नाक में दम करना

nāk mẽ dam karnā◆idiom
to make life difficult

उसके ससुराल वालों ने उसकी इतनी नाक में दम कर रखा है कि वह अब घर छोड़कर भाग जाना चाहती है।

His in-laws have made her life so difficult that she now wants to run away from home.

◆ What It Really Means
To make someone's life unbearably difficult through constant harassment or oppression.
Literal Meaning
To suffocate someone by blocking their nostrils.
Literal Breakdown
नाकnostril+मेंin+दम करनाto exert pressure or suffocate
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture is of someone being choked or suffocated through their nose, symbolizing extreme oppression or harassment.
◈ When to Use
A person being relentlessly criticized or burdened by a strict boss, overbearing in-laws, or an abusive partner.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the cultural emphasis on honor and dignity in Hindi-speaking societies, where 'नाक' (nose/nose bridge) is often associated with pride and social standing.
informal

To harass or trouble someone excessively, making their life unbearable.

मालिक ने कर्मचारियों की इतनी नाक में दम कर रखी है कि सब नौकरी छोड़ने की सोच रहे हैं।

The boss has made the employees' lives so difficult that they are all thinking of quitting.

Often used in the context of oppressive behavior by authority figures or family members.

Related Phrases

नाक काटनाidiom
to humiliate or disgrace someone
नाक रखनाidiom
to maintain dignity or honor

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this idiom when someone is being excessively troubled or harassed, especially in a domestic or workplace setting. It implies a sustained, oppressive action rather than a single incident.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in Hindi-speaking regions to describe situations where someone is relentlessly harassed or burdened, often by those in power or close relationships.

Word Breakdown

नाक
nostril, nose
root
+
में
in
postposition
+
दम करना
to exert pressure or suffocate
verb phrase
हिन्दी-अंग्रेज़ी शब्दकोश