एड़ी चोटी का जोर लगाना

/eːɽiː t͡ʃoːʈiː kɑː joːɾ ləɡɑːnɑː/◆idiom
put in extreme effort

वह एड़ी चोटी का जोर लगाकर परीक्षा में पास हुआ।

He put in extreme effort and passed the exam.

◆ What It Really Means
To exert every possible effort, often in a desperate or exhausting struggle.
Literal Meaning
To apply force from the heels to the crown of the head.
Literal Breakdown
एड़ीheel+चोटीcrown/top of head+जोर लगानाto apply force
◇ Mental Image
A mental picture of someone straining every muscle from their feet to their head, as if pushing with their entire body.
◈ When to Use
A student studying all night for an exam, a farmer working tirelessly in the fields during harvest, or an athlete pushing through extreme fatigue in a race.
◉ Cultural Note
Reflects the Hindi cultural emphasis on perseverance and hard work, often in the face of adversity.
informal

To make every possible effort, often with great physical or mental strain.

उसने एड़ी चोटी का जोर लगाया, फिर भी सफल नहीं हो सका।

He made every possible effort, yet failed.

मैनेजर ने एड़ी चोटी का जोर लगाया, लेकिन टीम का प्रदर्शन सुधर नहीं सका।

The manager put in extreme effort, but the team's performance didn't improve.

Often implies a struggle or hardship in the effort.

Pro Tip

Idiom Usage

Use this idiom when someone is making a Herculean effort, often in a losing battle. Avoid using it for casual or minor efforts.

Gold Rule

Figurative vs. Literal

This is an idiom—never use it to describe physical exertion like lifting weights. It always implies a struggle or extreme effort.

Word Origin

Literally 'to put force from heels to crown,' referring to using every ounce of strength from head to toe.

Usage Notes

Used in contexts where someone is struggling against great odds. Often implies desperation or exhaustion.

Word Breakdown

एड़ी
heel
root
+
चोटी
crown/top
root
+
जोर
force/effort
root
+
लगाना
to apply/put
root
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