Signification
To make someone reveal information they were reluctant to share.
Contexte culturel
In Iran, being 'kam-harf' (a person of few words) is often seen as a sign of dignity or 'sangini' (heaviness/gravity). This makes 'pulling words' a common social necessity. Tehranis often add 'biroon' (out) to the end of the phrase for emphasis, making it 'harf az dahanesh keshidam biroon'. Classical poets like Rumi often talk about the 'mouth' as a place that should be kept shut to protect the soul's secrets, which provides the backdrop for this idiom. On Iranian Twitter, users often use this phrase when a celebrity is being vague about a scandal or a new project.
Use with 'Anbordast'
To sound like a native, use 'ba anbordast' (with pliers) when talking about someone very stubborn. It adds a humorous touch.
Don't use for 'Lying'
This idiom is about getting the truth or information, not about making someone lie.
Signification
To make someone reveal information they were reluctant to share.
Use with 'Anbordast'
To sound like a native, use 'ba anbordast' (with pliers) when talking about someone very stubborn. It adds a humorous touch.
Don't use for 'Lying'
This idiom is about getting the truth or information, not about making someone lie.
Ta'arof Context
If someone refuses food three times, you might need to 'pull words' out to see if they are actually full or just being polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Past Tense).
من بالاخره از دهان او حرف ______.
The idiom uses the verb 'keshidan' (to pull).
Which sentence best describes a person who is very hard to get information from?
کدام جمله درست است؟
This is a common hyperbolic way to say someone is very quiet or secretive.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: مریم بالاخره گفت کجا میره؟ نیما: نه، هر کاری کردم نتونستم ...
The context implies trying to get a secret out of Maryam.
Match the idiom to the situation.
A detective trying to get a confession.
Detectives extract information, which is exactly what this idiom means.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Persian vs. English
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesمن بالاخره از دهان او حرف ______.
The idiom uses the verb 'keshidan' (to pull).
کدام جمله درست است؟
This is a common hyperbolic way to say someone is very quiet or secretive.
سارا: مریم بالاخره گفت کجا میره؟ نیما: نه، هر کاری کردم نتونستم ...
The context implies trying to get a secret out of Maryam.
A detective trying to get a confession.
Detectives extract information, which is exactly what this idiom means.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot necessarily, but it implies the other person was being difficult or secretive. Use it with friends or when complaining about someone.
Yes, it's very common to use it for children who are shy or hiding a mistake.
They are interchangeable. 'Az zir-e zaban' (under the tongue) is slightly more idiomatic for deep secrets.
Yes, 'keshidan' is used for drawing, smoking, and pulling objects.
You say 'Keshidam biroon'.
Yes, 'Istikhraj-e ettela'at' is the formal/technical version.
Yes, like 'I finally got him to open up and talk about his feelings.'
No, that would be 'paridan too harf-e kasi'.
Rarely in classical poetry, but very common in modern lyrics.
Yes: 'Az dahanam harf keshid.'
People will understand you, but it won't sound like a native idiom.
Yes, Dari speakers use similar constructions with 'keshidan'.
Only if you are jokingly pretending the dog can talk and has a secret.
The opposite would be 'Dahan-laghi' (blabbing) or 'Harf zadan' (just talking).
Expressions liées
از زیر زبان کسی حرف کشیدن
synonymTo pull words from under someone's tongue.
دهن به دهن شدن
contrastTo argue back and forth.
حرف تو دهن کسی گذاشتن
contrastTo put words in someone's mouth.
زبان کشیدن
similarTo lick or to pry.
توی دهن کسی زدن
contrastTo shut someone up / To punch in the mouth.
