A1 Idiom अनौपचारिक

آب زیر کاه

âb-e zir-e kâh

Deceitful person

मतलब

Describes a cunning, sly, or deceptive person who hides their true intentions.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

In Iran, direct confrontation is often avoided (Ta'arof culture). This sometimes leads to people being 'Ab zir-e kah' because they feel they cannot express disagreement openly. Classical poets like Hafez often warn against 'Riya' (hypocrisy), which is the spiritual cousin of being 'Ab zir-e kah'. Many Iranian 'social drama' films revolve around a character who is discovered to be 'Ab zir-e kah', leading to a family crisis.

⚠️

It's an Insult

Never use this to someone's face unless you want to start a fight. It's for talking *about* people.

🎯

Use with 'Adam'

Saying 'Adam-e ab zir-e kah' (A water-under-straw person) sounds very natural and native.

मतलब

Describes a cunning, sly, or deceptive person who hides their true intentions.

⚠️

It's an Insult

Never use this to someone's face unless you want to start a fight. It's for talking *about* people.

🎯

Use with 'Adam'

Saying 'Adam-e ab zir-e kah' (A water-under-straw person) sounds very natural and native.

💬

Watch the Eyes

In Iran, if someone says this about another person, they often squint their eyes to show suspicion.

खुद को परखो

Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.

او همیشه لبخند می‌زند اما پشت سر همه حرف می‌زند؛ او واقعاً ____ است.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آب زیر کاه

The context of smiling while talking behind backs indicates sneakiness.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'آب زیر کاه'?

A person who...

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Is quiet but secretly plans to trick others.

The idiom specifically targets hidden deception.

Match the Persian word to its English equivalent.

1. آب (Ab), 2. زیر (Zir), 3. کاه (Kah)

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

Literal components of the idiom.

What would Reza say?

Ali: 'I trust him completely.' Reza: 'Don't! He is ____.'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آب زیر کاه

Reza is warning Ali against trusting someone.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अभ्यास बैंक

4 अभ्यास
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom. Fill Blank A1

او همیشه لبخند می‌زند اما پشت سر همه حرف می‌زند؛ او واقعاً ____ است.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آب زیر کاه

The context of smiling while talking behind backs indicates sneakiness.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'آب زیر کاه'? Choose A2

A person who...

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Is quiet but secretly plans to trick others.

The idiom specifically targets hidden deception.

Match the Persian word to its English equivalent. Match A1

बाईं ओर के प्रत्येक आइटम को दाईं ओर के उसके जोड़े से मिलाएं:

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

Literal components of the idiom.

What would Reza say? dialogue_completion B1

Ali: 'I trust him completely.' Reza: 'Don't! He is ____.'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آب زیر کاه

Reza is warning Ali against trusting someone.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

6 सवाल

Yes, it is 100% negative. It implies dishonesty and hidden malice.

Only if they are being unusually manipulative, but it's usually too heavy for children.

A person who is 'Khaki' (down to earth) or 'Yek-ru' (one-faced/honest).

It is informal to neutral. You won't see it in a legal contract, but you will see it in a newspaper editorial.

Add 'ha' to 'Adam': 'Adam-ha-ye ab zir-e kah'.

No. A smart person is 'ba-hoosh'. This person uses their smarts to trick people.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔄

مار خوش خط و خال

synonym

A beautiful but venomous snake

🔄

گرگ در لباس میش

synonym

Wolf in sheep's clothing

🔗

هفت خط

similar

Extremely clever/sly

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