شمّر عن ساعديك
shammir 'an sa'idayk
The phrase 'roll up your sleeves' in Arabic is شمّر عن ساعديك (shammir 'an sa'idayk).
Like the English idiom, this phrase is used metaphorically to signal readiness for intense or strenuous effort.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'roll up your forearms'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form شمّر عن ساعديك is in the imperative mood and is addressed to a single male. To address a single female, use شمّري عن ساعديكِ. To address a group of people, the verb and the suffix change to شمّروا عن ساعديكم.
How do you pronounce it?
shammir 'an sa'idayk
Did you know?
- The word ساعد used for 'forearm' is also the root for the word 'help' or 'assist' in Arabic. Using this word to describe rolling up sleeves creates a linguistic link between the physical action and the act of providing aid.
- In modern Arabic political discourse, the verb شمّر is frequently used in news headlines to describe a government or organization beginning a major reform or a 'crackdown' on a social issue.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, a person might also use the term شدّ حيلك (shadd haylak), which literally means 'strengthen your strength' to encourage someone to face a challenge, rather than focusing on clothing.
Examples in context
- شمّر عن ساعديك للعمل الشاق.shammir 'an sa'idaika lil-'amal al-shaqq.Roll up your sleeves for the hard work.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are facing a huge pile of paperwork at the office.
- زياد Ziadانظري إلى كل هذه الأوراق يا ليلى!unzhuri ila kull hadhihi al-awraq ya Layla!Look at all these papers, Layla!
- ليلى Laylaهذا عمل كثير جداً، ماذا نفعل؟hadha 'amal kathir jiddan, madha naf'al?This is too much work, what do we do?
- زياد Ziadشمّر عن ساعديكِ، لنبدأ العمل فوراً.shammiri 'an saa'idayki, linabda' al-'amal fawran.Roll up your sleeves, let's start working immediately.
- ليلى Laylaحسناً يا زياد، أنا مستعدة.hasanan ya Ziyad, ana musta'idda.Alright Ziad, I am ready.
