Idioms and Phrases

Definition of Idiom and Phrases along with various idioms, phrases with their respective meaning in Hindi are given here in this topic.

Idiom

An Idiom is an expression that doesn’t exactly mean what the words say.

Example –

She spilled the beans (Meaning – She talked too much and told the secret).

OR 

An idiom is “an expression whose meaning cannot be predicted from the usual meanings of its constituent elements.”

 

Phrases

A phrase is a grammatical term referring to a group of words that does not include a subject and verb.

OR

A group of words that stand together as a single unit, typically as a part of a clause or a sentence. 

• It does not contain a subject and a verb.
• It cannot convey a complete thought.

Example –

He does his work without any care.
The doctor is a man with kindly nature.

In above examples all highlighted group of words are called as Phrases.

 

Idioms/Phrases starting with letter A

Above par – साधारण से ऊँचे स्तर का

Example – He is clearly above par among all the players.

A big draw – बहुत सारे लोगों के आकर्षण का केन्द्र

Example – SUVs has proved to be a big draw in car segment.

A bone to pick – एक विवाद जिसे निपटना हो

Example – I still have a bone to pick with my neighbor.

A cakewalk – एक आसान कार्य

Example – Solving this query is really a cakewalk.

A chill to the heart – बहुत अधिक भय

Example – The recent earthquake struck a chill to to our hearts.

A close fisted person – कंजूस व्यक्ति

Example – He is a close fisted person, he will not give you any donation for orphanage.

A duck in the thunderstorm – परेशान, निराश

Example – Rajeev was a duck in thunderstorm when he first entered in college hostel.

A far cry from – एकदम अलग

Example – I enjoyed visiting Goa but it was a far cry from the ideal beach destination I expected.

A flash in the pan – अचानक परन्तु क्षणिक सफलता

Example – He has no talent, his success is just a flash in the pan.

A good hand – कुशल, निपुण

Example -This mechanic is a good hand hand at repairing any two wheeler vehicle easily.

A herculean task – बहुत कठिन कार्य

Example – Preparing for Olympics in such a short span is a herculean task.

A leap in the dark – बिना निश्चितता के खतरे से भरा कदम

Example – He took a leap in the dark with his investments in share market.

A sea change – एक बड़ा बदलाव

Example – The demonetization is know to be a sea change in Indian Economy.

A sore point – ऐसा मुद्दा जो लोगों को नाराज़ या शर्मिंदा कर सकता है

Example – Reports of scams almost everywhere has become a sore point for government.

A square deal – ईमानदारी पूर्वक किया गया कार्य

Example – This businessman is so honest that he always believes in a square deal with customers.

A standing joke – मज़ाक या हँसी का विषय

Example – It has become a standing joke among the people that politics is corruption free in India.

About face/turn – अपने विचार, दृष्टिकोण में पूर्ण बदलाव

Example – There has been a about turn in the government’s economic policies.

Above board – स्पष्ट एवं ईमानदारी भरा

Example – Our dealing with the customers is completely above board.

A nig-nag – बेवकूफ

Example – You might be a nig-nag if you believe someone blindly.

Ace up one’s sleeve – एक ऐसी लाभ पहुँचाने वाली चीज जिसके बारे में दूसरों को पता नहीं हो

Example – He is a shrewd politician and he has always had an ace up his sleeve to gain advantage over others.

Achilles’ heel – कमजोर पहलू

Example – English has always been my Achilles’ heel.

Acid test – कठिन परीक्षा

Example – The no-confidence motion to be brought by the opposition will be an acid test of the government and its allies.

Across the board – सभी को एक समान

Example – The promotions were granted across the board.

Act on the square – ईमानदारी पूर्ण काम करना

Example – He can always be trusted to act on the square.

Add insult to injury – जले पर नमक छिड़कना, स्थिति को बदतर बना देना

Example – Mahesh was dismissed from the job and it added insult to injury when an enquiry was set up against him.

After one’s own heart – समान

Example – So far as eating habit is concerned, Saurabh is after my own heart.

Against the clock – किसी तय समय में कार्य को पूरा करने की जल्दबाजी

Example – The students of the group have assured their project guide that they will all work against the clock.

Alive and kicking – सक्रिय एवं स्वस्थ

Example – I’ve fully recovered from illness and now I feel alive and kicking.

All and sundry – सभी लोग

Example – The new tax is going to hit all and sundry.

All ears – सुनने को पूरी तरह उत्सुक

Example – His narrative was so interesting that I was all ears to listen the whole story.

All Greek – अनजान (विषय आदि)

Example – Politics is all Greek for the middle class.

All one – समान, कोई अंतर नहीं

Example – It is all one for me whether you live in Bengaluru or the U.S.A.

Alter ego – बहुत नजदीकी दोस्त

Example – When your alter ego feels hurt, you too feel hurt.

An eye to the main chance – किसी भी परिस्थिति का अपने फायदे के लिये इस्तेमाल

Example – Kuldeep is a shrewd businessman; he always has an eye to the main chance to earn profit.

Apple of discord – विवाद या झगड़े का कारण

Example – Kashmir has always been an apple of discord between India and Pakistan.

Apple of one’s eye – बहत प्यारा

Example – In a very short period, because of his friendly and helpful nature he has become an apple of my eyes.

Apple pie order – साफ – सुथरा एवं सुव्यवस्थित

Example – When I returned from the office it was a pleasant surprise to see my room in an apple pie order.

Argus-eyed -चौकन्ना

Example – The guard of our apartment is argus-eyed; not a single person can get in without interrogation

Armchair critic – जो हकीकत से परे चीजों का सिर्फ सैद्धांतिक आलोचना करता है

Example – On television these days we find many armchair critics talking loudly on national problems.

Armed to the teeth – हथियारों से लैस

Example – The group of the bandits was armed to the teeth.

Around the clock – पूरे समय, चौबीसों घंटे

Example – The army deployed at the border mans it around the clock.

Arrow in the quiver – रणनीति या ऐसा विकल्प जो लक्ष्य हासिल करा दे

Example – Being the only son, his threat to committing suicide always acts as an arrow in the quiver in blackmailing his father.

As duck takes to water – आसान कार्य, सुगम

Example – For some people, writing verse is as duck takes to water.

As good as one’s word – वादे का पक्का

Example – The teacher was as good as his word.

As good luck would have it -सौभाग्यवश

Example – As good luck would have it, it did not rain on the day of the wedding.

As hard as nail – भावना या संवेदना हीन

Example – He is as hard as nail, never moved by anything.

As true as steel – विश्वासी, भरोसेमंद

Example – I am proud that my employees are as true as steel.

At a discount – स्तरहीन, गुणहीन

Example – A good many at a discount books are available in the market.

At a loss – पूरी तरह से भ्रमित (कन्फ्यूज्ड)

Example – The police is completely at a loss over the real culprit.

At a premium – जिसे ज्यादा महत्व दिया जाये

Example – Dishonesty is at a premium in almost all spheres of public life.

At an arm’s length – अपने से दूर (परहेज करने के उद्देश्य से)

Example – I always keep selfish friends at arm’s length.

At cross purposes – विरोधी

Example – For their own selfish ends political parties work at cross purposes compromising on the interest of the common man.

At dagger’s  drawn – शत्रतापूर्ण

Example – After the death of their father, the two brothers are at dagger’s drawn over paternal property.

At large – (कानून की) पकड़ से बाहर

Example – The culprit is still at large.

At loggerheads – विरोधी, शत्रुतापूर्ण

Example – The union of the workers and the management are at loggerheads that affects production.

At odds – विचारों में विरोधी

Example – I am at odds with those who find God only in temples.

At one go – एक बार में

Example – I will have to drink this medicine at one go.

At one’s wit’s end – पूरी तरह से भ्रमित (कन्फ्यूज्ड)

Example – I was at my wit’s end when I lost my wallet in that unknown town and had no money at all.

At random – बिना कारण के

Example – The police fired at random at the violent crowd and several persons lost their lives.

At sea – भ्रमित (कन्फ्यूज्ड)

Example – I was at sea when I found many questions from out of syllabus.

At snail’s pace – धीमी गति से

Example – In government offices, files move at snail’s pace.

At stake – दाव पर, खतरे में

Example – In the coming election, the political existence of many parties is at stake.

At the drop of a hat – तुरंत, बिना देर किए

Example – The sum is very easy, I can solve it at the drop of a hat.

At the eleventh hour – अंतिम अवसर पर

Example – You can not pass the exam by starting your preparation at the eleventh hour.

At the first blush – पहली नज़र में

Example – At the first blush it was all obvious that he was dissatisfied the proposal.

Awe inspiring – भय पैदा करने वाला (अपने गुणों के कारण)

Example – Despite many centuries and all development, ancient monuments are still awe inspiring.

Axe to grind – अपना स्वार्थ सिद्धि

Example – Even in unfortunate happenings, politicians find an axe to grind.

Action speaks louder than words – बातों से ज्यादा काम दिखता है

Example – One should realise that action speaks louder than words.

A drop in bucket – ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा

Example – Your donations are a drop in bucket as the function needs a large amount of money

A hot potato – ज्वलंत मुद्दा

Example – Economic situation at present seems to be a hot potato for the government.

A picture paints a thousand words – तस्वीर शब्दों से कहीं अधिक बयां करती है।

Example – One should understand the cordial relation between Modi and Putin as a picture paints a thousand words.

All good things must come to an end – कोई अच्छी चीज हमेशा के लिए नहीं रह सकती

Example – I know you’re sad to leave this place but all good things must come to an end.

A rift in the lute – एक छोटी गलती जिससे सब कुछ तबाह हो जाए

Example – His ignorance of his parents proved a rift in the lute.

All bark and no bite – केवल कहने में बड़ा परन्तु हकीकत में कुछ नहीं।

Example – My friend always talks big about making money but he is all bark and no bite.

An arm and a leg – बहुत अधिक रुपया

Example – Neeraj Chopra is going to get an arm and a leg with his success in Olympics.

Aid and abet – किसी अवैध काम में किसी की सहायता करना

Example – Azharuddin was banned and charged with aiding and abetting the match fixing.

All over hell’s half acre – हर जगह फैला हुआ

Example – At present corruption is spread all over hell’s half acre.

Asleep at the wheel – कर्तव्य का पालन न कर पाना

Example – you are not supposed to be asleep at the wheel during working hours.

An axe to grind – एक विवाद जिसे निपटाना जरूरी हो

Example – I have an axe to grind with my friend over the way he behaved with my guest.

A beehive – एक व्यस्त जगह

Example – Patna is considered a beehive because of the students.

A golden mean – एक बीच का रास्ता

Example – Court should find a golden mean to settle the dispute between Farmers and Government.

A nine days’ wonder – चार दिन की चाँदनी

Example – BJP Government in Karnataka might be a nine days’ wonder.

A Penelope’s web – कभी समाप्त नहीं होने वाला

Example – Corruption in Indian Administrative Systems seems to be a penelope’s web.

All thumbs – काम करने में बेढंगा

Example – Those who are all thumbs won’t be considered for the job.

As daft as a brush – एकदम मूर्ख

Example – Kalidas used to be as daft as a brush before enlightenment.

As the crow flies – एकदम सीधी रेखा में

Example – You should walk as the crow flies in order to reach your destination.

A cuckoo in the nest – समूह में बाकियों से अलग

Example – Since John is devoted to his works he seems a cuckoo in the nest among all employees.

A house of cards – अति महत्त्वाकांक्षी योजना जिसकी असफलता की संभावना अधिक हो

Example – The Scientist’s claim of setting up abodes on another planet in near future appears a house of cards.

Alphabet soup – चीजों का अस्त -व्यस्त संग्रह

Example – In order to revamp the governance, the CM has ended up creating an alphabet soup of ministries.

Alarms and excursion – शोर – शराबा, अव्यवस्थित माहौल, उथल-पुथल

Example – The alarms and excursions in the living room wake me up from a sound sleep.

An old head on young shoulders – कम उम्र में ही परिपक्व होना

Example – He is only sixteen but seems to have an old head on young shoulders.

A stiff-necked person – जिद्दी व्यक्ति

Example – It is difficult to convince him as he is a stiff-necked person.

A livewire – ऊर्जावान व्यक्ति

Example – I always prefer him as my teammate because he is a livewire.

All moonshine – बेकार, वास्तविकता से परे

Example – His claim about his knowledge in the subject is all moonshine.

At variance with – असहमत

Example – You might be at variance with some issues of the government but there are some good schemes being run by it.

Add fuel to the fire/flame – भड़काना, स्थिति को बदतर बना देना

Example – The workers were already dissatisfied with the management and the recent retrenchment of some workers added fuel to the fire.

At the end of one’s tether – सहनशक्ति की अंतिम सीमा तक

Example – The continuously rising inflation and insensitive leadership put the common man at the end of his tether.