Meaning
Describes a cunning, sly, or deceptive person who hides their true intentions.
Cultural Background
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.
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
او همیشه لبخند میزند اما پشت سر همه حرف میزند؛ او واقعاً ____ است.
The context of smiling while talking behind backs indicates sneakiness.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'آب زیر کاه'?
A person who...
The idiom specifically targets hidden deception.
Match the Persian word to its English equivalent.
1. آب (Ab), 2. زیر (Zir), 3. کاه (Kah)
Literal components of the idiom.
What would Reza say?
Ali: 'I trust him completely.' Reza: 'Don't! He is ____.'
Reza is warning Ali against trusting someone.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو همیشه لبخند میزند اما پشت سر همه حرف میزند؛ او واقعاً ____ است.
The context of smiling while talking behind backs indicates sneakiness.
A person who...
The idiom specifically targets hidden deception.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Literal components of the idiom.
Ali: 'I trust him completely.' Reza: 'Don't! He is ____.'
Reza is warning Ali against trusting someone.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, 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.
Related Phrases
مار خوش خط و خال
synonymA beautiful but venomous snake
گرگ در لباس میش
synonymWolf in sheep's clothing
هفت خط
similarExtremely clever/sly
