29 English idioms
1. A dime a dozen
Hindi Equivalent: चार पैसे की चीज (Char paise ki cheez)
Pronunciation: Chaar piesay kee cheez
Meaning: Something very common and of little value.
English Example: "These cheap toys are a dime a dozen at the market."
Hindi Example: "ये सस्ते खिलौने बाजार में चार पैसे की चीज हैं।" (Ye saste khilone bazaar mein char paise ki cheez hain.)
Alternative: "Common as dirt" / ढेर सारा (Dher sara, pronounced: Dhair saraa)
2. Bite the bullet
Hindi Equivalent: दाँतों तले उंगली दबाना (Daanton tale ungli dabana)
Pronunciation: Daanton talay oonglee dabana
Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely.
English Example: "I decided to bite the bullet and finish the project overnight."
Hindi Example: "मैंने दाँतों तले उंगली दबाकर रात भर प्रोजेक्ट पूरा किया।" (Maine daanton tale ungli dabakar raat bhar project poora kiya.)
Alternative: "Grin and bear it" / हिम्मत करना (Himmat karna, pronounced: Himmat karna)
3. Break the ice
Hindi Equivalent: बात शुरू करना (Baat shuru karna)
Pronunciation: Baat shooroo karna
Meaning: To start a conversation in an awkward or tense situation.
English Example: "He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting."
Hindi Example: "उसने मीटिंग में बात शुरू करने के लिए एक चुटकुला सुनाया।" (Usne meeting mein baat shuru karne ke liye ek chutkula sunaya.)
Alternative: "Warm up the room" / माहौल हल्का करना (Mahoul halka karna, pronounced: Mahoul halka karna)
4. Burn the midnight oil
Hindi Equivalent: रात के तेल जलाना (Raat ke tel jalana)
Pronunciation: Raat kay tail jalana
Meaning: To work late into the night.
English Example: "She burned the midnight oil to prepare for the exam."
Hindi Example: "उसने परीक्षा की तैयारी के लिए रात के तेल जलाए।" (Usne pariksha ki taiyari ke liye raat ke tel jalaye.)
Alternative: "Pull an allnighter" / देर रात तक जागना (Der raat tak jagna, pronounced: Dair raat tak jaagna)
5. Caught redhanded
Hindi Equivalent: रंगे हाथों पकड़ा जाना (Range haathon pakda jana)
Pronunciation: Rangay haathon pakda jaana
Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong.
English Example: "The thief was caught redhanded stealing the wallet."
Hindi Example: "चोर को जेब काटते हुए रंगे हाथों पकड़ा गया।" (Chor ko jeb katte hue range haathon pakda gaya.)
Alternative: "Caught in the act" / मौके पर पकड़ना (Mauke par pakadna, pronounced: Maukay par pakadna)
6. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Hindi Equivalent: रूप से गुण मत आँकना (Roop se gun mat aankna)
Pronunciation: Roop say goon mat aankna
Meaning: Don’t judge someone or something by appearance alone.
English Example: "He looks rough, but don’t judge a book by its cover."
Hindi Example: "वह दिखने में सख्त है, लेकिन रूप से गुण मत आँकना।" (Vah dikhne mein sakht hai, lekin roop se gun mat aankna.)
Alternative: "Looks can be deceiving" / बाहर से मत परखना (Bahar se mat parakhna, pronounced: Bahar say mat parakhna)
7. Every cloud has a silver lining
Hindi Equivalent: हर काली रात के बाद सुबह होती है (Har kaali raat ke baad subah hoti hai)
Pronunciation: Har kaalee raat kay baad soobah hotee hai
Meaning: There’s something good in every bad situation.
English Example: "I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining—I found a better one."
Hindi Example: "मेरी नौकरी चली गई, पर हर काली रात के बाद सुबह होती है—मुझे बेहतर मिली।" (Meri naukri chali gayi, par har kaali raat ke baad subah hoti hai—mujhe behtar mili.)
Alternative: "Light at the end of the tunnel" / आशा की किरण (Aasha ki kiran, pronounced: Aasha kee kiran)
8. Hit the nail on the head
Hindi Equivalent: सही निशाने पर लगाना (Sahi nishane par lagana)
Pronunciation: Sahee nishaanay par lagaana
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
English Example: "You hit the nail on the head with your analysis."
Hindi Example: "तुमने अपने विश्लेषण से सही निशाने पर लगाया।" (Tumne apne vishleshan se sahi nishane par lagaya.)
Alternative: "Spot on" / बिल्कुल सही कहना (BilKul sahi kehna, pronounced: Bilkul sahee kehna)
9. Kick the bucket
Hindi Equivalent: चल बसना (Chal basna)
Pronunciation: Chal basna
Meaning: To die.
English Example: "He kicked the bucket after a long illness."
Hindi Example: "वह लंबी बीमारी के बाद चल बसा।" (Vah lambi bimari ke baad chal basa.)
Alternative: "Pass away" / प्राण त्यागना (Pran tyagna, pronounced: Praan tyaagna)
10. Let the cat out of the bag
Hindi Equivalent: भेद खोल देना (Bhed khol dena)
Pronunciation: Bhayd khol dayna
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
English Example: "She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."
Hindi Example: "उसने सरप्राइज पार्टी का भेद खोल दिया।" (Usne surprise party ka bhed khol diya.)
Alternative: "Spill the beans" / राज़ उजागर करना (Raaz ujagar karna, pronounced: Raaz oojagar karna)
11. Once in a blue moon
Hindi Equivalent: कभी कभार (Kabhi kabhar)
Pronunciation: Kabhee kabhaar
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
English Example: "He visits us once in a blue moon."
Hindi Example: "वह कभी कभार हमसे मिलने आता है।" (Vah kabhi kabhar humse milne aata hai.)
Alternative: "Rarely" / साल में एक बार (Saal mein ek baar, pronounced: Saal mein ek baar)
12. Piece of cake
Hindi Equivalent: आसान काम (Aasan kaam)
Pronunciation: Aasaan kaam
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
English Example: "The test was a piece of cake for her."
Hindi Example: "उसके लिए परीक्षा आसान काम थी।" (Uske liye pariksha aasan kaam thi.)
Alternative: "Child’s play" / बाएँ हाथ का खेल (Baen haath ka khel, pronounced: Baayn haath ka khail)
13. Raining cats and dogs
Hindi Equivalent: मूसलाधार बारिश होना (Musaldhaar barish hona)
Pronunciation: Moosaldhaar baarish hona
Meaning: Heavy rain.
English Example: "We got stuck because it was raining cats and dogs."
Hindi Example: "हम फंस गए क्योंकि मूसलाधार बारिश हो रही थी।" (Hum fans gaye kyunki musaldhaar barish ho rahi thi.)
Alternative: "Pouring rain" / तेज़ बारिश (Tez barish, pronounced: Tez baarish)
14. Spill the beans
Hindi Equivalent: राज़ खोल देना (Raaz khol dena)
Pronunciation: Raaz khol dayna
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
English Example: "Who spilled the beans about the plan?"
Hindi Example: "योजना का राज़ किसने खोल दिया?" (Yojana ka raaz kisne khol diya?)
Alternative: "Let the cat out of the bag" / भेद खोलना (Bhed kholna, pronounced: Bhayd kholna)
15. The ball is in your court
Hindi Equivalent: अब तुम्हारी बारी है (Ab tumhari baari hai)
Pronunciation: Ab toomhaaree baaree hai
Meaning: It’s your turn to take action.
English Example: "I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court."
Hindi Example: "मैंने अपना काम कर दिया, अब तुम्हारी बारी है।" (Maine apna kaam kar diya, ab tumhari baari hai.)
Alternative: "It’s up to you" / फैसला तुम्हारे हाथ में (Faisla tumhare haath mein, pronounced: Faisla toomhaaray haath mein)
16. Under the weather
Hindi Equivalent: तबीयत ठीक न होना (Tabiyat theek na hona)
Pronunciation: Tabeeyat theek na hona
Meaning: Feeling unwell or sick.
English Example: "She’s feeling under the weather today."
Hindi Example: "वह आज तबीयत ठीक न होने की वजह से परेशान है।" (Vah aaj tabiyat theek na hone ki wajah se pareshan hai.)
Alternative: "Feeling off" / बीमार सा लगना (Bimar sa lagna, pronounced: Beemaar sa lagna)
17. When pigs fly
Hindi Equivalent: जब सूरज पश्चिम से निकलेगा (Jab suraj paschim se niklega)
Pronunciation: Jab sooraj paschim say niklayga
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
English Example: "He’ll apologize when pigs fly."
Hindi Example: "वह माफी माँगेगा जब सूरज पश्चिम से निकलेगा।" (Vah maafi mangega jab suraj paschim se niklega.)
Alternative: "Over my dead body" / नामुमकिन (Namumkin, pronounced: Namoomkin)
18. Barking up the wrong tree
Hindi Equivalent: गलत रास्ते पर जाना (Galat raste par jana)
Pronunciation: Galat raastay par jaana
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place or asking the wrong person.
English Example: "If you think I can help with math, you’re barking up the wrong tree."
Hindi Example: "अगर तुम्हें लगता है कि मैं गणित में मदद कर सकता हूँ, तो तुम गलत रास्ते पर जा रहे हो।" (Agar tumhein lagta hai ki main ganit mein madad kar sakta hoon, to tum galat raste par ja rahe ho.)
Alternative: "Off the mark" / गलत जगह देखना (Galat jagah dekhna, pronounced: Galat jagah dekhna)
19. Beat around the bush
Hindi Equivalent: बात को घुमाना (Baat ko ghumana)
Pronunciation: Baat ko ghoomaana
Meaning: To avoid talking about something directly.
English Example: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth."
Hindi Example: "बात को घुमाना बंद करो और मुझे सच बताओ।" (Baat ko ghumana band karo aur mujhe sach batao.)
Alternative: "Get to the point" / सीधे कहना (Seedhe kehna, pronounced: Seedhay kehna)
20. Cry over spilled milk
Hindi Equivalent: रोए हुए दूध पर पछताना (Roye hue doodh par pachtana)
Pronunciation: Royay hooay doodh par pachtaana
Meaning: To regret something that cannot be changed.
English Example: "There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s move on."
Hindi Example: "रोए हुए दूध पर पछताने से क्या फायदा, चलो आगे बढ़ें।" (Roye hue doodh par pachtane se kya fayda, chalo aage badhein.)
Alternative: "Done Deal" / बीती बात पर अफसोस करना (Beeti baat par afsos karna, pronounced: Beetee baat par afsos karna)
21. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Hindi Equivalent: अंडे फूटने से पहले मुर्गियाँ मत गिनो (Ande phootne se pehle murgiyan mat gino)
Pronunciation: Anday phootnay say pehlay moorgeeyaan mat gino
Meaning: Don’t assume success before it happens.
English Example: "We haven’t won yet, so don’t count your chickens before they hatch."
Hindi Example: "हम अभी जीते नहीं हैं, अंडे फूटने से पहले मुर्गियाँ मत गिनो।" (Hum abhi jeete nahi hain, ande phootne se pehle murgiyan mat gino.)
Alternative: "Don’t jump the gun" / जल्दबाजी मत करो (Jaldbaazi mat karo, pronounced: Jaldbaazee mat karo)
22. Elephant in the room
Hindi Equivalent: सबके सामने की अनदेखी बात (Sabke samne ki andekhi baat)
Pronunciation: Sabkay samnay kee andaykhee baat
Meaning: An obvious problem everyone ignores.
English Example: "His failure was the elephant in the room during the meeting."
Hindi Example: "उसकी नाकामी मीटिंग में सबके सामने की अनदेखी बात थी।" (Uski nakami meeting mein sabke samne ki andekhi baat thi.)
Alternative: "Big issue" / छुपी हुई बड़ी बात (Chhupi hui badi baat, pronounced: Chhoopee hooee badee baat)
23. Jump on the bandwagon
Hindi Equivalent: भीड़ के साथ चलना (Bheed ke saath chalna)
Pronunciation: Bheed kay saath chalna
Meaning: To join others in doing something popular.
English Example: "Everyone jumped on the bandwagon and started using the new app."
Hindi Example: "सबने भीड़ के साथ चलकर नया ऐप इस्तेमाल करना शुरू कर दिया।" (Sabne bheed ke saath chalkar naya app istemal karna shuru kar diya.)
Alternative: "Follow the crowd" / चलन में शामिल होना (Chalan mein shamil hona, pronounced: Chalan mein shamil hona)
24. Kill two birds with one stone
Hindi Equivalent: एक तीर से दो निशाने लगाना (Ek teer se do nishane lagana)
Pronunciation: Ek teer say do nishaanay lagaana
Meaning: To achieve two things with one action.
English Example: "I killed two birds with one stone by shopping and meeting a friend."
Hindi Example: "मैंने खरीदारी और दोस्त से मिलकर एक तीर से दो निशाने लगाए।" (Maine kharidari aur dost se milkar ek teer se do nishane lagaye.)
Alternative: "Multitasking" / एक साथ दो काम करना (Ek saath do kaam karna, pronounced: Ek saath do kaam karna)
25. Miss the boat
Hindi Equivalent: मौका चूक जाना (Mauka chook jana)
Pronunciation: Mauka chook jaana
Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
English Example: "He missed the boat by not investing early."
Hindi Example: "उसने जल्दी निवेश न करके मौका चूक गया।" (Usne jaldi nivesh na karke mauka chook gaya.)
Alternative: "Too late" / समय निकल जाना (Samay nikal jana, pronounced: Samay nikal jaana)
26. On cloud nine
Hindi Equivalent: सातवें आसमान पर होना (Saatven aasman par hona)
Pronunciation: Saatvain aasmaan par hona
Meaning: To be extremely happy.
English Example: "She was on cloud nine after her promotion."
Hindi Example: "वह प्रमोशन के बाद सातवें आसमान पर थी।" (Vah promotion ke baad saatven aasman par thi.)
Alternative: "Over the moon" / बहुत खुश होना (Bahut khush hona, pronounced: Bahoot khoosh hona)
27. Pull someone’s leg
Hindi Equivalent: मज़ाक करना (Mazak karna)
Pronunciation: Mazaak karna
Meaning: To tease or joke with someone.
English Example: "I was just pulling your leg about failing the test."
Hindi Example: "मैं परीक्षा में फेल होने की बात पर बस मज़ाक कर रहा था।" (Main pariksha mein fail hone ki baat par bas mazak kar raha tha.)
Alternative: "Kidding around" / ठिठोली करना (Thitholi karna, pronounced: Thitholee karna)
28. See eye to eye
Hindi Equivalent: एक मत होना (Ek mat hona)
Pronunciation: Ek mat hona
Meaning: To agree with someone.
English Example: "We don’t see eye to eye on this issue."
Hindi Example: "हम इस मुद्दे पर एक मत नहीं हैं।" (Hum is mudde par ek mat nahi hain.)
Alternative: "On the same page" / सहमत होना (Sahmat hona, pronounced: Sahamat hona)
29. The early bird catches the worm
Hindi Equivalent: सुबह का भूला शाम को घर आया (Subah ka bhoola shaam ko ghar aaya)
Pronunciation: Soobah ka bhoola shaam ko ghar aaya
Meaning: Those who act early get the advantage (Note: Hindi version is slightly contextual).
English Example: "She got the best deal because the early bird catches the worm."
Hindi Example: "उसने सबसे अच्छा सौदा पाया क्योंकि सुबह का भूला शाम को घर आया।" (Usne sabse accha sauda paya kyunki subah ka bhoola shaam ko ghar aaya.)
Alternative: "First come, first served" / जल्दी करो फायदा पाओ (Jaldi karo fayda pao, pronounced: Jaldee karo faida paao)
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