There is something wrong at the bottom – कुछ गड़बड़ है

The idiom “There is something wrong at the bottom” suggests that something is not right, often implying that there is a hidden problem or issue that is not immediately visible. It is used when you suspect that something may appear fine on the surface, but there is an underlying problem or suspicion that needs to be addressed.

Meaning:

• “There is something wrong at the bottom” means that there is an underlying issue or hidden flaw that might not be visible right away but could affect the outcome or situation.
• It often refers to situations where things seem okay initially, but you get a sense that something is off and needs to be investigated further.

Used When:

• When something seems off in a situation or conversation, but you cannot pinpoint exactly what’s wrong.
• To express suspicions that appearances may be deceiving and there could be a deeper issue.
• In situations where the surface is misleading, and further investigation is needed to uncover the truth.

Implied Message:
This idiom is a way of indicating that first impressions are not always reliable and that hidden problems can surface later. It encourages the idea of being cautious and diligent, always looking beyond what is immediately visible to avoid overlooking potential issues.

Hindi Equivalent:
“कुछ गड़बड़ है” (अर्थ: कोई ऐसी चीज़ है जो ठीक नहीं है, कुछ छुपा हुआ है।)

Detailed Explanation
This idiom is used when you suspect that things are not quite as they seem. For example, if you see someone acting strangely, but they don’t explain why, you might say, “There is something wrong at the bottom”. It suggests that there could be an underlying issue that needs to be uncovered or dealt with. This idiom reminds us that things are often not as they appear on the surface, and a closer examination is needed to find the truth.

Example Sentences:
English: “The company is reporting huge profits, but there’s a lot of debt in the background. There is something wrong at the bottom.”
Hindi: “कंपनी बहुत मुनाफा कमा रही है, लेकिन बैकग्राउंड में बहुत कर्ज है। कुछ गड़बड़ है।”

Key Takeaways:

• The idiom emphasizes the idea that what’s visible on the surface may not tell the full story.
• It encourages a deeper investigation into situations that might seem fine at first glance but could have hidden problems.
• It’s a reminder that sometimes things are not as they seem, and it’s important to be cautious before jumping to conclusions.

Origin of the Idiom:
The idiom originates from the idea of looking at the surface level and missing the real issues that could lie beneath it. Whether it’s a financial situation, a relationship, or any other scenario, this saying suggests that you dig deeper before making any decisions or judgments.

Real-World Examples:

In Conversations:
English: “The new policy looks good on paper, but there is something wrong at the bottom. We need to understand the details before we make a decision.”
Hindi: “नई नीति कागज पर अच्छी लग रही है, लेकिन कुछ गड़बड़ है। हमें निर्णय लेने से पहले विवरण को समझने की जरूरत है।”

In Business or Work:
English: “The budget seems balanced, but we should investigate further. There is something wrong at the bottom.”
Hindi: “बजट संतुलित लगता है, लेकिन हमें और जांच करनी चाहिए। कुछ गड़बड़ है।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When you sense something isn’t right but can’t immediately identify the problem.
• To caution someone that there may be hidden issues beneath a seemingly smooth situation.
• In financial contexts, workplaces, and personal situations when it seems like there may be an issue not visible on the surface.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever experienced a situation where everything seemed fine at first, but something hidden caused problems later?
• How does this idiom encourage us to investigate further and not accept everything at face value?

Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
Don’t judge a book by its cover	किताब को उसके कवर से मत आंकिए
Something smells fishy	कुछ गड़बड़ है
The truth will out	सच सामने आएगा