Signification
Discarding something as useless.
Contexte culturel
In many Tamil households, 'Kuppai' is strictly kept outside the main living area. Calling an idea 'kuppai' is a strong way to say it has no place in a clean, logical mind. With the rise of IT jobs, 'Kuppai' is often used to describe 'bad code' or 'useless data'. Heroes often use the phrase 'தூக்கி குப்பையில போடு' (Pick it up and throw it in the trash) to show they don't care about the villain's threats or money. The usage is identical in Sri Lanka, though the accent and some surrounding verbs might differ slightly (e.g., using 'வீசு' instead of 'எறி').
Use 'Podu' for Politeness
If you want to be less aggressive, use 'Kuppaiyil podu' (Put it in the trash) instead of 'Eri' (Throw).
Avoid with Elders
Never use this phrase when an elder or teacher gives you advice, even if you think the advice is bad. It is considered very disrespectful.
Signification
Discarding something as useless.
Use 'Podu' for Politeness
If you want to be less aggressive, use 'Kuppaiyil podu' (Put it in the trash) instead of 'Eri' (Throw).
Avoid with Elders
Never use this phrase when an elder or teacher gives you advice, even if you think the advice is bad. It is considered very disrespectful.
The 'Thookki' Add-on
Add 'Thookki' (pick up) before the phrase to sound like a native speaker: 'Thookki kuppaiyil eri!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
அவன் கொடுத்த பழைய போன் வேலை செய்யவில்லை, அதை _________.
We use 'குப்பையில் எறி' to mean 'throw it in the trash'.
Which sentence uses the idiom figuratively?
Select the figurative usage:
Throwing 'worries' (கவலைகள்) is a figurative use because worries are not physical objects.
Match the situation to the correct response.
Situation: Your friend gives you a very bad suggestion for a party.
You discard a bad suggestion by 'throwing it in the trash'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: இந்தத் திட்டம் தோல்வி அடைந்துவிட்டது. B: ஆமாம், நம் உழைப்பு எல்லாம் _________.
When effort is wasted, we say it was 'thrown in the trash'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஅவன் கொடுத்த பழைய போன் வேலை செய்யவில்லை, அதை _________.
We use 'குப்பையில் எறி' to mean 'throw it in the trash'.
Select the figurative usage:
Throwing 'worries' (கவலைகள்) is a figurative use because worries are not physical objects.
Situation: Your friend gives you a very bad suggestion for a party.
You discard a bad suggestion by 'throwing it in the trash'.
A: இந்தத் திட்டம் தோல்வி அடைந்துவிட்டது. B: ஆமாம், நம் உழைப்பு எல்லாம் _________.
When effort is wasted, we say it was 'thrown in the trash'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it can be quite blunt. Use it with friends or when you are genuinely frustrated, but avoid it in formal or respectful contexts.
Yes! You can say 'இந்த பைலை (file) குப்பையில் எறி' to mean 'Delete this file'.
'Eri' means throw (more forceful), while 'Podu' means put (more neutral).
குப்பையில் எறியாதே (Kuppaiyil eriyathey).
Not exactly an idiom, but the word 'புறக்கணி' (Purakkani) is the formal way to say 'reject'.
It is very insulting. It's better to say 'அவனை விட்டுவிடு' (Leave him) or 'அவனை மதிக்காதே' (Don't respect him).
Usually, yes. It implies the thing has zero value.
Yes, that is a literal and perfect use of the phrase.
Yes, 'குப்பை கொட்டுவது' (dumping trash) is sometimes used to mean doing a boring, repetitive job.
'பத்திரமாக வை' (Keep it safely) or 'பயன்படுத்து' (Use it).
Expressions liées
தூக்கி எறி
similarTo discard something forcefully.
புறக்கணி
synonymTo reject or ignore.
வீணாக்கு
builds onTo waste.
கைவிடு
similarTo abandon.
