मतलब
Instigating or provoking a conflict.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Hindu worship, 'Thūpam' is the second of the sixteen offerings (Shodashopachara). It represents the element of Air and the purification of the mind. The idiom's negative turn is a linguistic irony. The 'instigator' is a staple character in Tamil movies, often a jealous aunt or a corrupt advisor. This has made the phrase extremely common in everyday speech. In large joint families, 'Thūpam pōṭutal' is often used to describe the 'politics' between family members, particularly regarding inheritance or marriage. News debates in Tamil Nadu frequently use this phrase to describe how political parties use sensitive issues to incite public anger for votes.
Context is Key
Always check if you are in a temple or a living room before using this phrase! The meaning changes 180 degrees.
Don't use it for yourself
You rarely say 'I am instigating'. It is almost always used to describe someone else's negative behavior.
मतलब
Instigating or provoking a conflict.
Context is Key
Always check if you are in a temple or a living room before using this phrase! The meaning changes 180 degrees.
Don't use it for yourself
You rarely say 'I am instigating'. It is almost always used to describe someone else's negative behavior.
Combine with 'Vēlai'
You can say 'தூபம் போடும் வேலை' (The work of instigating) to describe someone's habit.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct meaning of 'தூபம் போடுதல்' in the following sentence: 'அவர்கள் சண்டையிட ரவிதான் தூபம் போட்டான்.'
What did Ravi do?
In this context, 'தூபம் போட்டான்' means Ravi was the one who provoked or instigated the conflict.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.
தேவையில்லாமல் மற்றவர்களுக்குத் ________ போடாதே. (Don't unnecessarily instigate others.)
The idiom is 'தூபம் போடுதல்'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: A colleague tells you a lie about another colleague to make you angry.
Spreading lies to cause anger is a classic example of 'தூபம் போடுதல்'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'அவன் உன்னைப் பற்றித் தப்பாகப் பேசினான்.' B: 'அவன் பேச்சை நம்பாதே, அவன் சும்மா ________.'
The subject is 'அவன்' (He), so the verb must be 'போடுகிறான்' (is putting/doing).
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासWhat did Ravi do?
In this context, 'தூபம் போட்டான்' means Ravi was the one who provoked or instigated the conflict.
தேவையில்லாமல் மற்றவர்களுக்குத் ________ போடாதே. (Don't unnecessarily instigate others.)
The idiom is 'தூபம் போடுதல்'.
Situation: A colleague tells you a lie about another colleague to make you angry.
Spreading lies to cause anger is a classic example of 'தூபம் போடுதல்'.
A: 'அவன் உன்னைப் பற்றித் தப்பாகப் பேசினான்.' B: 'அவன் பேச்சை நம்பாதே, அவன் சும்மா ________.'
The subject is 'அவன்' (He), so the verb must be 'போடுகிறான்' (is putting/doing).
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIn its figurative sense, yes. It implies manipulation and causing unnecessary trouble.
Yes, you can teasingly say it to a friend who is trying to start a playful argument between two others.
There isn't a single idiom, but 'சமாதானம் செய்தல்' (Samāthāṉam ceytal - making peace) is the opposite action.
Yes, especially in journalism and editorials to criticize political or social instigation.
Not necessarily. You can 'தூபம் போடுதல்' using true facts, but by presenting them in a way that causes anger.
அவன் எனக்குத் தூபம் போட்டான் (Avaṉ eṉakku thūpam pōṭṭāṉ).
Yes, though 'ஏத்தி விடுதல்' (ētti viṭutal) is more common in very casual street slang.
Yes, if someone is trying to make a person jealous or break up a couple.
Yes, but only in its literal sense of incense. The idiom requires the verb 'pōṭutal'.
Yes, if one child is trying to get another child in trouble with their parents.
संबंधित मुहावरे
மூட்டி விடுதல்
synonymTo light a fire / To instigate.
கோள் சொல்லுதல்
similarTo backbite or carry tales.
எண்ணெய் ஊற்றுதல்
builds onTo pour oil (on a fire).
மனதைக் கெடுத்தல்
similarTo spoil someone's mind.
