Meaning
To face an extremely challenging or impossible task.
Cultural Background
The 'Ghul' is a staple of bedtime stories. Children are often told that if they aren't good, the Ghul will come. This makes the idiom even more powerful because it invokes a childhood fear. In the fast-paced life of Tehran, this idiom is used to vent frustration about traffic or bureaucracy. The concept of 'Div' and 'Ghul' is central to the Shahnameh. Heroes are defined by their ability to conquer these beasts. While used in Afghanistan, the frequency is lower than in Iran, where 'Apollo hava kardan' is also a strong competitor.
Master the Sarcasm
If you want to sound like a native, use this when your friend is being a bit too proud of a small thing. It's the ultimate 'cool' response.
Don't be too literal
Don't start talking about actual giants unless you are reading a fairy tale. It's 100% figurative in 99% of conversations.
Meaning
To face an extremely challenging or impossible task.
Master the Sarcasm
If you want to sound like a native, use this when your friend is being a bit too proud of a small thing. It's the ultimate 'cool' response.
Don't be too literal
Don't start talking about actual giants unless you are reading a fairy tale. It's 100% figurative in 99% of conversations.
The 'Apollo' Alternative
If you are talking to younger, tech-savvy Iranians, 'Apollo hava kardan' is just as common and sounds slightly more modern.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
قبول شدن در دانشگاه شریف برای او مثل رفتن روی _______ بود.
The idiom is 'ruye shakh-e ghul raftan'.
Which sentence is sarcastic?
Choose the sarcastic usage:
Using the idiom for a tiny task like bringing water is classic Persian sarcasm.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: Someone just finished a 10-year project.
'Shekastan' (breaking) implies the task is finished.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesقبول شدن در دانشگاه شریف برای او مثل رفتن روی _______ بود.
The idiom is 'ruye shakh-e ghul raftan'.
Choose the sarcastic usage:
Using the idiom for a tiny task like bringing water is classic Persian sarcasm.
Situation: Someone just finished a 10-year project.
'Shekastan' (breaking) implies the task is finished.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt is neutral but informal. It's not rude, but don't use it with your boss unless you have a very friendly relationship.
Yes! You can use it to praise someone for a truly amazing achievement, like 'Vaghean ruye shakh-e ghul rafti!'
'Raftan' (going) emphasizes the effort to get there. 'Neshastan' (sitting) emphasizes the state of being proud or in that difficult position.
Close, but a Ghul is more supernatural and often associated with the desert or wilderness in Persian myth.
Not really. It needs the context of 'going on it' or 'breaking it' to make sense as an idiom.
Related Phrases
شاخ غول را شکستن
specialized formTo successfully complete a very hard task.
آپولو هوا کردن
synonymTo do something incredibly difficult (literally: to launch an Apollo).
فیل هوا کردن
similarTo do something extraordinary or impossible.
کوه کندن
similarTo do back-breaking work.
