Meaning
To be influenced or deceived by someone's persuasive words.
Cultural Background
In rural North India, 'bahkaave mein aana' is often linked to 'evil eye' or 'black magic' stories where people are lured into traps by supernatural beings in disguise. The 'villain' in 70s-90s Bollywood often used 'bahkaava' to turn the hero's brother or mother against him. It's a staple plot device. Parents use this phrase to protect children from 'Western influence' or 'modern habits' that they perceive as a 'bahkaava' from the right path. In Indian markets (bazaars), bargaining is common. If you pay the full price without bargaining, friends might tease you for falling for the shopkeeper's 'bahkaava'.
Use with 'Chikni-chupdi baatein'
Pair this with 'Chikni-chupdi baatein' (greasy/smooth talk) to sound like a native. Example: 'वह उसकी चिकनी-चुपड़ी बातों के बहकावे में आ गया।'
Don't use for physical objects
You don't come into the 'bahkaava' of a stone or a chair. It must be a person, an entity (like a company), or an idea.
Meaning
To be influenced or deceived by someone's persuasive words.
Use with 'Chikni-chupdi baatein'
Pair this with 'Chikni-chupdi baatein' (greasy/smooth talk) to sound like a native. Example: 'वह उसकी चिकनी-चुपड़ी बातों के बहकावे में आ गया।'
Don't use for physical objects
You don't come into the 'bahkaava' of a stone or a chair. It must be a person, an entity (like a company), or an idea.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
वह ठग की मीठी बातों के ______ आ गया।
The idiom always uses the postposition 'mein'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a female subject?
Choose the correct sentence:
The verb 'aana' must match the feminine subject 'Seeta'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situation: A person buys a fake diamond after the seller tells a long story about its history.
This situation involves deception through persuasive words.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'उसने कहा कि वह मुझे रातों-रात अमीर बना देगा।' B: 'पागल मत बनो, ______।'
B is warning A not to be fooled by the unrealistic promise.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesवह ठग की मीठी बातों के ______ आ गया।
The idiom always uses the postposition 'mein'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The verb 'aana' must match the feminine subject 'Seeta'.
Situation: A person buys a fake diamond after the seller tells a long story about its history.
This situation involves deception through persuasive words.
A: 'उसने कहा कि वह मुझे रातों-रात अमीर बना देगा।' B: 'पागल मत बनो, ______।'
B is warning A not to be fooled by the unrealistic promise.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it almost always implies a negative outcome or a loss of judgment. You wouldn't use it for a positive surprise.
Absolutely. It is very common to say 'जनता नारों के बहकावे में आ गई' (The public fell for the slogans).
'Dhokha khana' is simply 'to be cheated.' 'Bahkaave mein aana' emphasizes the process of being talked into it.
Related Phrases
बातों में आना
synonymTo be influenced by words.
झांसे में आना
similarTo fall into a trap.
गुमराह होना
similarTo be led astray.
सचेत रहना
contrastTo stay alert.
