Meaning
To return from an endeavor having gained nothing, often feeling disappointed.
Cultural Background
In Iranian culture, returning empty-handed from a trip is often seen as a sign of bad luck or poor planning. This idiom captures the social sting of that failure. Bazaaris (merchants) use this phrase to describe a day with no sales. It's a common part of the 'market talk' in Iran. Classical poets often used the imagery of 'empty hands' to signify spiritual humility, but this specific idiom is more grounded in worldly failure.
Use with 'Barghashtan'
Always pair this with the verb 'to return' to sound most natural.
Not for physical height
Never use this to describe someone who actually has long hands.
Meaning
To return from an endeavor having gained nothing, often feeling disappointed.
Use with 'Barghashtan'
Always pair this with the verb 'to return' to sound most natural.
Not for physical height
Never use this to describe someone who actually has long hands.
Self-deprecation
Iranians often use this to humbly describe their own failures to friends.
Visualizing
If you forget the words, just remember the image of long arms dragging on the floor.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
دیروز برای خرید بلیت کنسرت رفتم، اما چون همه بلیتها فروخته شده بود، دست از پا ________ برگشتم.
The idiom is 'dast az pa deraztar' (hands longer than feet).
Which situation best fits the idiom 'dast az pa deraztar'?
کدام موقعیت برای استفاده از این اصطلاح مناسب است؟
The idiom is used for failed attempts and returning empty-handed.
Complete the dialogue.
سارا: رفتی از همسایه پیچگوشتی بگیری؟ علی: آره، ولی خونه نبودن. ________.
Ali failed to get the screwdriver, so he returned empty-handed.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesدیروز برای خرید بلیت کنسرت رفتم، اما چون همه بلیتها فروخته شده بود، دست از پا ________ برگشتم.
The idiom is 'dast az pa deraztar' (hands longer than feet).
کدام موقعیت برای استفاده از این اصطلاح مناسب است؟
The idiom is used for failed attempts and returning empty-handed.
سارا: رفتی از همسایه پیچگوشتی بگیری؟ علی: آره، ولی خونه نبودن. ________.
Ali failed to get the screwdriver, so he returned empty-handed.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a standard way to describe disappointment.
Yes, if a team loses a match and returns home, you can say they returned 'dast az pa deraztar'.
There isn't a direct single idiom, but 'ba dast-e por barghashtan' (returning with full hands) is the literal opposite.
It is used in journalism and literature, but not in legal or scientific documents.
It refers to the slumped posture of a sad person where their hands hang lower than usual.
Not really. It specifically implies a 'return' from somewhere.
Yes, it is widely understood in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
It's a bit dramatic for a pen, but you can use it ironically.
It implies disappointment and a bit of 'losing face,' but not necessarily deep shame.
De-RAZ-tar. The 'raz' part sounds like 'raws'.
Related Phrases
دست خالی
synonymEmpty-handed
بینصیب ماندن
similarTo remain without a share
روسیاه شدن
builds onTo be black-faced (ashamed)
با جیب خالی
similarWith empty pockets
