नाक कटना

nāk kaṭnāidiom
to lose face or suffer humiliation

उसने गलती की और नाक कट गई।

He made a mistake and lost face.


What It Really Means
To experience public humiliation or a significant loss of respect or dignity.
Literal Meaning
To have one's nose cut off.
Literal Breakdown
नाकnose+कटनाto be cut
Mental Image
The mental image of having one's nose cut off symbolizes the loss of honor and dignity, as the nose is often associated with these qualities in traditional Indian culture.
When to Use
A person who makes a public mistake or fails in a significant way might be said to have 'नाक कटना' or 'lost face.'
Cultural Note
In traditional Indian culture, the nose is often associated with honor and dignity. Cutting off the nose symbolizes a severe loss of respect, making this idiom a powerful way to describe public humiliation.
informal

To experience public humiliation or a significant loss of respect or dignity, often due to a mistake or failure.

उसने झूठ बोला और नाक कट गई।

He lied and lost face.

अगर तुम इस तरह से व्यवहार करते रहे तो नाक कट जाएगी।

If you keep behaving like this, you'll lose face.

This idiom is commonly used to describe situations where someone's reputation or social standing is damaged.

Related Phrases

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Indian culture, the nose is often associated with honor and dignity, so cutting it off symbolizes a severe loss of respect.

Gold Rule

Usage

Use this idiom to describe situations where someone's reputation is damaged due to their actions or mistakes.

Word Origin

The phrase 'नाक कटना' literally means 'nose to be cut off,' symbolizing the loss of honor or dignity in traditional Indian culture.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in social and professional contexts to describe the consequences of public mistakes or failures.

Word Breakdown

नाक
nose
root
+
कटना
to be cut
root
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