A2 Idiom Neutral

حبل الكذب قصير

habl al-kadhib qasir

The rope of lies is short

Significado

Lies don't last long and are eventually exposed.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Egyptians often use the variation 'El-kidb malosh reglein' (Lies have no feet). It's used very humorously in Egyptian cinema to mock a clumsy liar. In the Gulf, the phrase is often used in a more serious, moralistic tone, emphasizing the loss of 'Wajh' (face/honor). In Lebanon and Syria, the phrase is common in political discourse to criticize government promises. In Morocco and Algeria, the phrase is used but often accompanied by local proverbs about the 'Niya' (intention).

💡

Use it for emphasis

Adding 'حقاً' (really) at the end makes it sound more natural when a lie is exposed.

⚠️

Gender matching

Remember 'Habl' is masculine. Don't say 'qasira'!

Significado

Lies don't last long and are eventually exposed.

💡

Use it for emphasis

Adding 'حقاً' (really) at the end makes it sound more natural when a lie is exposed.

⚠️

Gender matching

Remember 'Habl' is masculine. Don't say 'qasira'!

🎯

Dialect variation

In Egypt, drop the 'dh' sound and say 'el-kidb' with a 'd' sound.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the proverb with the correct word.

حبل الكذب _______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: قصير

The proverb is 'Habl al-kadhib qasir' (The rope of lies is short).

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in a social context?

صديقك يكذب عليك دائماً، ماذا تقول له؟

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: توقف عن الكذب، فحبل الكذب قصير.

This correctly uses the idiom as a warning/admonition.

Match the Arabic word to its English meaning in the idiom.

Match the following:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: all

These are the three core components of the phrase.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

أحمد: 'لقد سرقوا مالي وهربوا!' خالد: 'لا تقلق، الشرطة ستجدهم، فـ _________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: حبل الكذب قصير

The context of a crime being solved fits the idiom perfectly.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Regional Variations

MSA
حبل الكذب قصير The rope of lies is short
Egyptian
الكذب ملوش رجلين Lies have no feet

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the proverb with the correct word. Fill Blank A1

حبل الكذب _______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: قصير

The proverb is 'Habl al-kadhib qasir' (The rope of lies is short).

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in a social context? Choose A2

صديقك يكذب عليك دائماً، ماذا تقول له؟

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: توقف عن الكذب، فحبل الكذب قصير.

This correctly uses the idiom as a warning/admonition.

Match the Arabic word to its English meaning in the idiom. Match A1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: all

These are the three core components of the phrase.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

أحمد: 'لقد سرقوا مالي وهربوا!' خالد: 'لا تقلق، الشرطة ستجدهم، فـ _________.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: حبل الكذب قصير

The context of a crime being solved fits the idiom perfectly.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

While it aligns with Islamic values, it is a secular linguistic proverb used by everyone.

It's a bit heavy for a small joke; it's better for actual deception.

The opposite is 'Al-sidq munjat' (Truth is salvation).

Say 'El-kidb malosh reglein'.

Because a rope is a tool to reach a goal; a short one fails to reach the goal.

It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or with a friend.

Yes, but it can figuratively mean a bond or a lifeline.

People will understand you, but it's not a standard proverb.

Yes, it is one of the most universally understood Arabic proverbs.

It is A2 because the vocabulary is simple but the meaning is idiomatic.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

الصدق منجاة

contrast

Truth is salvation.

🔄

الكذب ملوش رجلين

synonym

Lies have no feet.

🔗

كذبة بيضاء

specialized form

A white lie.

🔗

حبل الله

builds on

The rope of God.

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