IdiomAnimals
Hindi
Hindiआ बैल मुझे मार (Ā bail mujhe mār)
Meaning: To deliberately invite trouble upon yourself.
Literally: Come ox, hit me
Example: “गुस्से वाले कुत्ते को छेड़ना यानी आ बैल मुझे मार।” — Teasing an angry dog is asking for trouble.
English equivalent: To ask for trouble
Equivalents in other languages
English: ask for trouble
Origin: "Come, ox, strike me": calling a bull or ox to charge is inviting an attack one could easily avoid. The phrase is said of someone who brings trouble on themselves. No particular story lies behind it.
More Hindi idioms
- नाक में दम करना (naak mein dam karna) To harass or pester relentlessly.
- नाक रगड़ना (nāk ragaṛnā) To grovel and beg humbly.
- आसमान सिर पर उठाना (aasmaan sir par uthaana) To raise a huge uproar.
- ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा (Ūṅṭ ke muṅh meṅ jīrā) A laughably tiny amount for something that needs much more.
- बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद (bandar kya jaane adrak ka svaad) An ignorant person can't appreciate something refined.
- नाच न जाने आंगन टेढ़ा (naach na jaane aangan tedha) A bad workman blames his tools.
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