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Thai Expressions - Mid Advanced
Elephant Foot, Ant's Nest: Figurative Language
Explore specialized Thai expressions using animal metaphors to convey complex ideas.
Vocabulary preview
เหยียบตาช้าง
yîap dtaa cháang
— To step on an elephant's foot (to make a big mistake, offend someone powerful)
เหยียบรังแตน
yîap rang dtaen
— To step on an ant's nest (to stir up trouble, cause a commotion)
กบในกะลา
gòp nai gà-laa
— To be like a frog in a coconut shell (narrow-minded, limited perspective)
เอาน้ำรดหัวตอ
ao náam rót hǔa dtôr
— To bring water to fill a frog's mouth (to do something useless or futile)
แหย่เสือหลับ
yàe sǔea làp
— To scratch the back of a sleeping tiger (to provoke a dangerous situation)
ขี่ช้างจับตั๊กแตน
kèe cháang jàp dták-gà-dtaen
— To ride an elephant to catch a grasshopper (to use excessive force for a small task)
Figurative Speech: Painting with Words
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