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मुँह में राम बगल में छुरा

/muːnʱ mẽː raːm bəɡəl mẽː tʃʰʊɾaː/
idiom★Intermediate— a hypocrite with hidden malice◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
A person who appears virtuous or harmless but harbors malicious intentions, often deceiving others with a facade of goodness.
¶ Literal Meaning
Mouth chanting 'Ram' (a Hindu deity) but a dagger hidden in the armpit.
Literal Breakdown
मुँह में रामchanting the name of the Hindu deity Ram, symbolizing piety+बगल में छुराa dagger hidden under the armpit, symbolizing hidden danger
◇ Mental Image
A mental picture of a person chanting holy prayers while secretly hiding a weapon, representing hypocrisy and deceit.
◈ When to Use
Describing a politician who publicly praises honesty but is involved in corruption, or a friend who acts kind but spreads rumors behind your back.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom is deeply rooted in Hindu cultural imagery, where 'Ram' is a symbol of righteousness and morality. The contrast with a hidden dagger underscores the cultural emphasis on sincerity and trust.
informal

A person who appears virtuous or harmless but harbors malicious intentions.

उसके चेहरे पर मुस्कान थी, मगर मुँह में राम बगल में छुरा था।

He had a smile on his face, but he was a hypocrite with hidden malice.

वह मुँह में राम बगल में छुरा वाला आदमी है।

He is a man who is a hypocrite with hidden malice.

💡

Used to describe someone who pretends to be good but is secretly dangerous or deceitful.

Synonyms

ढोंगीकपटीविश्वासघाती

Antonyms

ईमानदारविश्वसनीय

Related Phrases

छिपे हुए इरादेphrase
hidden intentions
दो मुँह वालाphrase
two-faced

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This idiom reflects the cultural importance of religious symbolism in Hindi-speaking regions. 'Ram' is revered as a deity, while a 'छुरा' (dagger) represents danger, creating a striking contrast.

⚡Gold Rule

Idiom Usage

Use this idiom to describe people who pretend to be good but have harmful intentions. It is not used for literal situations but for social or interpersonal contexts.

📖Word Origin

This idiom originates from Hindi folklore and religious imagery. 'मुँह में राम' (mouth chanting 'Ram', a Hindu deity) symbolizes piety or harmlessness, while 'बगल में छुरा' (a dagger in the armpit) represents hidden danger. The contrast highlights hypocrisy.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is used in both spoken and written Hindi to describe people who appear kind or harmless but are secretly malicious. It is often used in social or political contexts to warn others about deceitful individuals.

Word Breakdown

मुँह में राम
mouth chanting 'Ram' (symbolizing piety or harmlessness)
phrase
+
बगल में छुरा
a dagger hidden in the armpit (symbolizing hidden danger)
phrase
हिन्दी-अंग्रेज़ी शब्दकोश

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