December 22, 2020

Today’s Hindi idiom (मुहावरा) is:

नाकों चने चबवाना।

(Transliteration: Nakon chaney chabwana.)

Tough To Chew Chana!

Literal translation: To make one chew chickpeas with nose.

Figurative meaning: To make life very difficult. Give one a tough time. (As difficult as trying to eat chickpeas through your nose.)

Usage in a sample sentence:

इंजीनियर बनना कोई बच्चों का खेल नहीं है – university के अधिकांश प्रोफेसर हमको नाकों चने चबवाते हैं।

(Transliteration: Engineer ban-na koi bachchon ka khel nahi hia — university ke adhikansh professor humko nakon chane chabwate hai.)

Translation: Becoming an engineer is no child’s play — most university professors give us a very tough time.