snatch
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- 1 snatch、steal
- 2 exploit (an opportunity or situation)、seize for one's own benefit
This word describes quickly taking something for oneself by exploiting an opening, whether it is a physical possession, an opportunity, or an advantage. It often suggests selfishness or wrongdoing.
snatch、steal
Describes quickly taking someone else's property by exploiting a moment of inattention or confusion.
exploit (an opportunity or situation)、seize for one's own benefit
Describes exploiting an opportunity, situation, or another person's hardship to gain an advantage, usually with a critical undertone.
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นักการเมืองฉกฉวยสถานการณ์เพื่อโจมตีฝ่ายตรงข้าม nák kaan mʉaŋ chòkchǔay sathǎanna kaan phʉ̂a coomtii fàay troŋ khâam The politician exploited the situation to attack the opposition. นักการเมืองฉกฉวยสถานการณ์เพื่อโจมตีฝ่ายตรงข้าม details
Learning notes
Explanation
ฉกฉวย combines ฉก, “to snatch suddenly,” with ฉวย, “to grab quickly.” Its central image is of spotting an opening and swiftly taking something for oneself. With physical objects, it refers to snatching or stealing. With abstract objects, common patterns include ฉกฉวยโอกาส, exploiting an opportunity, and ฉกฉวยผลประโยชน์, securing benefits for oneself. The latter usage often criticizes someone for profiting from another person's vulnerability or from social disorder.
Usage
It is used for theft or looting and for criticizing people who profit from disasters, disorder, political events, positions of power, or the hardship of others. Although readily understood in conversation, it is especially common in news reports, commentary, and discussions of social issues.
Caution
ฉกฉวยโอกาส may make a person's success sound opportunistic or selfish. For a positive sense of “seize an opportunity,” คว้าโอกาส is usually safer. For simply holding or grabbing an object without any suggestion of theft or exploitation, use จับ or คว้า instead.