घड़ों पानी पड़ना

ghaṛõ pānī paṛnā
idiomIntermediateidiom
What It Really Means
To be in a very difficult or troublesome situation where one feels overwhelmed and helpless.
Literal Meaning
To fall into a well filled with water.
Literal Breakdown
घड़ोंwells+पानीwater+पड़नाto fall into or be in
Mental Image
The idiom evokes the image of someone falling into a deep well filled with water, symbolizing being trapped in a helpless and overwhelming situation.
When to Use
Imagine a person who has made a serious mistake at work and is now facing severe consequences. A colleague might say, 'अगर तुमने गलती की, तो तुम्हें घड़ों पानी पड़ना पड़ेगा,' meaning 'If you made a mistake, you will be in deep trouble.'
Cultural Note
This idiom is deeply rooted in Indian culture, where wells are a common feature in rural areas. The imagery of falling into a well filled with water is used to describe a situation where one feels trapped and helpless, similar to how one might feel in a deep pit of water.
informal

To be in a very difficult or troublesome situation where one feels overwhelmed and helpless, similar to being trapped in a deep pit of water.

अगर तुमने उसके साथ झूठ बोला, तो तुम्हें घड़ों पानी पड़ना पड़ेगा।

If you lied to him, you will be in deep trouble.

उसने गलती से सरकारी फाइलें खो दीं, अब उसे घड़ों पानी पड़ना पड़ेगा।

He accidentally lost the government files, now he is in a very difficult situation.

💡

This idiom is often used to describe a situation where someone has made a serious mistake or is facing severe consequences.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

घड़े का पानीidiom
a very difficult or troublesome situation

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is typically used in informal conversations to describe a situation where someone is in deep trouble or facing severe consequences.

Gold Rule

Literal vs. Figurative Meaning

Do not confuse the literal meaning of the words with the figurative meaning of the idiom. The idiom does not refer to actual water or wells but to a metaphorical sense of being overwhelmed.

📖Word Origin

The idiom comes from the imagery of being trapped in a deep well (घड़ा) filled with water, symbolizing being stuck in a helpless and overwhelming situation.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to express that someone is in a very difficult or troublesome situation. It is often used to warn someone about the consequences of their actions.

Word Breakdown

घड़ों
wells
root
+
पानी
water
root
+
पड़ना
to fall into or be in
root
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