Meaning
Accepting defeat or inability to do something.
Cultural Background
Parents often use this phrase to describe their children's stubbornness (हट्ट). It's a way of saying 'I've tried everything to discipline you, but I give up.' In urban Maharashtra, this idiom is the unofficial slogan for dealing with traffic and public transport delays. The physical act of touching the ground is a sign of respect and surrender in the 'Akhada'. This gives the idiom a sense of 'honorable defeat'. Authors like P.L. Deshpande use this idiom to humorously describe the common man's struggle against bureaucracy.
Use with 'आहेत'
In daily speech, adding 'āhēt' (मी हात टेकले आहेत) makes you sound more like a native speaker describing a current state of defeat.
Plurality Matters
Always use 'tek-le' (plural) because you are metaphorically resting both hands. Using the singular 'tek-la' sounds unnatural.
Meaning
Accepting defeat or inability to do something.
Use with 'आहेत'
In daily speech, adding 'āhēt' (मी हात टेकले आहेत) makes you sound more like a native speaker describing a current state of defeat.
Plurality Matters
Always use 'tek-le' (plural) because you are metaphorically resting both hands. Using the singular 'tek-la' sounds unnatural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
गणिताचा पेपर खूप कठीण होता, म्हणून मी _________.
The context of a difficult exam implies giving up, which is 'हात टेकले'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'हात टेकणे'?
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom describes admitting defeat after a struggle.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तू अजूनही प्रयत्न करतोयस का? B: नाही रे, मी तर _________.
The perfective 'have given up' (हात टेकले आहेत) fits the response to a question about current effort.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesगणिताचा पेपर खूप कठीण होता, म्हणून मी _________.
The context of a difficult exam implies giving up, which is 'हात टेकले'.
Select the correct scenario:
The idiom describes admitting defeat after a struggle.
A: तू अजूनही प्रयत्न करतोयस का? B: नाही रे, मी तर _________.
The perfective 'have given up' (हात टेकले आहेत) fits the response to a question about current effort.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt's better to avoid it unless you're talking about a past failure you learned from. It sounds quite informal.
No, 'Thakne' is physically tired. 'Hāt ṭekaṇē' is being defeated by a task.
Related Phrases
हार मानणे
synonymTo accept defeat
नांगी टाकणे
similarTo lose one's sting/power
गुडघे टेकणे
builds onTo kneel/surrender completely
प्रयत्न सोडणे
similarTo stop trying
