Bedeutung
To look left and right nervously, showing embarrassment or confusion.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In many Indian offices, admitting 'I don't know' is often avoided. Instead, people might 'बगले झाँकना' or give vague answers to maintain a professional facade. Rote learning is common, and when students are asked conceptual questions outside the textbook, they often find themselves 'बगले झाँकते हुए' because they weren't prepared for critical thinking. Directly pointing out that someone is 'बगले झाँक रहा है' can be seen as aggressive or rude. It is often used to describe someone else in their absence or in a narrative. This idiom is a favorite of Bollywood scriptwriters to describe a villain who has been caught or a hero who is shyly avoiding a question about his love interest.
Use with 'Lagna'
This idiom sounds most natural when used with 'लगना' (to start). Example: 'वह बगले झाँकने लगा' (He started looking around nervously).
Don't use for shyness
If someone is shy because of a compliment, use 'शर्माना'. Use 'बगले झाँकना' only if they are embarrassed by a question or a mistake.
Bedeutung
To look left and right nervously, showing embarrassment or confusion.
Use with 'Lagna'
This idiom sounds most natural when used with 'लगना' (to start). Example: 'वह बगले झाँकने लगा' (He started looking around nervously).
Don't use for shyness
If someone is shy because of a compliment, use 'शर्माना'. Use 'बगले झाँकना' only if they are embarrassed by a question or a mistake.
The 'Eye' Factor
In India, avoiding eye contact is a major sign of guilt. This idiom perfectly describes that cultural cue.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
जब पुलिस ने चोर से पूछा कि चोरी का माल कहाँ है, तो वह ______।
The thief would be embarrassed or speechless, which is 'बगले झाँकना'. 'बगलें बजाना' means to be happy, which is wrong here.
Which situation best describes 'बगले झाँकना'?
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
Forgetting a speech on stage causes embarrassment and speechlessness, the core meaning of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
बॉस: 'राहुल, प्रोजेक्ट की रिपोर्ट कहाँ है?' राहुल: 'सर... वो... असल में...' नैरेटर: राहुल बॉस के सामने ______।
Rahul is caught without his report and is making excuses, making him look around nervously.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Match the following:
The idiom 'बगले झाँकना' means to be without an answer (निरुत्तर होना).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Don't Confuse These!
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenजब पुलिस ने चोर से पूछा कि चोरी का माल कहाँ है, तो वह ______।
The thief would be embarrassed or speechless, which is 'बगले झाँकना'. 'बगलें बजाना' means to be happy, which is wrong here.
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
Forgetting a speech on stage causes embarrassment and speechlessness, the core meaning of the idiom.
बॉस: 'राहुल, प्रोजेक्ट की रिपोर्ट कहाँ है?' राहुल: 'सर... वो... असल में...' नैरेटर: राहुल बॉस के सामने ______।
Rahul is caught without his report and is making excuses, making him look around nervously.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
The idiom 'बगले झाँकना' means to be without an answer (निरुत्तर होना).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's not a swear word, but it is a bit critical. It's better to use it to describe a third person rather than saying it directly to someone's face unless you are teasing them.
Yes! 'मैं बगले झाँकने लगा' is a great way to humbly admit you were stumped or embarrassed.
'Niruttar' is a formal word (adjective). 'Bagle Jhaankna' is a vivid idiom (verb phrase). Use the former in essays and the latter in stories or talk.
Yes, 'bagal' can mean armpit, but in this idiom, it refers to the 'sides' of your body/vision.
Yes, especially in journalism to describe politicians who can't answer questions.
No, it is almost always used in the plural 'बगले' or 'बगलें'.
Yes, 'बगलें बजाना' (Baglen Bajana) means to be very happy or to celebrate.
Only the verb 'झाँकना' changes. 'वह बगले झाँकने लगी' (She started looking around nervously).
Very common! You'll hear it in many movies during scenes of interrogation or social awkwardness.
Technically yes, but people will think you are using the idiom. Better to just say 'कुत्ता अपनी बगल देख रहा है'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
निरुत्तर होना
synonymTo be speechless/without an answer
बगलें बजाना
contrastTo be extremely happy/triumphant
मुँह छिपाना
similarTo hide one's face in shame
आँखें चुराना
similarTo avoid eye contact
हक्का-बक्का रह जाना
builds onTo be stunned/flabbergasted
