Signification
To be absolutely certain about someone's integrity
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Philotimo' is central here. Vouching for someone is a serious social contract. If you 'put your hand in the fire' and are wrong, you lose social standing. The idiom reflects the 'Ordeal by Fire' which was a legal reality in the Byzantine Empire until the 13th century. You will often hear this in Greek 'Parathyra' (TV panel discussions) where politicians defend their colleagues. Similar to Italy and Spain, Greek culture values personal testimony over cold evidence. This idiom is the verbal equivalent of a character witness.
Use the Negative
Greeks use 'Δεν βάζω και το χέρι μου στη φωτιά' very often to be polite but cautious about someone.
Don't use for objects
Remember, this is for people's character. Don't use it for your phone's battery life!
Signification
To be absolutely certain about someone's integrity
Use the Negative
Greeks use 'Δεν βάζω και το χέρι μου στη φωτιά' very often to be polite but cautious about someone.
Don't use for objects
Remember, this is for people's character. Don't use it for your phone's battery life!
Body Language
When saying this, Greeks often make a firm downward gesture with their hand to show conviction.
Possessive Pronoun
Always try to include 'μου' (my) or 'σου' (your) to sound more like a native speaker.
Teste-toi
Συμπληρώστε τη λέξη που λείπει.
Για την τιμιότητα του αδερφού μου, βάζω το ___ μου στη φωτιά.
The idiom specifically uses 'χέρι' (hand).
Πότε χρησιμοποιούμε αυτή τη φράση;
Βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά για τον Κώστα σημαίνει:
The idiom expresses absolute trust.
Ολοκληρώστε τον διάλογο.
Α: - Είσαι σίγουρος ότι ο Γιάννης δεν έκλεψε το κινητό σου; Β: - Ναι, τον ξέρω καλά. ___.
This is the correct idiomatic form to express certainty about someone's innocence.
Ταιριάξτε τη φράση με την κατάσταση.
Σε ποια περίπτωση θα λέγατε 'Δεν βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά';
The negative form is used to express skepticism.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΓια την τιμιότητα του αδερφού μου, βάζω το ___ μου στη φωτιά.
The idiom specifically uses 'χέρι' (hand).
Βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά για τον Κώστα σημαίνει:
The idiom expresses absolute trust.
Α: - Είσαι σίγουρος ότι ο Γιάννης δεν έκλεψε το κινητό σου; Β: - Ναι, τον ξέρω καλά. ___.
This is the correct idiomatic form to express certainty about someone's innocence.
Σε ποια περίπτωση θα λέγατε 'Δεν βάζω το χέρι μου στη φωτιά';
The negative form is used to express skepticism.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if you are recommending someone else. It shows you are very confident in them.
Not at all. It's a very passionate and positive expression of trust.
People will understand you, but it will sound funny and incorrect.
Yes, 'εγγυώμαι πλήρως' (I guarantee fully) is the formal equivalent.
Rarely. It's usually about vouching for someone else. For yourself, just say 'Σας δίνω τον λόγο μου' (I give you my word).
90% of the time, yes. Occasionally it's used for very certain events, but stick to people first.
It's not 'slang,' it's a standard idiom used by all ages.
The past tense is 'έβαλα'. Example: 'Έβαλα το χέρι μου στη φωτιά για σένα.'
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'δεν τον εμπιστεύομαι καθόλου' (I don't trust him at all) works.
No, it's 'στη' (in the) and 'φωτιά' (fire).
Expressions liées
Κόβω το κεφάλι μου
similarI'd bet my head on it
Εγγυώμαι
synonymI guarantee
Τον εμπιστεύομαι με κλειστά μάτια
similarI trust him with closed eyes
Παίρνω τον όρκο μου
similarI take my oath
