IdiomBody & Senses
Hindi
Hindiनाक रगड़ना (nāk ragaṛnā)
Meaning: To grovel and beg humbly.
Literally: To rub your nose on the ground
Example: “गलती उसकी थी, पर माफी के लिए मुझे नाक रगड़नी पड़ी।” — It was his mistake, but I had to eat humble pie to get forgiven.
English equivalent: To eat humble pie
Equivalents in other languages
Swedish: Att göra en pudel Literally: To do a poodle
French: Faire amende honorable Literally: To make honorable amends
English: eat humble pie
Origin: Rubbing one's nose on the ground is the deepest gesture of submission, bowing so low that the face touches the earth. The phrase means begging abjectly for forgiveness or a favor. No particular story lies behind it.
More Hindi idioms
- 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.
- दाल में कुछ काला है (daal mein kuchh kaalaa hai) Something suspicious is going on.
- नौ दो ग्यारह होना (nau do gyaarah hona) To flee or run away quickly.
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