Meaning
To agree to take on a burden, responsibility, or blame.
Cultural Background
In Iranian offices, 'Zir-e bar raftan' is often a negotiation. A subordinate might not 'go under the load' immediately to signal that the task is very difficult and deserves more resources or respect. Eldest children in Iran are often expected to 'go under the load' of caring for younger siblings or elderly parents, seen as a sacred duty (Vazifeh). There is a strong social stigma against someone who 'doesn't go under the load' of their own mistakes. It is seen as a lack of 'Gheyrat' (zeal/honor). Classical Persian poetry often uses the 'load' (bār) as a metaphor for the burden of Love or the burden of Existence (the 'Trust' given by God).
The Power of No
Mastering the negative 'Zir-e bar naraftan' is more useful for daily drama than the positive version!
Not for Objects
Don't use this if you are literally walking under a table or a bridge. Use 'rad shodan' (passing).
Meaning
To agree to take on a burden, responsibility, or blame.
The Power of No
Mastering the negative 'Zir-e bar naraftan' is more useful for daily drama than the positive version!
Not for Objects
Don't use this if you are literally walking under a table or a bridge. Use 'rad shodan' (passing).
Ta'arof Alert
If someone asks you to do something, you might say 'Zir-e bar nemiram' as a joke to show how hard the task is, even if you intend to do it.
Debt Context
When talking about money, 'Zir-e bar-e gharz raftan' is the standard way to say 'falling into debt'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
او خیلی لجباز است و هیچوقت ________ اشتباهاتش ________.
The sentence says he is 'stubborn' (lajbaz), so he 'never' (hich-vaght) admits his mistakes.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'زیر بار رفتن'?
Which of these is a correct usage?
The idiom refers to figurative burdens/responsibilities, not physical ones.
What would the boss say?
Employee: 'I'm sorry, I can't do this extra work.' Boss: 'But we need someone to ________.'
The boss wants someone to 'accept the responsibility'.
Match the Persian to the English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the three most common variations/antonyms.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Acceptance vs. Shirking
Practice Bank
4 exercisesاو خیلی لجباز است و هیچوقت ________ اشتباهاتش ________.
The sentence says he is 'stubborn' (lajbaz), so he 'never' (hich-vaght) admits his mistakes.
Which of these is a correct usage?
The idiom refers to figurative burdens/responsibilities, not physical ones.
Employee: 'I'm sorry, I can't do this extra work.' Boss: 'But we need someone to ________.'
The boss wants someone to 'accept the responsibility'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three most common variations/antonyms.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is neutral. It's not rude, but it is very descriptive of the effort involved.
Not really. It's for burdens or mistakes. Admitting love isn't usually seen as a 'load' in this sense.
The opposite is 'shaneh khali kardan' (shirking) or simply 'ghabul nakardan' (not accepting).
Yes, e.g., 'شرکت ما زیر بار این تعهدات میرود' (Our company accepts these commitments).
No. While 'bar' can mean fruit in some contexts, here it strictly means 'load' or 'cargo'.
Because you are moving your body 'under' the load. It's about the action of positioning yourself.
Frequently! Especially in songs about heartbreak or social injustice.
Yes, it means to accept a proposal/suggestion, usually a difficult one.
Extremely common. You will hear it daily in offices and homes.
Literally, yes. But the idiom is almost always for humans.
Related Phrases
شانه خالی کردن
contrastTo shirk responsibility
گردن گرفتن
synonymTo take it on one's neck
پذیرفتن
similarTo accept
متعهد شدن
specialized formTo become committed
زیر بار منت رفتن
builds onTo be indebted to someone's kindness
