Meaning
To reach the limit of one's patience or endurance, to be fed up.
Cultural Background
In Iran, this phrase is often used in political and social slogans to express that the people's patience with economic conditions has ended. Dari speakers also use this idiom, often in the context of long-standing conflicts or family feuds. While understood, Tajiks might use more Russian-influenced expressions, but 'کارد به استخوان' remains a literary standard. Second-generation Iranians in the West often use this phrase when complaining about their parents' strictness, though sometimes in a slightly exaggerated way.
Use the suffix
Always try to use the personal suffix (م، ت، ش) on 'ostokhān' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for small things, people will think you are being a 'drama queen'.
Meaning
To reach the limit of one's patience or endurance, to be fed up.
Use the suffix
Always try to use the personal suffix (م، ت، ش) on 'ostokhān' to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for small things, people will think you are being a 'drama queen'.
Political Nuance
Be aware that in Iran, this phrase can sometimes have political undertones regarding the economy.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
بعد از پنج ساعت ترافیک، دیگر کارد به ________ رسید.
The idiom specifically uses 'ostokhan' (bone) to indicate the breaking point.
Which situation best fits the use of this idiom?
In which scenario would you say 'کارد به استخوان رسیده'?
This idiom is reserved for severe, high-stakes situations.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'چرا داری گریه میکنی؟' Speaker B: '_________'
The idiom expresses deep frustration or misery, which explains the crying.
Match the Persian idiom to its English equivalent meaning.
Match the following:
These are synonyms in Persian for expressing extreme frustration.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبعد از پنج ساعت ترافیک، دیگر کارد به ________ رسید.
The idiom specifically uses 'ostokhan' (bone) to indicate the breaking point.
In which scenario would you say 'کارد به استخوان رسیده'?
This idiom is reserved for severe, high-stakes situations.
Speaker A: 'چرا داری گریه میکنی؟' Speaker B: '_________'
The idiom expresses deep frustration or misery, which explains the crying.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are synonyms in Persian for expressing extreme frustration.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically no. It's almost exclusively for emotional or situational suffering.
Only if you are explaining why you left a previous, very bad job, but be careful—it's very strong.
'Fed up' is 'be tang amadan'. 'Kard be ostokhan residan' is much more intense, like 'I'm at my absolute breaking point'.
Yes, young people just say 'Boridam' (I've snapped/cut).
Yes, e.g., 'Kard be ostokhan-esh reside' (He has reached his limit).
Not at all. It's used every day in modern Iran.
No, that's not an idiom in Persian. Stick to the bone!
It's neutral. It works in both a newspaper and a kitchen.
Kard dare be ostokhanam mirese.
Money problems and annoying bosses.
Related Phrases
جان به لب رسیدن
synonymTo be at death's door from frustration
به تنگ آمدن
similarTo be fed up
صبر لبریز شدن
similarPatience overflowing
بریدن
informal alternativeTo snap/cut
