A1 Idiom औपचारिक

آتش زیر خاکستر

atashe zire khakestar

Hidden resentment / smoldering issue

मतलब

A problem or conflict that is not openly discussed but still exists.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

This phrase is the 'go-to' description for the period between major protests in Iran. It suggests that the grievances are still there, just waiting for a spark. Classical poets used this to describe 'Love' (Eshgh). Even if a lover seems calm, the fire of love is burning them from inside. In Iranian families, keeping 'Aberoo' (face/reputation) is important. This often leads to conflicts becoming 'atash zir-e khakestar' because people won't argue openly to keep appearances. The phrase is equally common in Afghanistan, often used to describe the security situation or tribal tensions that haven't been resolved.

🎯

Use it for 'Simmering' issues

If you want to sound like a native political analyst, use this phrase to describe any unresolved social tension.

⚠️

Don't use for small things

If you forgot to wash the dishes, it's not 'atash zir-e khakestar'. It's too dramatic for that.

मतलब

A problem or conflict that is not openly discussed but still exists.

🎯

Use it for 'Simmering' issues

If you want to sound like a native political analyst, use this phrase to describe any unresolved social tension.

⚠️

Don't use for small things

If you forgot to wash the dishes, it's not 'atash zir-e khakestar'. It's too dramatic for that.

💬

The 'Taarof' Connection

Remember that in Iran, people often hide their true feelings. This phrase is the key to describing what's happening behind the polite smiles.

💡

Verb Pairing

Pair it with 'شعله‌ور شدن' (to flare up) to describe when the hidden problem finally explodes.

खुद को परखो

Complete the sentence with the correct words.

سکوت آن‌ها واقعی نیست، این آرامش مثل آتش زیر _______ است.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: خاکستر

The idiom is 'Atash zir-e khakestar' (Fire under ash).

Which situation best fits the idiom 'Atash zir-e khakestar'?

Which of these is 'Atash zir-e khakestar'?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Two neighbors who stopped fighting but still hate each other secretly.

The idiom describes hidden, unresolved conflict.

Choose the best response for Speaker B.

Speaker A: 'همه فکر می‌کنند جنگ تمام شده است.' (Everyone thinks the war is over.) Speaker B: '_________'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: بله، آتش زیر خاکستر است.

Speaker B is warning that the war might look over but the danger remains.

Match the Persian part to its English meaning.

Match the following:

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آتش=Fire, زیر=Under, خاکستر=Ash, مثل=Like

Basic vocabulary components of the idiom.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

Where to find it

🗳️

Politics

  • Suppressed protests
  • Tense peace
👪

Family

  • Old grudges
  • Unspoken anger

अभ्यास बैंक

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

سکوت آن‌ها واقعی نیست، این آرامش مثل آتش زیر _______ است.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: خاکستر

The idiom is 'Atash zir-e khakestar' (Fire under ash).

Which situation best fits the idiom 'Atash zir-e khakestar'? Choose A2

Which of these is 'Atash zir-e khakestar'?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Two neighbors who stopped fighting but still hate each other secretly.

The idiom describes hidden, unresolved conflict.

Choose the best response for Speaker B. dialogue_completion B1

Speaker A: 'همه فکر می‌کنند جنگ تمام شده است.' (Everyone thinks the war is over.) Speaker B: '_________'

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: بله، آتش زیر خاکستر است.

Speaker B is warning that the war might look over but the danger remains.

Match the Persian part to its English meaning. Match A1

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

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: آتش=Fire, زیر=Under, خاکستر=Ash, مثل=Like

Basic vocabulary components of the idiom.

🎉 स्कोर: /4

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

14 सवाल

Yes, but usually for serious topics like family feuds or workplace drama.

No, it almost always implies a threat or a negative emotion like anger.

There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but 'آب روی آتش' (water on fire) means something that calms a situation down.

It's neutral-to-formal. You can use it in a newspaper or with friends when being serious.

No, 'khak' means dirt/soil, but 'khakestar' specifically means ash from a fire.

No, that's not a Persian idiom. It must be 'ash'.

The phrase itself doesn't change. You just change the verb 'to be' (ast, bud, khahad bud).

Yes, it is a standard idiom in Dari Persian as well.

Yes, you can say 'He is like fire under ash' to mean he has a hidden temper.

Not directly, though both involve fire and ash. The Phoenix is about rebirth; this is about hidden danger.

Using the wrong preposition, like 'on' instead of 'under'.

Yes, it's a very professional way to describe a risky situation.

No, it is a secular, cultural idiom.

It is at least 1,000 years old, appearing in classical literature.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

آرامش قبل از طوفان

similar

The calm before the storm

🔗

استخوان لای زخم

similar

A bone in the wound

🔗

مار در آستین

similar

A snake in the sleeve

🔗

زیرآب‌زنی

related

Sabotage (hitting under the water)

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