Signification
Scaring someone into compliance.
Contexte culturel
In Turkish news, you will see this phrase almost daily. It is the standard way to describe military drills in the Aegean or Mediterranean seas, or a political leader's harsh warning to another party. In 'Mafia' or 'Action' dramas like 'Kurtlar Vadisi' or 'Çukur', characters often give 'göz dağı' by sending a symbolic item (like a black rose or a specific bullet) to their enemies. Before 'Derby' matches (e.g., Fenerbahçe vs. Galatasaray), fans and club presidents use this idiom in social media and press conferences to assert dominance. Turkish workplace culture can be hierarchical. A manager might use a 'göz dağı' (like a sudden audit) to ensure everyone is following the rules strictly.
Remember the Dative
Always use -e or -a for the person you are threatening. 'MüdürE göz dağı verdim.'
Don't over-use it
This is a strong idiom. Using it in a lighthearted context might make you sound more aggressive than you intend.
Signification
Scaring someone into compliance.
Remember the Dative
Always use -e or -a for the person you are threatening. 'MüdürE göz dağı verdim.'
Don't over-use it
This is a strong idiom. Using it in a lighthearted context might make you sound more aggressive than you intend.
News Reading
If you see 'gözdağı' in a headline, look for the country or person mentioned right before it with an -e/-a suffix. That's the target!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'vermek'.
Patron, işçilere göz dağı ______ için maaşları geç yatırdı.
The idiom is 'göz dağı vermek'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
A) Ali'yi göz dağı verdim. B) Ali'ye göz dağı verdim. C) Ali'de göz dağı verdim. D) Ali'den göz dağı verdim.
The person being intimidated must take the dative case (-e/-a).
Match the situation to the action.
Bir boksörün maçtan önce rakibinin gözlerinin içine sertçe bakması nedir?
Intimidating an opponent before a fight is a classic 'göz dağı'.
Complete the dialogue.
- Neden o kadar çok polis var? - Sanırım suçlulara ______ istiyorlar.
A large police presence is often a show of force to deter criminals.
Match the idiom with its synonym.
Göz dağı vermek = ?
Tehdit etmek (to threaten) is the closest synonym.
Fill in the missing word.
Bana göz ______ vermeye çalışma, senden korkmuyorum!
The idiom is 'göz dağı'.
🎉 Score : /6
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
6 exercicesPatron, işçilere göz dağı ______ için maaşları geç yatırdı.
The idiom is 'göz dağı vermek'.
A) Ali'yi göz dağı verdim. B) Ali'ye göz dağı verdim. C) Ali'de göz dağı verdim. D) Ali'den göz dağı verdim.
The person being intimidated must take the dative case (-e/-a).
Bir boksörün maçtan önce rakibinin gözlerinin içine sertçe bakması nedir?
Intimidating an opponent before a fight is a classic 'göz dağı'.
- Neden o kadar çok polis var? - Sanırım suçlulara ______ istiyorlar.
A large police presence is often a show of force to deter criminals.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Tehdit etmek (to threaten) is the closest synonym.
Bana göz ______ vermeye çalışma, senden korkmuyorum!
The idiom is 'göz dağı'.
🎉 Score : /6
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt is traditionally written as two words 'göz dağı', but in modern usage and some dictionaries, you might see it as 'gözdağı'. Both are generally understood, but TDK prefers two words for the verb form.
Yes, but it usually refers to the *warning* or *show of force* before any physical action happens.
'Tehdit etmek' is a direct verb meaning 'to threaten'. 'Göz dağı vermek' is more idiomatic and often implies a more public or strategic show of power.
It describes an aggressive act, so the idiom itself isn't 'rude', but the action it describes usually is!
Expressions liées
aba altından sopa göstermek
similarTo threaten someone indirectly or subtly.
posta koymak
slangTo challenge someone or stand up to them aggressively.
gözü korkmak
builds onTo be intimidated or scared.
meydan okumak
similarTo challenge someone openly.
diş göstermek
synonymTo show one's teeth (to show one's power).
