์ว่าโหนคนดัง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image is that of holding on to something and letting it support one's weight. In the literal sense, it is used when someone grips a branch, exercise bar, rope, or similar object and hangs or swings from it. It can also describe dangerously clinging to the outside or doorway of a crowded vehicle. Figuratively, the same image is applied to someone who “hangs on” to the influence of a trend, celebrity, institution, authority, or public issue to gain attention, credibility, justification, or some other benefit. โหนกระแส is especially common in news, social media, and political commentary and is usually critical.
Usage
Literally, it is common when describing children hanging from branches, people exercising on bars, or people and animals swinging from ropes or vines. Figuratively, it appears when criticizing someone for using a trending topic to attract views, borrowing a celebrity's fame to gain attention, or invoking an event or institution for political or personal advantage.
Caution
Do not normally use โหน merely because an object is hanging downward; ห้อย is generally used for that state. โหน typically implies actively gripping something and placing one's weight on it. The figurative use is often accusatory. For a neutral idea such as following or adopting a trend, ตามกระแส or เกาะกระแส may be more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 hang while holding on synonyms
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ห้อย broadly describes something hanging or dangling downward. โหน usually involves a person or animal actively holding on and supporting their weight.
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เกาะ generally means to hold on or cling to something and does not require the body to be suspended. โหน emphasizes hanging one's weight from what one is holding.
2 capitalize on (a trend, issue, or person's popularity) synonyms
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อ้าง broadly means to cite, invoke, or claim something and may be neutral. โหน more strongly suggests opportunistically using it to improve one's image, justify oneself, or gain an advantage.