IdiomAnimals
Persian
Persianگربه را دم حجله کشتن (gorbe rā dam-e hejle koshtan)
Meaning: To assert authority firmly from the very start.
Literally: To kill the cat at the wedding-chamber door
Example: “مدیر جدید روز اول گربه را دم حجله کشت و قوانین را اعلام کرد.” — The new manager laid down the law on day one and announced the rules.
English equivalent: To lay down the law
Equivalents in other languages
French: Faire le gendarme Literally: To play the policeman
English: lay down the law
Origin: From a folk tale: on his wedding night a groom killed a cat in front of the bridal chamber, and his bride, frightened, never dared disobey him. A friend who tried the same thing much later only made his wife laugh. Killing the cat at the chamber door is setting the rules firmly from the start.
More Persian idioms
- مرغ همسایه غاز است (morgh-e hamsāye ghāz ast) The grass is always greener next door.
- از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است (az in sotun be ān sotun faraj ast) Even a small change may bring hope.
- قربونت برم (ghorbunet beram) An affectionate thank-you or term of endearment — 'you're so dear to me'.
- زیر آب کسی را زدن (Zir-e āb-e kasi rā zadan) To secretly sabotage or betray someone behind their back.
- نمکگیر شدن (namakgir shodan) To feel bound by gratitude after sharing someone's food or hospitality.
- خر بیار و باقالی بار کن (khar biyār o bāqālī bār kon) Utter chaos; an endless, overwhelming mess.
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