Signification
Asking for mercy or surrendering completely.
Contexte culturel
In the 17th century, this gesture was a recognized part of the 'Sharanagati' (taking refuge) protocol. It allowed a defeated enemy to save their life by showing they were no longer a threat. The cow (Gau) is sacred and never to be harmed. By holding grass (the cow's food), a human symbolically adopts the cow's protected status. Saint-poets like Tukaram and Namdev used similar metaphors to show their total surrender to God (Vitthal). Even today, in village disputes, someone might use this phrase to show they are ending a feud and will not cause further trouble.
Use for Emphasis
Use this phrase when 'sorry' isn't enough. It shows you know the gravity of the situation.
Avoid Literalism
Do not use this if you are actually talking about animals or gardening. It is strictly metaphorical in modern Marathi.
Signification
Asking for mercy or surrendering completely.
Use for Emphasis
Use this phrase when 'sorry' isn't enough. It shows you know the gravity of the situation.
Avoid Literalism
Do not use this if you are actually talking about animals or gardening. It is strictly metaphorical in modern Marathi.
Historical Context
If you use this while discussing Maratha history, you will sound like an expert speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
जेव्हा पोलिसांनी चोराला घेरले, तेव्हा त्याने ________.
The object 'तृण' is neuter, so the verb in the past tense must be 'धरले'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'दाती तृण धरणे'?
Choose the best context:
The idiom is formal and relates to total surrender or begging for mercy.
Match the Marathi phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All are related, but 'दाती तृण धरणे' specifically implies the symbolic act of begging for mercy.
Complete the dialogue between two historical characters.
Character A: 'तुझा पराभव झाला आहे!' Character B: 'हो, मी ________ आपली क्षमा मागतो.'
'दाती तृण धरून' is the correct gerund form used in an apology.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to Say 'I Give Up'
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesजेव्हा पोलिसांनी चोराला घेरले, तेव्हा त्याने ________.
The object 'तृण' is neuter, so the verb in the past tense must be 'धरले'.
Choose the best context:
The idiom is formal and relates to total surrender or begging for mercy.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All are related, but 'दाती तृण धरणे' specifically implies the symbolic act of begging for mercy.
Character A: 'तुझा पराभव झाला आहे!' Character B: 'हो, मी ________ आपली क्षमा मागतो.'
'दाती तृण धरून' is the correct gerund form used in an apology.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, but mostly in writing, news, and formal speeches. It's rare in casual texting.
Only if you've made a catastrophic mistake and want to be very dramatic/humble. Otherwise, it's too much.
'गवत' is the common word for grass. 'तृण' is the formal/Sanskrit word used specifically in this idiom.
No, it's a sign of extreme humility, though it does imply a position of weakness.
It's culturally rooted in Hindu values regarding cows, but the idiom itself is used by everyone regardless of religion.
In the past tense, it remains 'धरले' because it agrees with the neuter object 'तृण'. Example: 'तिने दाती तृण धरले'.
People sometimes just say 'शरण आला' (he surrendered), but it loses the 'grass' imagery.
Yes, friends might use it sarcastically when someone finally admits they were wrong about a small thing.
'दंड थोपटणे' (to challenge/fight) or 'शड्डू ठोकणे'.
Yes, similar concepts exist in Hindi (दाँतों तले उँगली दबाना is different, but 'तृण धरना' exists in old literature).
Because grass is the food of the cow, the ultimate symbol of a non-combatant in ancient India.
Yes, to describe a team that gave up completely without a fight.
No, it's an old locative form. In modern Marathi, we usually say 'दातात'.
It's B1/B2 because it requires understanding of figurative language and cultural history.
Expressions liées
शरण येणे
synonymTo surrender or take refuge.
हार मानणे
similarTo accept defeat.
गुडघे टेकणे
similarTo kneel down.
नांगी टाकणे
contrastTo lose one's sting/power.
अभय देणे
builds onTo grant protection/safety.
