IdiomFood & Drink
Urdu
Urduلوہے کے چنے چبانا (lohe ke chane chabana)
Meaning: To face an extremely hard, gruelling task.
Literally: To chew chickpeas of iron
Example: “اس امتحان میں پاس ہونا لوہے کے چنے چبانے کے برابر ہے۔” — Passing this exam is an uphill battle.
English equivalent: An uphill battle
Equivalents in other languages
Turkish: İğneyle kuyu kazmak Literally: To dig a well with a needle
English: an uphill battle
Origin: Chewing chickpeas made of iron is a task that tests one to the limit. The phrase, shared with Hindi, is used of extremely hard work or a grueling ordeal. No particular story lies behind it.
More Urdu idioms
- ناک کا بال (nāk kā bāl) Someone's closest, most trusted confidant.
- آنکھوں کا تارا (Aankhon ka tara) A dearly cherished person; the apple of one's eye.
- آستین کا سانپ (aasteen ka saanp) A treacherous false friend.
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