Meaning
To put an end to someone's annoying behavior, arrogance, or schemes.
Cultural Background
In Iran, social standing is often maintained through 'Ta'arof'. When someone ignores these rules and acts 'above' their station, idioms like this are used to describe the social correction. Persian culture uses animals to describe human traits without being literal. A 'tail' is seen as an unnecessary or 'extra' part of a person's ego. The bazaar is the heart of Persian idioms. Many phrases about 'clipping' or 'cutting' come from the sharp-witted merchants who had to deal with arrogant competitors. In modern Iranian 'Tanz' (satire), this idiom is used to mock politicians or celebrities who become too full of themselves.
Use with 'Dar-avardan'
The best way to learn this is as a pair: First they 'Dom dar-avardan' (grow a tail), then you 'Dom-ashoon-o michini' (clip their tail).
Not for Elders
Never use this regarding your parents or grandparents; it is considered highly disrespectful (Be-adabi).
Meaning
To put an end to someone's annoying behavior, arrogance, or schemes.
Use with 'Dar-avardan'
The best way to learn this is as a pair: First they 'Dom dar-avardan' (grow a tail), then you 'Dom-ashoon-o michini' (clip their tail).
Not for Elders
Never use this regarding your parents or grandparents; it is considered highly disrespectful (Be-adabi).
Passive Voice
Use the passive 'Damesh chide shod' (His tail was clipped) to sound more like a neutral observer of someone's downfall.
The 'Ra' marker
In spoken Persian, always remember to use 'o' instead of 'ra' (e.g., Damesho chidan) to sound more natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
او خیلی پررو شده بود، اما برادرش بالاخره ________.
The context implies the person was 'insolent' (per-roo), so the corrective action is 'clipping the tail'.
Which situation best fits the use of 'دم کسی را چیدن'?
In which scenario would you use this idiom?
The idiom is used for stopping mischief or arrogance.
Match the Persian idiom to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all common 'tail' (dom) idioms in Persian.
Complete the dialogue.
شخص الف: شنیدی کامران چقدر پزِ ماشین جدیدش را میدهد؟ شخص ب: آره، ولی دیروز پلیس جریمهاش کرد و ________.
The police fine served as a humbling experience, which is 'clipping the tail'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to Clip the Tail
Work
- • Bragging
- • Sabotage
- • Laziness
Social
- • Gossip
- • Arrogance
- • Interference
Public
- • Corruption
- • Law-breaking
- • Bullying
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو خیلی پررو شده بود، اما برادرش بالاخره ________.
The context implies the person was 'insolent' (per-roo), so the corrective action is 'clipping the tail'.
In which scenario would you use this idiom?
The idiom is used for stopping mischief or arrogance.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common 'tail' (dom) idioms in Persian.
شخص الف: شنیدی کامران چقدر پزِ ماشین جدیدش را میدهد؟ شخص ب: آره، ولی دیروز پلیس جریمهاش کرد و ________.
The police fine served as a humbling experience, which is 'clipping the tail'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is informal and can be aggressive. It's not 'curse word' rude, but it's definitely confrontational.
Yes, parents often use it jokingly or sternly when a child is being too mischievous.
It means to pick (like flowers), to arrange (like a table), or to clip/shear (like wool).
Yes, 'کسی را سر جای خود نشاندن' (to put someone in their place) is the formal equivalent.
No, it is almost exclusively used for stopping negative behavior.
In Persian, 'Dom' can mean 'tail' (Persian origin) or 'moment/breath' (Arabic origin). In this idiom, it's definitely 'tail'.
دمت را میچینم (Damat ra michinam).
Yes, especially in editorials or headlines about stopping corruption or crime.
Usually a dog or a cat, but it's a general animal metaphor.
Only jokingly, e.g., 'I need someone to clip my tail, I'm getting too lazy!'
Related Phrases
دم درآوردن
builds onTo become arrogant or overstep.
شاخ کسی را شکستن
similarTo break someone's horns.
سر جای خود نشاندن
synonymTo put someone in their place.
گوش کسی را کشیدن
similarTo pull someone's ear.
دم به تله دادن
relatedTo get caught in a trap.
