PhrasesHub

Khyber pass

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • obstacle or difficult situation
        Refer to a difficult or challenging situation, often used in a figurative sense

    Examples of Khyber pass

    • It was a tough decision, but we had to take the Khyber pass to reach our destination.

      The expression "Khyber pass" is being used figuratively to describe a difficult or complicated path that needs to be taken to achieve a specific goal. The Khyber pass is a treacherous mountainous passage in northwestern Pakistan that has historical significance as a trade route between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Its rough terrain and strategic importance make it a challenging journey, and the term "Khyber pass" has come to represent any obstacle that is arduous to overcome.

    • Their wedding was full of unexpected twists and turns, like a convoy passing through the Khyber pass.

      Here, the phrase "Khyber pass" is being used metaphorically to illustrate a journey filled with unexpected events. A convoy travelling through the Khyber pass faces numerous challenges like harsh terrain, dangerous bandits, and political upheavals, making the journey unpredictable. By comparing a wedding to the Khyber pass, we imply that the matrimony may also have an uncertain path because of unforeseen complications.

    • The road to success is not an easy one, but we're willing to take the Khyber pass to reach our destination.

      Similar to the previous example, this sentence portrays the path to achievement as difficult, and the comparison to the Khyber pass underscores that fact. The Khyber pass's arduousness symbolizes the challenges that one faces in achieving success, and it reminds us that the road to success is not an easy one.

    • The company's expansion plans were put to test as they traversed the Khyber pass of the market.

      This idiomatic use of "Khyber pass" compares the challenges faced by the company while expanding to a situation where traversing the Khyber pass is arduous but necessary. Just as the Khyber pass is risky but crucial for reaching the other side, the hurdles confronted by a company while expanding can also be challenging, but the significance of the goal must outweigh the obstacles faced.Each example sheds light on the cross-cultural significance of the term "Khyber pass," as the idiom transcends its geographic context and represents a more universally understood notion - that of overcoming difficult obstacles. By comparing different scenarios to the Khyber pass, we intend to convey the harshness and obstacles inherent in the situations.

    • She navigated through the complexities of the business world like a seasoned traveler traversing the treacherous Khyber Pass.

      This idiomatic expression is used to describe someone who is skilled at dealing with difficult or complex situations. The Khyber Pass was a traditional trade route between Afghanistan and India that was notoriously dangerous due to bandits and political unrest. This passage suggests that the person in question has the ability to successfully navigate through a similarly challenging environment.

    • The negotiations were a deeply entrenched struggle, with each side unwilling to budge an inch. Tensions ran high, and it seemed as though the entire process could unravel at any moment, much like the fraught journey through the Khyber Pass.

      This example uses the idiom to describe a situation that is difficult and complex, much like the historical passage through the Khyber Pass. The use of this idiom implies that the negotiation process is similarly fraught with danger and uncertainty, and that the successful resolution of the negotiations would be as challenging as successfully passing through the treacherous route to the east.

    • It was a turbulent time in the organization, with factions vying for power and control. The climate was volatile, much like the unpredictable environment through the Khyber Pass.

      This example compares the internal politics of the organization to the dangers of the Khyber Pass, implying that the dynamics within the organization are similarly challenging and uncertain. The use of this idiom highlights the sense of danger and unpredictability that pervades both environments, suggesting that the successful resolution of the organization's internal conflicts will be as difficult and complex as traversing the infamous trade route.

    • The road ahead was fraught with uncertainty, with pitfalls and obstacles lurking around every corner. It was much like attempting to pass through the Khyber Pass, where the slightest misstep could prove fatal.

      This final example uses the idiom to describe a situation that is uncertain and treacherous, much like the perilous journey through the Khyber Pass. The use of this idiom underscores the dangers and uncertainties of the situation, suggesting that the successful resolution of the challenge will require the same level of skill, determination, and resilience as the intrepid travelers who successfully navigated the Khyber Pass.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Khyber pass" can be used to discourage someone from a particular activity or to refer to a difficult situation.

    Origin of "Khyber pass"

    The idiom "Khyber pass" originates from the Khyber Pass, which is a mountain pass that connects Afghanistan and Pakistan. The pass has been historically significant as a route for various invasions and has been the site of numerous battles throughout history. The difficulty and strategic importance of the Khyber Pass have made it a symbol of challenging obstacles.

    In English, the idiom "Khyber pass" has been used to refer to discouraging someone or to describe a difficult situation, drawing on the historical significance of the actual pass. Its usage reflects the idea of facing a challenging obstacle or being advised against pursuing a particular course of action.