The Vietnamese phrase "bẹp tai" literally means "flat ears." In a more colloquial and metaphorical sense, it is used to refer to people who have become addicted to opium, often implying that they are in a state of submission or defeat due to their addiction.
"Nhiều người trong khu phố này đã trở thành dân bẹp tai vì thuốc phiện."
(Many people in this neighborhood have become opium addicts.)
"Chúng ta cần giúp đỡ những người bẹp tai thay vì chỉ trích họ."
(We need to help those who are addicted instead of just criticizing them.)
In a more figurative sense, "bẹp tai" can be used to describe someone who is overwhelmed or defeated by a situation, not just limited to addiction.
While "bẹp tai" primarily refers to opium addiction, it can also be interpreted more broadly as feeling defeated or submissive under pressure in other contexts.