Common Nepali idioms and proverbs with their figurative meanings, for an upper-level learner. Front: the Nepali idiom (romanization in parentheses). Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- नाक काट्नु (Naak katnu)
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Literally 'to cut the nose'; to bring disgrace or shame on one's family- कान मा तेल हाल्नु (Kaan maa tel haalnu)
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Literally 'to pour oil in the ear'; to deliberately ignore something or refuse to listen- भुँडी बोक्नु (Bhundi boknu)
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Literally 'to carry a belly'; to be pregnant- बालुवामा पानी हाल्नु (Baaluvaamaa paani haalnu)
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Literally 'to pour water on sand'; to waste time, money, or effort with nothing to show for it- बाँदरको हातमा नरिवल (Baandarako haatamaa nariwal)
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Literally 'a coconut in a monkey's hand'; giving something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate or use it- आफ्नै खुट्टामा बञ्चरो हान्नु (Aafnai khuttaamaa banchro haannu)
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Literally 'to strike an axe on one's own foot'; to harm oneself through one's own actions- नाच्न नजान्ने आँगन टेढो (Naachna najaanne aangan tedho)
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Literally 'one who can't dance blames the crooked yard'; blaming outside circumstances for one's own shortcomings- जल बिना माछा जस्तै (Jala binaa maachhaa jastai)
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Literally 'like a fish without water'; feeling completely out of place or uncomfortable- एक ढुङ्गाले दुई चरा मार्नु (Ek dhungaale dui charaa maarnu)
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Literally 'to kill two birds with one stone'; achieving two goals with a single action- हात्तीको मुखमा जीरा (Haattiko mukhamaa jiraa)
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Literally 'cumin in an elephant's mouth'; an amount far too small to satisfy a large need- जस्को लाठी उस्को भैंसी (Jasko laathi usko bhainsi)
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Literally 'whoever holds the stick owns the buffalo'; might makes right, meaning power decides the outcome- कालो अक्षर भैंसी बराबर (Kaalo akshar bhainsi baraabar)
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Literally 'a black letter is like a buffalo'; said of someone who cannot read, meaning they cannot tell one written symbol from another- घर को भैंसी ले सर्है चित्तिक्क (Ghar ko bhainsi le sarai chittikka)
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Literally 'the buffalo from one's own home makes only a passing impression'; familiar things are often undervalued simply because they are familiar- आगोमा पानी पर्नु (Aagomaa paani parnu)
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Literally 'water falling on a fire'; unexpected relief or help arriving during a difficult moment- हात्ती आयो, पुल छैन (Haatti aayo, pul chhaina)
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Literally 'the elephant came, but there's no bridge'; an opportunity appears but cannot be used for lack of means
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