दाँत खट्टे करना

dā̃t khaṭṭe karnāidiom
to defeat decisively

उस मैच में हमारे खिलाड़ियों ने विरोधी टीम के दाँत खट्टे कर दिए।

In that match, our players defeated the opposing team decisively.


What It Really Means
To defeat someone so thoroughly that they feel humiliated or completely outmatched.
Literal Meaning
To make someone's teeth sour
Literal Breakdown
दाँतteeth+खट्टेsour+करनाto make
Mental Image
The mental picture is of someone's teeth puckering from sourness, symbolizing the bitter taste of defeat.
When to Use
Imagine a boxer overwhelming their opponent so badly that the loser feels physically sick from the humiliation.
Cultural Note
This idiom reflects traditional Hindi cultural expressions where physical sensations (like sour taste) metaphorically represent emotional states (like humiliation or defeat). It is deeply rooted in Hindi's figurative language traditions.
informal

To defeat someone thoroughly and humiliate them in a competition or conflict.

उस लड़ाई में उसने अपने दुश्मन के दाँत खट्टे कर दिए।

In that fight, he defeated his enemy decisively.

टीम ने फाइनल में प्रतिद्वंद्वी के दाँत खट्टे कर जीत हासिल की।

The team defeated their rival decisively in the final to win.

Often used in sports, debates, or any competitive scenario where one side is completely outmatched.

Related Phrases

Pro Tip

Usage in Sports Commentary

This phrase is frequently used by Hindi-speaking sports commentators to describe a team or player's dominant performance, e.g., 'उसने विरोधी टीम के दाँत खट्टे कर दिए' (He made the opposing team's teeth sour).

Usage Notes

This idiom draws from the literal sense of making someone's teeth sour (as if from defeat), implying humiliation or overwhelming victory. It is commonly used in informal and colloquial Hindi.

Word Breakdown

दाँत
teeth
root
+
खट्टे
sour
adjective
+
करना
to make
verb
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