Meaning
There is no trouble or disturbance; everything is peaceful.
Cultural Background
In Iranian social circles, 'keeping the water still' is often a sign of a good host or manager. It shows you can handle stress without letting others see it. In the Tehran Bazaar, this phrase is used to describe a 'safe' investment where the market doesn't fluctuate. Classical poets often used water as a mirror. If the water moves, the mirror breaks. This idiom is a modern descendant of that imagery. Iranians use this idiom on Twitter to sarcastically point out when a major news story is being ignored by the state media.
Use it for 'No Big Deal'
If someone asks 'How was the big meeting?' and it was boringly normal, this is the perfect response.
Don't use for people
You can't say 'I am water doesn't move.' It describes the *situation*, not a person's personality.
Meaning
There is no trouble or disturbance; everything is peaceful.
Use it for 'No Big Deal'
If someone asks 'How was the big meeting?' and it was boringly normal, this is the perfect response.
Don't use for people
You can't say 'I am water doesn't move.' It describes the *situation*, not a person's personality.
Test Yourself
Complete the idiom with the correct words.
با اینکه مدیر اخراج شد، اما در اداره آب از ___ تکان ___.
The idiom is 'Ab az ab tekan nakhord.'
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Ab az ab tekan nakhordan'?
Which one?
The idiom describes a lack of disturbance despite a change.
What would Person B say?
Person A: 'Did your mom find out you broke the vase?' Person B: 'No, I fixed it and...'
This means she didn't notice and there was no trouble.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesبا اینکه مدیر اخراج شد، اما در اداره آب از ___ تکان ___.
The idiom is 'Ab az ab tekan nakhord.'
Which one?
The idiom describes a lack of disturbance despite a change.
Person A: 'Did your mom find out you broke the vase?' Person B: 'No, I fixed it and...'
This means she didn't notice and there was no trouble.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNot really. It's mostly for when things stay the same or a problem is avoided. If something exciting happens, use 'Surprise shodam.'
Yes, it's very common in journalism and formal reports to describe stability.
Related Phrases
آبها از آسیاب افتادن
similarThe dust has settled / things have calmed down.
آب از سر گذشتن
contrastTo be in over one's head / it's too late.
بیسر و صدا
synonymQuietly / without noise.
