Phrases: Definitions, Types, Rules, and Examples

Definition of Phrases

In English:

A phrase is a small group of words that work together to convey a particular meaning but do not contain both a subject and a predicate.

Example:
“In the blink of an eye” – Very quickly.

In Hindi:

वाक्यांश उन शब्दों का समूह है जो एक विशेष अर्थ देते हैं लेकिन इनमें पूरा वाक्य (कर्ता और विधेय) नहीं होता।

उदाहरण:
“पल भर में” – बहुत जल्दी।

3. Difference Between Idioms and Phrases

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 Phrases With Their Meanings and Uses

1. A piece of cake – बहुत आसान
   Usage: This exam was a piece of cake.
2. A blessing in disguise – छुपा हुआ वरदान
   Usage: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
3. In the blink of an eye – पलक झपकते ही
   Usage: The storm passed in the blink of an eye.
4. At the eleventh hour – आखिरी समय में
   Usage: They finished the project at the eleventh hour.
5. By hook or by crook – किसी भी तरह से
   Usage: He will pass the exam by hook or by crook.
6. Out of the question – असंभव
   Usage: Going to the beach today is out of the question.
7. Burn the midnight oil – देर रात तक मेहनत करना
   Usage: I burned the midnight oil to complete my assignment.
8. In hot water – मुसीबत में
   Usage: He got in hot water for being late.
9. Under the weather – अस्वस्थ महसूस करना
   Usage: She is feeling under the weather today.
10. A drop in the ocean – बहुत छोटा हिस्सा
    Usage: Our donation was just a drop in the ocean.
11. Come rain or shine – किसी भी हालत में
    Usage: I will be there come rain or shine.
12. In a nutshell – संक्षेप में
    Usage: In a nutshell, he is a great person.
13. In black and white – स्पष्ट रूप से
    Usage: The contract was laid out in black and white.
14. To the letter – पूरी तरह से
    Usage: Follow the instructions to the letter.
15. Keep an eye on – ध्यान देना
    Usage: Please keep an eye on my bag.
16. On the same page – एक ही राय होना
    Usage: We need to be on the same page.
17. Under one’s nose – बिलकुल सामने
    Usage: The answer was right under your nose.
18. Out of the blue – अचानक
    Usage: She called me out of the blue.
19. Off the record – गैर-आधिकारिक
    Usage: This conversation is off the record.
20. In full swing – पूरी गति से
    Usage: The party was in full swing.
21. At the drop of a hat – बिना देर किए
    Usage: He helps me at the drop of a hat.
22. From scratch – शुरू से
    Usage: We built this house from scratch.
23. Over the moon – बहुत खुश
    Usage: She was over the moon with her results.
24. Out of the woods – मुश्किल से बाहर
    Usage: We are not out of the woods yet.
25. Break the ice – बातचीत शुरू करना
    Usage: He tried to break the ice with a joke.
26. In the nick of time – समय रहते
    Usage: They arrived in the nick of time.
27. Give someone a hand – मदद करना
    Usage: Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
28. Under the table – गुप्त रूप से
    Usage: They paid him under the table.
29. Back to square one – फिर से शुरू करना
    Usage: We are back to square one with this plan.
30. In the long run – लंबे समय में
    Usage: It will benefit us in the long run.
31. Cost an arm and a leg – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: That luxury car costs an arm and a leg.
32. Hit the nail on the head – बिल्कुल सही बात कहना
    Usage: You hit the nail on the head with your comment.
33. Pull someone’s leg – मजाक करना
    Usage: Don’t worry, I was just pulling your leg.
34. Cry over spilled milk – बीती बातों पर पछताना
    Usage: There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
35. Jump the gun – जल्दीबाजी करना
    Usage: He jumped the gun and answered too soon.
36. Spill the beans – राज खोलना
    Usage: She spilled the beans about the surprise party.
37. Go the extra mile – अतिरिक्त प्रयास करना
    Usage: She’s willing to go the extra mile to succeed.
38. Break the bank – बहुत खर्च करना
    Usage: Buying a new phone won’t break the bank.
39. Hit the books – पढ़ाई करना
    Usage: I need to hit the books before my exam.
40. Cut corners – काम में लापरवाही करना
    Usage: Don’t cut corners on safety.
41. Face the music – परिणाम भुगतना
    Usage: He had to face the music after breaking the rules.
42. Let the cat out of the bag – राज खोल देना
    Usage: He let the cat out of the bag about the trip.
43. Throw in the towel – हार मान लेना
    Usage: After several failures, he threw in the towel.
44. Bite off more than you can chew – अपनी क्षमता से अधिक करना
    Usage: Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
45. Call it a day – काम खत्म करना
    Usage: Let’s call it a day and go home.
46. Cut to the chase – मुद्दे पर आना
    Usage: Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the plan.
47. Drag one’s feet – जान-बूझकर देर करना
    Usage: The team is dragging their feet on the project.
48. Hit the jackpot – बड़ी सफलता प्राप्त करना
    Usage: She hit the jackpot with her new job.
49. Once in a blue moon – बहुत कम
    Usage: We meet only once in a blue moon.
50. A penny for your thoughts – तुम्हारे विचार क्या हैं?
    Usage: You look serious. A penny for your thoughts?
51. Beat around the bush – गोल-गोल बातें करना
    Usage: Stop beating around the bush and answer directly.
52. Break the ice – बातचीत शुरू करना
    Usage: He broke the ice by telling a joke.
53. Cost a pretty penny – बहुत महंगा होना
    Usage: This necklace cost a pretty penny.
54. Hang in there – धैर्य बनाए रखना
    Usage: Just hang in there; things will get better.
55. Kick the bucket – मर जाना
    Usage: Sadly, the old man kicked the bucket last week.
56. Out of the blue – अचानक
    Usage: She called me out of the blue.
57. Piece of the puzzle – समस्या का एक हिस्सा
    Usage: This clue is a piece of the puzzle.
58. The ball is in your court – अब तुम्हारी बारी है
    Usage: I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.
59. Throw caution to the wind – जोखिम लेना
    Usage: She threw caution to the wind and invested everything.
60. Through thick and thin – हर स्थिति में
    Usage: They stayed together through thick and thin.
61. Up in the air – अनिश्चित
    Usage: Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
62. When pigs fly – असंभव बात
    Usage: He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.
63. Cut to the chase – मुद्दे की बात करना
    Usage: Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue.
64. Make ends meet – गुज़ारा करना
    Usage: It’s hard to make ends meet on a low salary.
65. On cloud nine – अत्यधिक खुश होना
    Usage: She was on cloud nine after receiving the award.
66. Jump on the bandwagon – चलन में शामिल होना
    Usage: Many companies are jumping on the electric car bandwagon.
67. Bite off more than you can chew – क्षमता से अधिक कार्य लेना
    Usage: He bit off more than he could chew by accepting two jobs.
68. A storm in a teacup – छोटी बात का बतंगड़ बनाना
    Usage: Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
69. Caught red-handed – रंगे हाथों पकड़ना
    Usage: The thief was caught red-handed.
70. A blessing in disguise – छुपा हुआ वरदान
    Usage: His injury was a blessing in disguise as it led to a new career
71. Cry over spilled milk – बीती बात पर पछतावा करना
    Usage: It’s no use crying over spilled milk.
72. Face the music – परिणाम का सामना करना
    Usage: He had to face the music after breaking the rules.
73. Hit the nail on the head – बिल्कुल सही बात कहना
    Usage: You hit the nail on the head with your comment.
74. Let the cat out of the bag – राज़ खोल देना
    Usage: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
75. Throw in the towel – हार मान लेना
    Usage: After hours of struggle, he threw in the towel.
76. Break the ice – बातचीत की शुरुआत करना
    Usage: He broke the ice with a funny joke.
77. Cost an arm and a leg – बहुत महंगा पड़ना
    Usage: That luxury car cost an arm and a leg.
78. On the fence – असमंजस में होना
    Usage: She is still on the fence about joining the new company.
79. Under one’s nose – बिलकुल सामने
    Usage: The keys were right under his nose the whole time.
80. Hit the sack – सोने जाना
    Usage: I’m really tired; I’m going to hit the sack.
81. Spill the beans – राज़ खोल देना
    Usage: She accidentally spilled the beans about the wedding.
82. Pull someone’s leg – मज़ाक करना
    Usage: He loves to pull his friend’s leg.
83. Beat around the bush – बात को घुमाना
    Usage: Stop beating around the bush and answer my question.
84. Call it a day – काम खत्म करना
    Usage: Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.
85. The ball is in your court – अब आपकी बारी है
    Usage: I’ve done my part, now the ball is in your court.
86. Jump the gun – जल्दबाज़ी करना
    Usage: He jumped the gun and submitted the form too early.
87. Have a change of heart – मन बदल जाना
    Usage: She had a change of heart and canceled the trip.
88. Hit the roof – बहुत गुस्सा होना
    Usage: My dad hit the roof when I came home late.
89. Bite the bullet – हिम्मत से काम लेना
    Usage: I had to bite the bullet and visit the dentist.
90. Hold your horses – धैर्य रखना
    Usage: Hold your horses! The movie hasn’t started yet.
91. Cut to the chase – मुद्दे पर आना
    Usage: Let’s cut to the chase and finalize the deal.
92. Once in a blue moon – बहुत कम बार
    Usage: I eat junk food once in a blue moon.
93. A hot potato – विवादास्पद विषय
    Usage: The new policy is a hot potato in the office.
94. Kick the bucket – मर जाना
    Usage: The old man kicked the bucket last night.
95. Hit the books – पढ़ाई करना
    Usage: I need to hit the books before the exam.
96. Go the extra mile – अतिरिक्त प्रयास करना
    Usage: She always goes the extra mile to help others.
97. Burn the midnight oil – रात भर मेहनत करना
    Usage: He burned the midnight oil to complete the project.
98. Throw caution to the wind – लापरवाह होना
    Usage: He threw caution to the wind and invested all his savings.
99. Play it by ear – परिस्थिति के अनुसार कार्य करना
    Usage: We’ll play it by ear and decide later.
100. When pigs fly – असंभव घटना
     Usage: He’ll apologize when pigs fly.

Know About Idioms