What it means
زیر آب زدن (zir-e âb zadan) literally “to hit (someone) under water.” Figuratively, it means to secretly undermine, sabotage, or badmouth someone, especially to their boss, partner, or family. The classic office-politics idiom.
How to use it
- زیر آبشو زد (zir-e âbesh-o zad) “He stabbed him in the back”
- پیش رئیس زیر آبمو زده (pish-e ra’is zir-e âb-am-o zade) “She badmouthed me to the boss”
- این کارا زیر آب زدنه (in kâr-â zir-e âb zadan-e) “This stuff is just backstabbing”
The literal meaning
To strike someone where the blow can’t be seen, beneath the surface of the water. The image suggests cowardly attack: hidden, unprovable, leaving no visible bruise.
The figurative meaning
Talking trash about a coworker to management, telling someone’s spouse a damaging story behind their back, or quietly sabotaging a rival’s promotion. Always covert, always with intent to harm reputation.
When you’d say it
You find out a coworker has been telling the manager you’re slacking off when you’re not. You complain to a friend: زیر آبمو زده.
Cultural note
This idiom is everywhere in Iranian workplaces and family politics. It’s strongly negative, accusing someone of zir-e âb zadan is a serious charge. The opposite virtue is رکگویی (rok-gu’i) “directness,” which Iranians admire but rarely practice in conflict.
References
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