29 English idioms
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29 English idioms |
1. Actions speak louder than words
Hindi Equivalent: काम बोलता है (Kaam bolta hai)
Pronunciation: Kaam bolta hai
Meaning: What you do matters more than what you say.
English Example: "He promised to help, but actions speak louder than words."
Hindi Example: "उसने मदद का वादा किया, पर काम बोलता है।" (Usne madad ka vaada kiya, par kaam bolta hai.)
Alternative: "Deeds over words" / बातों से नहीं काम से (Baaton se nahi kaam se, pronounced: Baaton say nahee kaam say)
2. Back to the drawing board
Hindi Equivalent: फिर से शुरू करना (Phir se shuru karna)
Pronunciation: Phir say shooroo karna
Meaning: To start over after a failure.
English Example: "The plan failed, so it’s back to the drawing board."
Hindi Example: "योजना फेल हो गई, अब फिर से शुरू करना पड़ेगा।" (Yojana fail ho gayi, ab phir se shuru karna padega.)
Alternative: "Start from scratch" / नये सिरे से शुरूआत (Naye sire se shuruaat, pronounced: Nayay siray say shoorooaat)
3. Bite off more than you can chew
Hindi Equivalent: अपनी औकात से ज्यादा लेना (Apni aukaat se zyada lena)
Pronunciation: Apnee aukaat say zyada layna
Meaning: To take on more than you can handle.
English Example: "He bit off more than he could chew with that project."
Hindi Example: "उसने उस प्रोजेक्ट में अपनी औकात से ज्यादा ले लिया।" (Usne us project mein apni aukaat se zyada le liya.)
Alternative: "Overreach" / हद से ज्यादा करना (Had se zyada karna, pronounced: Had say zyada karna)
4. Burn your bridges
Hindi Equivalent: पीछे के रास्ते बंद करना (Peeche ke raste band karna)
Pronunciation: Peechhay kay raastay band karna
Meaning: To ruin relationships or options for the future.
English Example: "She burned her bridges by quitting rudely."
Hindi Example: "उसने गुस्से में नौकरी छोड़कर पीछे के रास्ते बंद कर दिए।" (Usne gusse mein naukri chhodkar peeche ke raste band kar diye.)
Alternative: "Cut ties" / रिश्ते तोड़ना (Rishte todna, pronounced: Rishtay todna)
5. Cross that bridge when we come to it
Hindi Equivalent: वक्त आने पर देखेंगे (Waqt aane par dekhenge)
Pronunciation: Waqt aanay par dekhaingay
Meaning: Deal with a problem when it arises, not before.
English Example: "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Hindi Example: "वक्त आने पर देखेंगे, अभी चिंता मत करो।" (Waqt aane par dekhenge, abhi chinta mat karo.)
Alternative: "Deal with it later" / समय पर निपटाना (Samay par niptana, pronounced: Samay par niptaana)
6. Cut to the chase
Hindi Equivalent: सीधी बात करना (Seedhi baat karna)
Pronunciation: Seedhee baat karna
Meaning: Get to the point without wasting time.
English Example: "Let’s cut to the chase—what’s your offer?"
Hindi Example: "सीधी बात करो—तुम्हारा प्रस्ताव क्या है?" (Seedhi baat karo—tumhara prastaav kya hai?)
Alternative: "Get to it" / मुद्दे की बात कहना (Mudde ki baat kehna, pronounced: Moodday kee baat kehna)
7. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Hindi Equivalent: सारी उम्मीद एक जगह मत लगाओ (Saari ummeed ek jagah mat lagao)
Pronunciation: Saaree oommeed ek jagah mat lagao
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on one option.
English Example: "Invest wisely; don’t put all your eggs in one basket."
Hindi Example: "सोचसमझकर निवेश करो, सारी उम्मीद एक जगह मत लगाओ।" (Sochsamajhkar nivesh karo, saari ummeed ek jagah mat lagao.)
Alternative: "Spread the risk" / जोखिम बाँटना (Jokhim baantna, pronounced: Jokhim baantna)
8. Face the music
Hindi Equivalent: परिणाम भुगतना (Parinaam bhugatna)
Pronunciation: Parinaam bhoogatna
Meaning: To accept the consequences of your actions.
English Example: "He cheated and now has to face the music."
Hindi Example: "उसने धोखा दिया, अब उसे परिणाम भुगतना पड़ेगा।" (Usne dhoka diya, ab use parinaam bhugatna padega.)
Alternative: "Pay the price" / सजा पाना (Saza paana, pronounced: Saza paana)
9. Get a taste of your own medicine
Hindi Equivalent: जैसा करोगे वैसा भरोगे (Jaisa karoge waisa bharoge)
Pronunciation: Jaisa karogay waisa bharogay
Meaning: Experience what you’ve done to others.
English Example: "He bullied others and now gets a taste of his own medicine."
Hindi Example: "उसने दूसरों को तंग किया, अब जैसा करोगे वैसा भरोगे।" (Usne doosron ko tang kiya, ab jaisa karoge waisa bharoge.)
Alternative: "Karma" / अपने कर्मों का फल (Apne karmon ka phal, pronounced: Apnay karmon ka phal)
10. Give the benefit of the doubt
Hindi Equivalent: शक का फायदा देना (Shak ka fayda dena)
Pronunciation: Shak ka faida dayna
Meaning: To assume someone’s innocence until proven otherwise.
English Example: "I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt this time."
Hindi Example: "मैं उसे इस बार शक का फायदा दूंगा।" (Main use is baar shak ka fayda doonga.)
Alternative: "Assume the best" / भरोसा रखना (Bharosa rakhna, pronounced: Bharosa rakhna)
11. Hold your horses
Hindi Equivalent: थोड़ा रुक जाओ (Thoda ruk jao)
Pronunciation: Thoda rook jao
Meaning: Wait or slow down.
English Example: "Hold your horses; let’s think this through."
Hindi Example: "थोड़ा रुक जाओ, इसे सोच लें।" (Thoda ruk jao, ise soch len.)
Alternative: "Take it easy" / जल्दी मत करो (Jaldi mat karo, pronounced: Jaldee mat karo)
12. In the heat of the moment
Hindi Equivalent: गुस्से में (Gusse mein)
Pronunciation: Goosay mein
Meaning: Acting impulsively due to strong emotions.
English Example: "He said it in the heat of the moment."
Hindi Example: "उसने गुस्से में ये बात कह दी।" (Usne gusse mein ye baat keh di.)
Alternative: "Spur of the moment" / जोश में आकर (Josh mein aakar, pronounced: Josh mein aakar)
13. Jump the gun
Hindi Equivalent: जल्दबाजी करना (Jaldbaazi karna)
Pronunciation: Jaldbaazee karna
Meaning: To act too soon.
English Example: "She jumped the gun by announcing the news early."
Hindi Example: "उसने जल्दबाजी करके खबर पहले ही बता दी।" (Usne jaldbaazi karke khabar pehle hi bata di.)
Alternative: "Act prematurely" / समय से पहले करना (Samay se pehle karna, pronounced: Samay say pehlay karna)
14. Keep your chin up
Hindi Equivalent: हिम्मत मत हारो (Himmat mat haaro)
Pronunciation: Himmat mat haaro
Meaning: Stay positive despite difficulties.
English Example: "Keep your chin up; things will get better."
Hindi Example: "हिम्मत मत हारो, सब ठीक हो जाएगा।" (Himmat mat haaro, sab theek ho jayega.)
Alternative: "Stay strong" / हौसला रखो (Hausla rakhna, pronounced: Hausla rakhna)
15. Leave no stone unturned
Hindi Equivalent: कोई कसर न छोड़ना (Koi kasar na chhodna)
Pronunciation: Koi kasar na chhodna
Meaning: To try every possible way.
English Example: "They left no stone unturned to find the truth."
Hindi Example: "उन्होंने सच जानने के लिए कोई कसर न छोड़ी।" (Unhone sach jaanne ke liye koi kasar na chhodi.)
Alternative: "Do everything" / पूरा जोर लगाना (Poora zor lagana, pronounced: Poora zor lagaana)
16. Make a long story short
Hindi Equivalent: संक्षेप में कहना (Sankshep mein kehna)
Pronunciation: Sankshayp mein kehna
Meaning: To summarize briefly.
English Example: "To make a long story short, we won."
Hindi Example: "संक्षेप में कहें तो हम जीत गए।" (Sankshep mein kahen to hum jeet gaye.)
Alternative: "In a nutshell" / छोटे में बताना (Chhote mein batana, pronounced: Chhotay mein bataana)
17. Needle in a haystack
Hindi Equivalent: भूसे के ढेर में सुई (Bhoose ke dher mein sui)
Pronunciation: Bhoosay kay dhair mein sooee
Meaning: Something very hard to find.
English Example: "Finding her in this crowd is like a needle in a haystack."
Hindi Example: "इस भीड़ में उसे ढूंढना भूसे के ढेर में सुई ढूंढने जैसा है।" (Is bheed mein use dhoondhna bhoose ke dher mein sui dhoondhne jaisa hai.)
Alternative: "Rare find" / मुश्किल से मिलना (Mushkil se milna, pronounced: Mushkil say milna)
18. Out of the blue
Hindi Equivalent: अचानक से (Achaanak se)
Pronunciation: Achaanak say
Meaning: Unexpectedly.
English Example: "He called me out of the blue after years."
Hindi Example: "उसने सालों बाद अचानक से मुझे फोन किया।" (Usne salon baad achaanak se mujhe phone kiya.)
Alternative: "Suddenly" / बिना बताए (Bina bataye, pronounced: Bina bataayay)
19. Put your foot in your mouth
Hindi Equivalent: गलत बात कह देना (Galat baat keh dena)
Pronunciation: Galat baat keh dayna
Meaning: To say something embarrassing or wrong.
English Example: "I put my foot in my mouth by asking about her ex."
Hindi Example: "मैंने उसके पूर्व प्रेमी के बारे में पूछकर गलत बात कह दी।" (Maine uske purv premi ke baare mein poochhkar galat baat keh di.)
Alternative: "Speak out of turn" / अनापशनाप बोलना (Anaapshanaap bolna, pronounced: Anaap shanaap bolna)
20. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Hindi Equivalent: धीरेधीरे सब होता है (Dheeredheere sab hota hai)
Pronunciation: Dheeraydheeray sab hota hai
Meaning: Great things take time.
English Example: "Be patient; Rome wasn’t built in a day."
Hindi Example: "धैर्य रखो, धीरेधीरे सब होता है।" (Dhairy rakho, dheeredheere sab hota hai.)
Alternative: "Good things take time" / समय लगता है (Samay lagta hai, pronounced: Samay lagta hai)
21. Shoot yourself in the foot
Hindi Equivalent: अपने पैर पर कुल्हाड़ी मारना (Apne pair par kulhadi marna)
Pronunciation: Apnay pair par kulhaadee maarna
Meaning: To harm yourself through your own actions.
English Example: "He shot himself in the foot by lying to the boss."
Hindi Example: "उसने बॉस से झूठ बोलकर अपने पैर पर कुल्हाड़ी मार ली।" (Usne boss se jhooth bolkar apne pair par kulhadi maar li.)
Alternative: "Sabotage yourself" / अपनी हानि करना (Apni haani karna, pronounced: Apnee haanee karna)
22. Sit on the fence
Hindi Equivalent: दो नावों पर सवारी करना (Do naavon par sawari karna)
Pronunciation: Do naavon par sawaaree karna
Meaning: To avoid making a decision.
English Example: "Stop sitting on the fence and choose a side."
Hindi Example: "दो नावों पर सवारी करना बंद करो और एक तरफ चुनो।" (Do naavon par sawari karna band karo aur ek taraf chuno.)
Alternative: "Be indecisive" / फैसला न लेना (Faisla na lena, pronounced: Faisla na layna)
23. Take it with a grain of salt
Hindi Equivalent: पूरी तरह भरोसा मत करो (Poori tarah bharosa mat karo)
Pronunciation: Pooree tarah bharosa mat karo
Meaning: Don’t fully believe something.
English Example: "Take his advice with a grain of salt."
Hindi Example: "उसकी सलाह पर पूरी तरह भरोसा मत करो।" (Uski salah par poori tarah bharosa mat karo.)
Alternative: "Be skeptical" / आधाअधूरा यकीन करना (Aadhaadhoora yakin karna, pronounced: Aadha adhoora yakeen karna)
24. Throw in the towel
Hindi Equivalent: हार मान लेना (Haar maan lena)
Pronunciation: Haar maan layna
Meaning: To give up.
English Example: "After hours of trying, he threw in the towel."
Hindi Example: "घंटों कोशिश के बाद उसने हार मान ली।" (Ghanton koshish ke baad usne haar maan li.)
Alternative: "Give up" / छोड़ देना (Chhod dena, pronounced: Chhod dayna)
25. Turn a blind eye
Hindi Equivalent: अनदेखा करना (Andekha karna)
Pronunciation: Andaykha karna
Meaning: To ignore something deliberately.
English Example: "She turned a blind eye to his mistakes."
Hindi Example: "उसने उसकी गलतियों को अनदेखा कर दिया।" (Usne uski galtiyon ko andekha kar diya.)
Alternative: "Look the other way" / नज़रअंदाज़ करना (Nazarandaaz karna, pronounced: Nazarandaaz karna)
26. Up in the air
Hindi Equivalent: अनिश्चित होना (Anishchit hona)
Pronunciation: Anishchit hona
Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
English Example: "Our plans are still up in the air."
Hindi Example: "हमारी योजनाएँ अभी अनिश्चित हैं।" (Hamari yojanayen abhi anishchit hain.)
Alternative: "Hanging" / तय न होना (Tay na hona, pronounced: Tay na hona)
27. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Hindi Equivalent: दिल की बात ज़ाहिर करना (Dil ki baat zahir karna)
Pronunciation: Dil kee baat zaahir karna
Meaning: To openly show your emotions.
English Example: "He wears his heart on his sleeve and cries easily."
Hindi Example: "वह दिल की बात ज़ाहिर करता है और आसानी से रो पड़ता है।" (Vah dil ki baat zahir karta hai aur aasani se ro padta hai.)
Alternative: "Be open" / भावनाएँ दिखाना (Bhavnaayen dikhana, pronounced: Bhaavnaayen dikhaana)
28. You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Hindi Equivalent: दोनों हाथों में लड्डू नहीं हो सकते (Dono haathon mein laddu nahi ho sakte)
Pronunciation: Dono haathon mein laddoo nahee ho saktay
Meaning: You can’t have everything you want.
English Example: "You can’t have your cake and eat it too—choose one."
Hindi Example: "दोनों हाथों में लड्डू नहीं हो सकते, एक चुनो।" (Dono haathon mein laddu nahi ho sakte, ek chuno.)
Alternative: "Pick one" / सब कुछ नहीं मिलता (Sab kuch nahi milta, pronounced: Sab kuch nahee milta)
29. Your guess is as good as mine
Hindi Equivalent: मुझे भी नहीं पता (Mujhe bhi nahi pata)
Pronunciation: Moojhay bhee nahee paata
Meaning: I don’t know any more than you do.
English Example: "When will it rain? Your guess is as good as mine."
Hindi Example: "बारिश कब होगी? मुझे भी नहीं पता।" (Barish kab hogi? Mujhe bhi nahi pata.)
Alternative: "No clue" / कुछ नहीं कह सकते (Kuch nahi keh sakte, pronounced: Kooch nahee keh saktay)
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