پا تو کفش کسی کردن

What it means

پا تو کفش کسی کردن (pâ tu kafsh-e kasi kardan) literally “to put one’s foot in someone’s shoe.” Figuratively, it means to meddle, interfere in matters that aren’t yours, butt into someone’s life or work uninvited.

How to use it

• پاتو نکن تو کفش من (pâ-t-o nakon tu kafsh-e man) “Don’t meddle in my business”
• هی پا می‌کنه تو کفش بقیه (hey pâ mikone tu kafsh-e baqiye) “He keeps butting into other people’s affairs”
• چرا پا تو کفش من کردی؟ (cherâ pâ tu kafsh-e man kardi?) “Why did you interfere with me?”

The literal meaning

You’re trying to wear someone else’s shoes, take their position, walk their path, interfere with their footing. The shoe stands for someone’s domain, role, or business.

The figurative meaning

An aunt giving unsolicited advice on how to raise your kids, a coworker editing your project without permission, a neighbor commenting on your marriage. Always unwelcome, always overreach.

When you’d say it

Your mother-in-law is rearranging your kitchen during a visit. You vent to your spouse later: همش پا می‌کنه تو کفش من.

Cultural note

Iranian families are deeply enmeshed, this idiom names a constant tension. Direct confrontation is rare, so people use this phrase in private complaint or as a sharp warning when patience runs out. It pairs with the milder سرک کشیدن (sarak keshidan) “to peek into others’ business.”

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab