Take a Hike – निकल जाओ / चलते बनो

The idiom “take a hike” is a casual and sometimes impolite expression used to tell someone to leave or go away. It implies that the person should go somewhere far away and not return, typically because their presence is unwanted. It is often used to express irritation or frustration, though it can also be used in a less serious or playful context.

Meaning:

• “Take a hike” means to leave or go away. It is a way of telling someone to get lost or go away when they are being bothersome or unwanted.
• It can also be used when you want to tell someone to stop bothering you or to move on from a situation.

Used When:

• When you are irritated or annoyed and want someone to leave you alone.
• To express frustration with someone’s presence or behavior.
• In more light-hearted contexts, when you’re jokingly telling someone to go away.

Implied Message:
The idiom “take a hike” can carry a tone of annoyance or irritation, especially when used in situations where one person feels that another is being disruptive or unwelcome. However, in some cases, it can be used playfully between friends or colleagues when they are joking around.

Hindi Equivalent:
“निकल जाओ” or “चलते बनो”
(अर्थ: किसी को हटाने या दूर जाने के लिए कहा जाता है, जब वह परेशान कर रहा हो या उसकी जरूरत न हो।)

Detailed Explanation
The idiom “take a hike” originally comes from the activity of hiking, where people go on long walks or treks in the wilderness. In its original sense, it would have meant to go on a walk or take a trip into nature. Over time, the expression evolved into a way of telling someone to leave or get lost, as if telling them to go on a long hike and not return.

In many contexts, saying someone should “take a hike” is a dismissive way of telling them to stop bothering you. It is often used when someone’s presence is unwanted, and you want to express your frustration or annoyance. It can be used with friends or strangers, though it can sometimes sound rude or impolite, especially if used in a serious tone.

Example Scenario:
Imagine you’re trying to concentrate on your work, but a coworker keeps interrupting you with small talk. After a few interruptions, you might say, “Take a hike!” to indicate that you want them to leave you alone so you can focus.

Example Sentences:
English: “You’ve been asking the same question over and over again. Just take a hike!”
Hindi: “तुम बार-बार वही सवाल पूछ रहे हो। बस निकल जाओ!”

Key Takeaways:

• “Take a hike” is a casual way to tell someone to leave or go away.
• The idiom often carries a tone of irritation, but can be used in a playful or joking manner among friends.
• It is a dismissive expression that can indicate you no longer want someone’s company or need them to stop bothering you.

Origin of the Idiom:
As mentioned earlier, the phrase originates from the idea of going on a hike or a long journey. Over time, it shifted from being a simple activity to becoming an informal way of telling someone to leave or go away. The idea is that they should go far away and not return, just as a hiker would leave for a long trip.

Real-World Examples:

In Social Settings:
English: “I told him to take a hike when he kept bringing up the same issue again and again.”
Hindi: “मैंने उसे निकल जाने को कहा जब वह बार-बार वही मुद्दा उठाने लगा।”

In Personal Relationships:
English: “If you’re not going to help me, take a hike!”
Hindi: “अगर तुम मेरी मदद नहीं करने वाले तो चलते बनो!”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When you want someone to go away or leave in a direct and sometimes harsh way.
• It can be used when you feel annoyed by someone’s behavior or actions.
• It’s often not appropriate for formal settings, as it can sound rude. However, it’s fine among close friends or when joking with someone you’re comfortable with.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever told someone to “take a hike”? In what situation did it occur?
• How can you use this idiom in a light-hearted or joking way?

Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
Get lost	निकल जाओ
Go away	चले जाओ
Take a walk	टहलने जाओ
Beat it	निकल जाओ