Significado
Happening openly but unnoticed.
Contexto cultural
In the 'Golden Age' of Greek cinema (1950s-60s), this idiom was a staple in comedies of errors. Characters like Thanasis Vengos often used it when realizing they had been outsmarted. The phrase is frequently used by opposition parties to criticize the government for failing to notice scandals or economic leaks. Greek parents often use this phrase to tease children who can't find their toys or clothes that are clearly visible. In Greek meme culture, this phrase is used with images of people looking through binoculars while the object they seek is right behind them.
Use with 'είναι' or 'γίνεται'
Pair it with 'είναι' for objects and 'γίνεται' or 'συμβαίνει' for events.
Gender Check
Never say 'κάτω από το μύτη'. It's always 'τη' (feminine).
Significado
Happening openly but unnoticed.
Use with 'είναι' or 'γίνεται'
Pair it with 'είναι' for objects and 'γίνεται' or 'συμβαίνει' for events.
Gender Check
Never say 'κάτω από το μύτη'. It's always 'τη' (feminine).
Sarcasm
You can use this sarcastically when someone asks for something that is obvious. 'Εκεί είναι, κάτω από τη μύτη σου!'
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the idiom using the possessive pronoun for 'we' (μας).
Η λύση ήταν ________ όλη την ώρα, αλλά δεν την είδαμε.
We need the feminine article 'τη' and the possessive 'μας'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to show someone was tricked?
Select the best option:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of missing an action happening nearby.
Match the situation to the most appropriate response.
Situation: You find your glasses on your head after searching for 20 minutes.
Even though the glasses were on the head, the idiom 'κάτω από τη μύτη μου' is the standard way to say 'it was right there'.
Complete the dialogue between two detectives.
Detective A: 'Πώς χάσαμε τον ύποπτο;' Detective B: 'Δεν ξέρω, μας ξέφυγε ________.'
While 'μέσα από τα χέρια μας' (through our hands) is also possible, 'κάτω από τη μύτη μας' emphasizes that they should have seen him.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosΗ λύση ήταν ________ όλη την ώρα, αλλά δεν την είδαμε.
We need the feminine article 'τη' and the possessive 'μας'.
Select the best option:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of missing an action happening nearby.
Situation: You find your glasses on your head after searching for 20 minutes.
Even though the glasses were on the head, the idiom 'κάτω από τη μύτη μου' is the standard way to say 'it was right there'.
Detective A: 'Πώς χάσαμε τον ύποπτο;' Detective B: 'Δεν ξέρω, μας ξέφυγε ________.'
While 'μέσα από τα χέρια μας' (through our hands) is also possible, 'κάτω από τη μύτη μας' emphasizes that they should have seen him.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasYes, if a person is standing right there and you didn't see them, you can say 'Ήταν κάτω από τη μύτη μου'.
It can be slightly mocking if said to someone else, but it's usually considered a friendly tease.
We rarely use the plural 'μύτες' in this idiom unless referring to multiple people's noses (e.g., κάτω από τις μύτες μας).
Yes, 'ενώπιον' or 'εν αγνοία' are more formal, but they lose the idiomatic flavor.
Frases relacionadas
μπροστά στα μάτια μου
similarRight in front of my eyes.
μου την έφερε
builds onHe tricked me.
στα τυφλά
contrastBlindly.
μπροστά στα μούτρα μου
specialized formRight in my face.
