Idioms

Idioms: Definitions, Types, Rules, and Examples

Definition of Idioms

In English:

An idiom is a group of words or a phrase that has a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words. Idioms are commonly used in everyday language to express ideas in a more vivid and imaginative way.

Example:
“Break the ice” – To initiate conversation in a social setting.

In Hindi:

मुहावरा ऐसे वाक्यांश होते हैं जिनका अर्थ उनके शब्दशः अर्थ से भिन्न होता है। ये किसी भाषा को अधिक रोचक और अभिव्यंजक बनाते हैं।

उदाहरण:
“बराबर का टक्कर” – समान स्तर की प्रतियोगिता।

Difference Between Idioms and Phrases

FeatureIdiomsPhrases
MeaningFigurative and non-literalLiteral or contextual
InterpretationCannot be understood directlyOften understood directly
Example (English)“Piece of cake” (Very easy)“In the park” (A location)
Example (Hindi)“आंख का तारा” (बहुत प्रिय)“घर में” (स्थान बताने वाला)

Types of Idioms and Phrases

  1. Idiomatic Expressions: Fixed phrases with figurative meanings.
    Example: “A blessing in disguise” (A good thing that seems bad initially).
  2. Proverbs: Traditional sayings that express wisdom.
    Example: “A stitch in time saves nine” (Solve problems early).
  3. Phrasal Verbs: Combination of verbs with prepositions or adverbs.
    Example: “Give up” (To quit).
  4. Similes and Metaphors: Comparisons to express ideas vividly.
    Example: “As brave as a lion” (Very courageous).

Rules for Using Idioms and Phrases

1- Context is Key: Use idioms where they fit the situation.

  • Incorrect: He kicked the bucket (meaning died) during the race.
  • Correct: My grandfather kicked the bucket last year.

2- Maintain Structure: Do not alter the structure of idioms.

  • Incorrect: He let out the bag.
  • Correct: He let the cat out of the bag. (To reveal a secret)

3- Know the Audience: Avoid using complex idioms with those unfamiliar with the language.

4- Formal vs. Informal: Use formal phrases in academic writing and idioms in casual speech.

List of 100 Idioms With Their Meanings and Uses

  1. A blessing in disguise – छुपा हुआ वरदान
    Usage: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
  2. A dime a dozen – बहुत आम होना
    Usage: Cheap toys are a dime a dozen.
  3. Beat around the bush – मुद्दे से बचना
    Usage: Stop beating around the bush and answer directly.
  4. Better late than never – देर आए दुरुस्त आए
    Usage: He finally arrived – better late than never.
  5. Break a leg – शुभकामनाएँ देना
    Usage: Break a leg in your performance today!
  6. Call it a day – काम समाप्त करना
    Usage: Let’s call it a day and go home.
  7. Cut corners – शॉर्टकट लेना
    Usage: Don’t cut corners on safety measures.
  8. Hit the sack – सो जाना
    Usage: I’m exhausted – time to hit the sack.
  9. Piece of cake – बहुत आसान काम
    Usage: The test was a piece of cake.
  10. Under the weather – बीमार महसूस करना
    Usage: I’m feeling under the weather today.
  11. Spill the beans – राज़ खोल देना
    Usage: He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
  12. Burn the midnight oil – देर रात तक काम करना
    Usage: She burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
  13. Kick the bucket – मर जाना
    Usage: The old man finally kicked the bucket.
  14. Cry over spilled milk – बीती बात पर पछताना
    Usage: Don’t cry over spilled milk – move on.
  15. Cost an arm and a leg – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: This watch cost me an arm and a leg.
  16. Go the extra mile – अतिरिक्त प्रयास करना
    Usage: She always goes the extra mile for customers.
  17. Let the cat out of the bag – भेद खोल देना
    Usage: He let the cat out of the bag by mistake.
  18. Hit the nail on the head – सही बात कहना
    Usage: You hit the nail on the head with your analysis.
  19. Bite off more than you can chew – क्षमता से अधिक लेना
    Usage: He bit off more than he could chew at work.
  20. Add fuel to the fire – आग में घी डालना
    Usage: His words added fuel to the fire.
  21. Once in a blue moon – कभी-कभी
    Usage: I only see my cousins once in a blue moon.
  22. Through thick and thin – हर स्थिति में
    Usage: She stayed with me through thick and thin.
  23. The ball is in your court – अब आपकी बारी है
    Usage: I’ve done my part, now the ball is in your court.
  24. In the blink of an eye – पल भर में
    Usage: The accident happened in the blink of an eye.
  25. Burning the candle at both ends – अधिक मेहनत करना
    Usage: She’s burning the candle at both ends with work and study.
  26. A penny for your thoughts – तुम्हारे विचार क्या हैं?
    Usage: You seem quiet – a penny for your thoughts?
  27. Actions speak louder than words – कर्म शब्दों से अधिक प्रभावशाली होते हैं
    Usage: Don’t just promise – actions speak louder than words.
  28. At the drop of a hat – तुरंत
    Usage: He is ready to help at the drop of a hat.
  29. Hit the books – पढ़ाई करना
    Usage: I need to hit the books before my exam.
  30. Jump on the bandwagon – किसी प्रचलन में शामिल होना
    Usage: Everyone is jumping on the fitness bandwagon these days.
  31. Out of the blue – अचानक
    Usage: She called me out of the blue.
  32. Throw in the towel – हार मान लेना
    Usage: After hours of trying, he finally threw in the towel.
  33. Break the bank – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: That designer bag will break the bank.
  34. Up in the air – अनिश्चित
    Usage: Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
  35. Fit as a fiddle – पूरी तरह स्वस्थ
    Usage: My grandfather is 80 but fit as a fiddle.
  36. Read between the lines – छिपा हुआ अर्थ समझना
    Usage: You need to read between the lines of this contract.
  37. Bite the bullet – कठिन परिस्थिति का सामना करना
    Usage: I had to bite the bullet and finish the project.
  38. Caught between a rock and a hard place – कठिनाई में फंसना
    Usage: I’m caught between a rock and a hard place with this decision.
  39. Cut to the chase – मुद्दे पर आना
    Usage: Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main point.
  40. Let bygones be bygones – बीती बातों को भूल जाना
    Usage: It’s time to let bygones be bygones and move on.
  41. Hit the nail on the head – सही बात कहना
    Usage: You hit the nail on the head with your analysis.
  42. Under the weather – बीमार महसूस करना
    Usage: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
  43. A piece of cake – बहुत आसान
    Usage: The exam was a piece of cake.
  44. Cost an arm and a leg – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: This dress cost me an arm and a leg.
  45. Break a leg – शुभकामनाएं देना
    Usage: Break a leg at your performance tonight!
  46. Throw caution to the wind – खतरा मोल लेना
    Usage: He threw caution to the wind and invested in the startup.
  47. A blessing in disguise – छुपा हुआ वरदान
    Usage: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
  48. Call it a day – काम खत्म करना
    Usage: Let’s call it a day and go home.
  49. Give someone the cold shoulder – उपेक्षा करना
    Usage: She gave me the cold shoulder at the party.
  50. The last straw – अंतिम सहनशीलता
    Usage: His rude comment was the last straw.
  51. Keep an eye on – नजर रखना
    Usage: Can you keep an eye on my bag?
  52. A dime a dozen – बहुत सामान्य
    Usage: Such products are a dime a dozen these days.
  53. Burn the midnight oil – देर रात तक मेहनत करना
    Usage: I burned the midnight oil to finish my project.
  54. Go the extra mile – अतिरिक्त प्रयास करना
    Usage: She’s willing to go the extra mile for her clients.
  55. Pull someone’s leg – मजाक करना
    Usage: Are you pulling my leg, or is it true?
  56. Throw in the towel – हार मान लेना
    Usage: After hours of effort, he threw in the towel.
  57. Beat around the bush – गोलमोल बात करना
    Usage: Stop beating around the bush and answer directly.
  58. Cut corners – शॉर्टकट लेना
    Usage: Don’t cut corners on quality.
  59. In hot water – मुसीबत में होना
    Usage: He’s in hot water because of his mistake.
  60. Through thick and thin – हर परिस्थिति में
    Usage: They’ve been together through thick and thin.
  61. Jump the gun – जल्दबाजी करना
    Usage: Don’t jump the gun before you have all the facts.
  62. By the skin of your teeth – मुश्किल से बचना
    Usage: He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
  63. Let the cat out of the bag – राज खोलना
    Usage: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.
  64. Throw in the towel – हार मान लेना
    Usage: After hours of trying, he finally threw in the towel.
  65. Hit the sack – सो जाना
    Usage: I’m exhausted; I’m going to hit the sack.
  66. Fish out of water – असहज महसूस करना
    Usage: He felt like a fish out of water at the party.
  67. Out of the blue – अचानक
    Usage: She called me out of the blue yesterday.
  68. A penny for your thoughts – आपकी राय क्या है?
    Usage: You look thoughtful. A penny for your thoughts?
  69. Once in a blue moon – बहुत कम
    Usage: We go out for dinner once in a blue moon.
  70. Hit the books – पढ़ाई करना
    Usage: I need to hit the books for my exams.
  71. Add fuel to the fire – आग में घी डालना
    Usage: His sarcastic comment added fuel to the fire.
  72. On cloud nine – बहुत खुश होना
    Usage: She was on cloud nine after winning the prize.
  73. Bite off more than you can chew – अपनी क्षमता से अधिक लेना
    Usage: Don’t bite off more than you can chew at work.
  74. Cry over spilled milk – बीती बातों पर पछताना
    Usage: There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
  75. Feel under the weather – अस्वस्थ महसूस करना
    Usage: I’m feeling under the weather today.
  76. Jump on the bandwagon – किसी लोकप्रिय चीज़ को अपनाना
    Usage: Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of the new trend.
  77. Kill two birds with one stone – एक तीर से दो निशाने साधना
    Usage: I killed two birds with one stone by shopping while exercising.
  78. Miss the boat – मौका चूकना
    Usage: You missed the boat by not applying earlier.
  79. On the ball – सतर्क और कुशल
    Usage: She’s really on the ball with the new project.
  80. A wild goose chase – व्यर्थ की खोज
    Usage: Finding my lost keys was a wild goose chase.
  81. Costs a pretty penny – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: That car must have cost a pretty penny.
  82. Kick the bucket – मर जाना
    Usage: He kicked the bucket last year.
  83. Break the bank – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: This vacation won’t break the bank.
  84. A storm in a teacup – छोटी बात को बड़ा बनाना
    Usage: This argument is just a storm in a teacup.
  85. Shape up or ship out – सुधर जाओ या चले जाओ
    Usage: The boss told him to shape up or ship out.
  86. Walk on eggshells – सावधानी से काम करना
    Usage: I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around him.
  87. Throw someone under the bus – किसी को नुकसान पहुंचाना
    Usage: He threw me under the bus to save himself.
  88. Hit the jackpot – बड़ी सफलता पाना
    Usage: She hit the jackpot with that new job.
  89. Take a rain check – बाद में करना
    Usage: I’ll take a rain check on dinner tonight.
  90. Lose your touch – कुशलता खो देना
    Usage: I think I’m losing my touch at tennis.
  91. Spill the beans – राज़ खोल देना
    Usage: He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise.
  92. Under your nose – बिलकुल सामने
    Usage: The keys were right under your nose.
  93. Blow your own trumpet – अपनी प्रशंसा करना
    Usage: Stop blowing your own trumpet.
  94. Go down in flames – बुरी तरह असफल होना
    Usage: The project went down in flames.
  95. Hit the road – यात्रा शुरू करना
    Usage: We should hit the road early tomorrow.
  96. Let your hair down – आराम करना
    Usage: It’s time to let your hair down and relax.
  97. Out of your league – आपकी पहुंच से बाहर
    Usage: That car is out of your league.
  98. Piece of the pie – हिस्सा
    Usage: Everyone wants a piece of the pie.
  99. Read between the lines – छुपा अर्थ समझना
    Usage: Read between the lines to understand his message.
  100. Play devil’s advocate – बहस के लिए विरोध करना
    Usage: I’m just playing devil’s advocate here.

Know About Phrases

Share This Post: