Meaning
To be in a very precarious or dangerous situation.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, this phrase is used very frequently in political talk shows to describe the 'status quo' which is always perceived as fragile. Egyptians might use 'عفريت' to mean a clever person, but in this idiom, they strictly mean the precariousness of a situation. In the Gulf, while the phrase is understood, people might more often use 'الله يستر' (May God protect) alongside it to mitigate the 'bad omen' of the demon. The word 'Ifreet' is sometimes replaced by 'Jinn' in local dialects, but the 'Kaff' idiom remains standard in formal contexts.
Use for Drama
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a native speaker who understands the 'drama' of a situation. It's much more expressive than just saying 'it's bad'.
Avoid Literalism
Don't try to draw a demon when using this in a professional presentation; it's a metaphor!
Meaning
To be in a very precarious or dangerous situation.
Use for Drama
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a native speaker who understands the 'drama' of a situation. It's much more expressive than just saying 'it's bad'.
Avoid Literalism
Don't try to draw a demon when using this in a professional presentation; it's a metaphor!
Religious Sensitivity
In very religious circles, some might prefer 'In God's hands' (في يد الله). Use 'Ifreet' for secular or general contexts.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
بعد استقالة المدير، أصبح مستقبل الشركة على ___ عفريت.
The idiom is specifically 'على كف عفريت' (on the palm of a demon).
Which situation best fits the phrase 'على كف عفريت'?
اختر الموقف المناسب:
The phrase is used for dangerous and unstable situations.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
أحمد: هل ستنجح في الامتحان؟ خالد: لا أعرف، درجاتي كانت سيئة جداً، نجاحي ____.
Khaled is uncertain and worried, so 'on a demon's palm' is the correct idiom.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesبعد استقالة المدير، أصبح مستقبل الشركة على ___ عفريت.
The idiom is specifically 'على كف عفريت' (on the palm of a demon).
اختر الموقف المناسب:
The phrase is used for dangerous and unstable situations.
أحمد: هل ستنجح في الامتحان؟ خالد: لا أعرف، درجاتي كانت سيئة جداً، نجاحي ____.
Khaled is uncertain and worried, so 'on a demon's palm' is the correct idiom.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's a standard word for a type of spirit. It's not a swear word, but it's not 'polite' in a religious sense.
Only if your whole life depends on that phone. Otherwise, it's too dramatic.
We don't pluralize this idiom. We don't say 'on the palms of demons'.
Yes, it is understood from Morocco to Iraq.
Related Phrases
في مهب الريح
synonymIn the path of the wind
على شعرة
similarBy a hair
بين نارين
contrastBetween two fires
تحت السيطرة
contrastUnder control
