Meaning
To run away in fear.
Cultural Background
In Pakistani street cricket, if a player leaves the game because they are afraid of fast bowling, others will mock them using this phrase. This idiom is shared between Urdu and Hindi. It is a staple in Bollywood movies where the hero scares away the villain's henchmen. Classical poets use the 'dum' (tail) imagery to contrast the 'insan' (human) with 'haiwan' (animal), suggesting that fleeing makes one less than human. On Urdu Twitter/X, users use this idiom to describe 'trolls' who deactivate their accounts after being called out.
Visualizing helps
Always picture a scared dog when you hear this. It makes the meaning stick instantly.
Don't use for respect
Never use this for someone you respect, as it implies they are a coward.
Meaning
To run away in fear.
Visualizing helps
Always picture a scared dog when you hear this. It makes the meaning stick instantly.
Don't use for respect
Never use this for someone you respect, as it implies they are a coward.
Grammar Hack
The 'kar' construction is used in hundreds of Urdu idioms. Master it here and you'll understand many more!
Insult Level
This is a 'medium' insult. It's okay for friends but can start a fight with strangers.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
جب شیر دھاڑا تو گیدڑ ___ بھاگ گیا۔
The idiom for running in fear is 'dum daba kar'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Dum daba kar bhagna'?
A person...
The idiom implies fleeing due to fear or lack of courage/arguments.
Complete the dialogue.
احمد: کیا تم نے چور کو پکڑا؟ سارہ: نہیں، وہ پولیس کی گاڑی دیکھتے ہی ___۔
A thief would flee in fear upon seeing police.
Match the idiom to the feeling.
Dum daba kar bhagna
The idiom describes a cowardly or shameful retreat.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Bravery vs Cowardice in Urdu
Practice Bank
4 exercisesجب شیر دھاڑا تو گیدڑ ___ بھاگ گیا۔
The idiom for running in fear is 'dum daba kar'.
A person...
The idiom implies fleeing due to fear or lack of courage/arguments.
احمد: کیا تم نے چور کو پکڑا؟ سارہ: نہیں، وہ پولیس کی گاڑی دیکھتے ہی ___۔
A thief would flee in fear upon seeing police.
Dum daba kar bhagna
The idiom describes a cowardly or shameful retreat.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is mostly used for humans now to describe cowardly behavior.
Yes, just change the verb: 'Wo dum daba kar bhag gayi.'
Yes, it is informal and can be offensive as it calls someone a coward.
The opposite would be 'Datt kar khara hona' (standing firm).
No, it is too informal. Use 'piche hatna' (to withdraw) instead.
In this idiom, 'dum' specifically means tail.
It's more common in prose and storytelling than in high ghazal poetry.
Main dum daba kar bhag gaya (if male) / bhag gayi (if female).
Yes: 'Wo log dum daba kar bhag gaye.'
Yes, 'Dum dabana' can sometimes be used alone.
It implies both—fear that leads to a shameful retreat.
Yes, in opinion pieces or sensationalist headlines.
Related Phrases
نو دو گیارہ ہونا
similarTo run away quickly.
پیٹھ دکھانا
synonymTo show one's back (flee from battle).
ہوا ہو جانا
similarTo vanish like air.
رنگ اڑ جانا
builds onTo turn pale with fear.
دم ہلانا
contrastTo wag the tail.
چمپت ہونا
similarTo decamp or bolt.
