Meaning
To catch someone doing something wrong.
Cultural Background
In Armenian culture, being caught in a lie is often considered worse than the mistake itself. The phrase 'Ձեռքը բռնել' is a moment of high social tension. News reports in Armenia frequently use this idiom to describe anti-corruption stings, making it a very 'official' sounding idiom despite its informal roots. Parents use this phrase to teach children about honesty. It's often used in a 'gotcha' moment that is educational rather than punitive.
Use with 'while'
Combine it with verbs ending in '-իս' (like ստելիս, գողանալիս) to sound more natural.
Not for Romance
Remember, this is an accusatory phrase. Don't use it for holding hands on a date!
Meaning
To catch someone doing something wrong.
Use with 'while'
Combine it with verbs ending in '-իս' (like ստելիս, գողանալիս) to sound more natural.
Not for Romance
Remember, this is an accusatory phrase. Don't use it for holding hands on a date!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the idiom.
Ոստիկանը գողի ______ ______ (caught the hand).
The definite article '-ը' is required for the idiomatic meaning.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Ձեռքը բռնել'?
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for catching someone doing something wrong.
Complete the dialogue.
Ա: Դու ասացիր, որ տնայինդ արել ես: Բ: Այո, արել եմ: Ա: Բայց տետրդ դատարկ է: Ես քո ______ ______:
'Ձեռքը բռնեցի' means 'I caught you in a lie'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesՈստիկանը գողի ______ ______ (caught the hand).
The definite article '-ը' is required for the idiomatic meaning.
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for catching someone doing something wrong.
Ա: Դու ասացիր, որ տնայինդ արել ես: Բ: Այո, արել եմ: Ա: Բայց տետրդ դատարկ է: Ես քո ______ ______:
'Ձեռքը բռնեցի' means 'I caught you in a lie'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it's very common to use it playfully when catching a friend in a small, harmless lie.
Absolutely. It is the standard way to describe catching someone in a crime in Armenian media.
'Ձեռքը' focuses on the hand as the object of the catch, while 'ձեռքից' focuses on the point of contact. They are 90% interchangeable.
Related Phrases
Գործի վրա բռնել
synonymTo catch in the act
Ձեռք մեկնել
contrastTo lend a hand
Ձեռք քաշել
similarTo give up / wash one's hands of
Բացահայտել
specialized formTo reveal/expose
