Significado
Avoiding someone or something.
Contexto cultural
In rural Maharashtra, physical space is often limited, so 'four hands' was a significant distance to claim for oneself. It represents a desire for personal space in a communal society. Employees often use this phrase to signal they are 'apolitical.' It is a way to survive in hierarchical structures without taking sides. Many Marathi saints (Sants) advised staying away from 'Maya' (worldly illusions) using similar imagery of distance. While younger generations use English slang, this idiom remains popular because it is frequently used in Marathi TV serials and movies to depict 'wise' characters.
Use for 'Red Flags'
In modern dating or friendship contexts, use this phrase to describe someone who has 'red flags.' It sounds very natural.
Don't use for physical distance
If you are 6 feet away from a table, don't use this. Use 'मी टेबलापासून दूर आहे' instead.
Significado
Avoiding someone or something.
Use for 'Red Flags'
In modern dating or friendship contexts, use this phrase to describe someone who has 'red flags.' It sounds very natural.
Don't use for physical distance
If you are 6 feet away from a table, don't use this. Use 'मी टेबलापासून दूर आहे' instead.
Polite Rejection
If someone invites you to a shady business deal, using this phrase is a polite but firm way to say 'No thanks, I don't do that.'
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
मी खोट्या लोकांपासून नेहमी _________.
The sentence means 'I always stay four hands away from liars.' Option 'b' means to fight, which doesn't fit the 'always' context as well as avoidance.
Which situation best fits the use of 'चार हात लांब राहणे'?
Suresh thinks his neighbor is a thief and avoids talking to him.
Avoidance due to suspicion is the perfect context for this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तू त्या पार्टीला का नाही आलास? B: तिथे खूप भांडणखोर लोक येणार होते, म्हणून मी _________.
Since the question is in the past tense ('का नाही आलास?'), the answer must also be in the past tense ('राहिलो').
Match the advice to the problem.
Problem: My friend is using drugs.
The best advice for avoiding bad habits/addictions is to stay 'four hands away'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosमी खोट्या लोकांपासून नेहमी _________.
The sentence means 'I always stay four hands away from liars.' Option 'b' means to fight, which doesn't fit the 'always' context as well as avoidance.
Suresh thinks his neighbor is a thief and avoids talking to him.
Avoidance due to suspicion is the perfect context for this idiom.
A: तू त्या पार्टीला का नाही आलास? B: तिथे खूप भांडणखोर लोक येणार होते, म्हणून मी _________.
Since the question is in the past tense ('का नाही आलास?'), the answer must also be in the past tense ('राहिलो').
Problem: My friend is using drugs.
The best advice for avoiding bad habits/addictions is to stay 'four hands away'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasLiterally yes, but figuratively it just means 'a significant and safe distance.' Don't bring a measuring tape!
Yes, you can stay four hands away from 'junk food,' 'alcohol,' or 'bad movies.'
It can be. If you say it to their face, it's very blunt. If you say it to others, it's a strong warning about that person's character.
For a male: 'मी लांब राहिलो'. For a female: 'मी लांब राहिले'.
No, the idiom is fixed at 'four hands.' Changing the number makes it no longer an idiom.
Frases relacionadas
दोन हात करणे
contrastTo face a challenge or fight someone.
लांबूनच नमस्कार
similarGreeting from a distance.
वाटेला न जाणे
synonymTo not cross someone's path.
काडीमोड घेणे
builds onTo break off a relationship completely.
