नाकों चने चबवाना

nākoṃ chane cabvānā◆idiom
to make someone suffer greatly

उसके बॉस ने उसे इतना काम दिया कि उसने नाकों चने चबवा दिए।

His boss gave him so much work that he made him suffer greatly.

◆ What It Really Means
To cause someone extreme difficulty or suffering, often by overburdening them.
Literal Meaning
To make someone chew chickpeas using their nose.
Literal Breakdown
नाकोंusing the nose(s)+चनेchickpeas+चबवानाto make someone chew
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture evoked is of someone being forced to chew chickpeas with their nose, which is physically impossible and thus absurd. This absurdity highlights the extreme and unreasonable nature of the suffering or difficulty being inflicted.
◈ When to Use
Imagine a student given an impossible amount of homework by a strict teacher, or an employee overloaded with tasks by an unreasonable boss. In such cases, one might say the teacher or boss is making the student or employee 'नाकों चने चबवाना'.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Hindi cultural emphasis on endurance and the idea of suffering silently. It is often used in contexts where someone is pushed to their limits, whether by work, expectations, or societal pressures.
informal

To torment or harass someone to the point of extreme difficulty or exhaustion.

उसके ससुराल वालों ने उसे इतना तंग किया कि उसने नाकों चने चबवा दिए।

His in-laws harassed her so much that they made her suffer greatly.

Often used when someone is overburdened with work, expectations, or demands.

Related Phrases

नाक काटनाidiom
to harass or trouble someone severely
नाक में दम करनाidiom
to make life difficult for someone

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this idiom when describing someone who is overwhelmed by work, expectations, or demands. It is not used for physical pain but for emotional or mental suffering.

Gold Rule

Idiom vs. Literal Meaning

This is a figurative idiom. Do not confuse it with the literal meaning of chewing something (चबाना) or the nose (नाक).

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone being pushed to their limits. It conveys a sense of extreme difficulty or suffering, often due to excessive demands or pressure.

Word Breakdown

नाकों
of the nose (instrumental case plural)
postposition
+
चने
chickpeas (accusative plural)
noun
+
चबवाना
to make someone chew
verb (causative)
हिन्दी-अंग्रेज़ी शब्दकोश