Reading "he is hitting hands and feet a lot to get a job", Siya thinks he is literally waving his…

Why

Siya's reaction is understandable — 'हाथ-पैर मारना' does sound like literal physical movement, like someone flailing their arms and legs to hit something. That flailing image is in fact where this idiom comes from — like a drowning person thrashing their hands and feet to stay afloat — but it's used for putting in great effort, trying many different ways, or working very hard toward a goal, not for literally hitting anyone. 'नौकरी पाने के लिए हाथ-पैर मारना' means trying every possible avenue — sending applications, meeting people, giving interviews — with the restless effort of someone struggling to stay afloat. Test it: someone thrashing hands and feet to pass an exam clearly refers to effort and struggle, not physically hitting anyone. Her friend is right: 'हाथ-पैर मारना' is an idiom meaning making a great effort toward a goal, not literal fighting.