Signification
To reveal one's true character or intentions, often negative.
Contexte culturel
The 'Gelim' is a symbol of modesty and the 'inner' life. Showing anything outside of it is seen as a breach of social harmony. Classical poets like Saadi and Rumi often used animal metaphors to describe human ego (Nafs). The 'tail' is often associated with the lower, animalistic self. Filmmakers like Asghar Farhadi often build entire plots around the moment a character 'pulls their tail out from the rug,' revealing a lie that destroys their social standing. In the traditional market (Bazaar), trust is everything. If a merchant 'pulls their tail out' by cheating a customer, they lose their 'Abrou' (honor) in the whole community.
Use the possessive
Always remember to add the possessive suffix to 'Dom' (e.g., damesh, damet) to make it sound natural.
It's negative!
Never use this for a good person revealing a talent. It's strictly for bad intentions.
Signification
To reveal one's true character or intentions, often negative.
Use the possessive
Always remember to add the possessive suffix to 'Dom' (e.g., damesh, damet) to make it sound natural.
It's negative!
Never use this for a good person revealing a talent. It's strictly for bad intentions.
The 'Fall' variation
Use 'دمش از گلیم بیرون افتاد' (His tail fell out) if you want to sound more like the exposure was an accident.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
او همیشه تظاهر میکرد که فقیر است، اما وقتی ماشین جدیدش را خرید، بالاخره _______ را از گلیم بیرون کشید.
The idiom specifically uses 'دم' (tail) to refer to revealing true character.
Which situation best fits the use of this idiom?
In which scenario would you say someone 'pulled their tail out from the rug'?
The idiom is used when a hidden negative trait or action is revealed.
Complete the dialogue.
شخص الف: علی بالاخره اعتراف کرد که او بود که شایعه را پخش کرد. شخص ب: ________.
This fits the context of someone's bad deed being exposed.
Match the Persian idiom to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all related but distinct Persian idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesاو همیشه تظاهر میکرد که فقیر است، اما وقتی ماشین جدیدش را خرید، بالاخره _______ را از گلیم بیرون کشید.
The idiom specifically uses 'دم' (tail) to refer to revealing true character.
In which scenario would you say someone 'pulled their tail out from the rug'?
The idiom is used when a hidden negative trait or action is revealed.
شخص الف: علی بالاخره اعتراف کرد که او بود که شایعه را پخش کرد. شخص ب: ________.
This fits the context of someone's bad deed being exposed.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all related but distinct Persian idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is not 'swear-word' rude, but it is very critical. You wouldn't say it to someone's face unless you are arguing.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. 'Damesh' applies to both 'his' and 'her'.
They are almost identical, but the Persian one specifically implies the person was trying to act 'small' or 'humble' (under the rug) first.
No, it must be 'Gelim'. Using 'Farsh' (carpet) sounds wrong to native speakers.
Only in opinion pieces or literature. Avoid it in formal reports.
Often, yes. The 'tail' imagery is strongly linked to the fox in Persian fables.
You would say 'دمم را از گلیم بیرون کشیدم', but usually people use this for others, not themselves!
Sometimes people just say 'دمش بیرون افتاد' (His tail fell out).
Yes, you can say a company 'pulled its tail out' when it reveals a hidden fee or bad policy.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'تظاهر کردن' (to pretend) is the action that happens before the tail comes out.
Expressions liées
پا از گلیم درازتر کردن
similarTo overstep one's bounds or authority.
دست کسی رو شدن
similarTo have one's secret or lie exposed.
گرگ در لباس میش
builds onA wolf in sheep's clothing.
خود را به موشمردگی زدن
contrastTo play dead/innocent to avoid trouble.
