Idioms and Phrases

RKM CLASSES ENGLISH LITERATURE 9015710708
RKM CLASSES
English By:- Ashish Sir
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Spoken English, Entrance English
A
take sth/sb into account
ध्यान दे ना, विचार करना
I hope my teacher will take into account the fact that I was ill just before the examination
when he evaluates my test paper.
get one's act together
बेहतर ढं ग से कायय करने के लिए तैयार होना, अपने आप को व्यिस्थित करना His new boss
has given him one month to get his act together, or he loses his job.
be out of action
काम न कर पाना, वििशता िश कायय न कर पाना I'm afraid I cannot tell you the account's
balance as the system is out of action.
be up in the air
अननस्चचत, उिझा हुआ, बाधित
The future of the project is up in the air as the management has failed to finalize the budget.
clear the air
ककसी मस्ु चकि से बाहर आना, सन्दे ह दरू करना
The government's attitude on the issue has remained ambivalent for some time, so today's
statement should clear the air considerably.
all in all
कुि लमिाकर, लमिाजुिाकर
She may not be brilliant, but all in all I think she did quite well in her exams.
from A to Z
पूर्त
य या, शुरू से अन्त तक
Steve Job's latest book tells the story of his life from A to Z.
take sb aback
अचस्भित कर दे ना, आचचययचककत होना, अिाक् हो जाना
We were all quite taken aback by his decision to retire from test cricket.
of one's own accord
थिेच्छा से अपनी मजी से
The managing director of the company didn't have to be asked to resign he went of his own
accord.
an Achilles' heel
कमजोरी
The corrupt minister is regarded as the government's Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
the acid test
अस्नन परीक्षा, कसौटी पर
The product looks great, but will people buy it? That's the acid test.
across the board
सिी चीजों में (यह phrase सिी चीजों को सस्भमलित करने के अिय में उपयोग होता है ।)
The improvement is seen across the board, with all divisions either recording profits or
reducing losses.
a man of action
कमयठ, सूत्रिार
The country needs a political leader who is a man of action.

come of age
पररपक्ि होना
After years of experimentation with colours and strokes, his painting has come of age.
alive and kicking (or alert or well)
जीिन्त शीि, जोश से पररपूर्य
She hadn't met her younger sister after her marriage, and was delighted to see her alive and
kicking at a social event last weekend.
all and sundry
आम आदमी
I don't want all and sundry to come to know about our differences.
alpha and omega
शरू
ु आत से अन्त तक
The strategy to control inflation remains the alpha and omega of the government's
economic policy.
run amok (or amuck)
जंगिी, असभ्य, उग्र, हहंसक
When the police arrived, they were confronted with a group of protestors running amuck in
the lanes of the old town.
up (raise) the ante
उन्ननत की ओर, खतरा मोि िेना
The government has upped the ante by refusing to negotiate with the ultras until a ceasefire
has been agreed.
have ants in one's pants
बेचन
ै होना
The young students just can't sit still; they must have ants in their pants.
apple of discord
झगडे की जड, वििाद का विषय
The right to host the World Cup cricket has become an apple of discord between the two
countries.
the apple of one's eye
आँखों का तारा, बहुत विय
She has three children, but her disabled son is the apple of her eye.
upset the apple-cart
खेि बबगाडना, काम खराब करना

We had planned to hold a get-together in the evening, but bad weather upset the apple-
cart.
seal (or stamp) of approval
मोहर िगाना, सहमनत दे ना
The government finally agreed to give the new pension policy its seal of approval.
keep sth/sb at arm's length
दरू ी बनाकर रखना
He always had the feeling that she was keeping him at arm's length.
the long arm of the law
कानून की ताकत, कानून की पहुँच
It is not easy for criminals to escape the long arm of the law in a developed country like this.
up in arms
विद्रोही
The employees were up in arms over the management's plan to discontinue five-day week
policy.
armed to the teeth
िडने को तैयार होना, पूरी तरह से तैयार
The alleged tax-defaulter was ready for all their questions, and armed to the teeth with
proof of his innocence.
have been around
तमाम अनुििों से युक्त, अस्थतत्ि में होना
There is nothing new about laptops- they've been around for years.
as and when
जब िी, जब किी
Most people in the city don't own a car - they just rent one as and when they need it.
in the ascendant
ििािशािी
He's very much in the ascendant in the film world.

under the auspices (or banner) of sb / sth
के सहयोग से
Financial aid is being provided to the country under the auspices of the World Bank.
have an axe to grind
थिािय, काम ननकािने का तरीका
He should not become the chairman of the committee as he has too many axes of his own
to grind.
the ABC of sth
सािारर् ज्ञान
He is keen to understand the ABC of making investments in a stock market.

above board
सबसे अधिक
The deal between the two parties was completely open and above board.
across the board
हर थतर पर और हर क्षेत्र के िोगों पर ििाि होना
The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions either increasing profits or
reducing losses.
give a good account of
अच्छा िदशयन करना
As he could not give a very good account of himself in the interview, the company didn't
offer him a good salary.
to take sth into account (or consideration)
विचार में िेना, ककसी िथतु पर ध्यान दे ना
I hope they take her age into account when they judge her work.
ad nauseum
बढा-चढा कर बात करना
She talks ad nauseam about how brilliant she was in her school days.
Adam's ale
पानी
If he feels tired, let him have a glass of Adam's ale from the tap.
give oneself airs
शेखी बघारना
She should not give herself the airs as she's no different from the rest of us.
alter ego
थियं का दस
ू रा रूप
Over the years the secretary has become the alter ego of his boss.
arm in arm
अत्यन्त नज़दीक होना
The party cancelled former MLA's candidature as he was arm in arm with the opposition.
make an ass of oneself
थियं को हँसी का पात्र बनाना
They made an ass of the new colleague at the office by giving him the wrong instructions.
have/hold all the aces
विजय की स्थिनत में होना
In the battle between chemical manufacturers and environmentalists, the activists seem to
hold all the aces.
ad hoc
कुछ विशेष समय के लिए, कुछ समय के लिए An ad hoc committee was formed to address
health insurance problems.
high on the/sb's agenda
अत्यन्त महत्त्िपर्
ू य होना, काययसच
ू ी में सबसे ऊपर
The government has realized the need for placing educational reforms at the top of its
agenda.
alma mater
लशक्षा संथिान
He was delighted when he was offered the position of professor of Economics at his alma
mater.
cast aspersions on
ककसी के चररत्र की आिोचना करना
His opponents never missed an opportunity to cast aspersions on his professionalism.

lead sb astray
गित राह हदखाना, पिभ्रष्ट करना
The interrogators in the case were led astray by false information from one of the
witnesses.
the avant-garde
किा के क्षेत्र में अग्रगामी, किा के क्षेत्र में नए एिं आिनु नक विचारों का ियोग करना / करने
िािा
Since early fifties, the trade fair has been a major showcase for the avant-garde.
about to (do sth)
कुछ कायय करने के नजदीक होने या करने ही िािा
I was about to leave for the college when somebody knocked on the door.
according to (sb or sth)
के अनुसार
According to the report, the crime rate in the city has gone down.
account for (sth)
कारर् बताना
The bad weather accounts for the low attendance at the rally.
after all
आखखरकार
You don't need to call him. After all, he never calls you.
all of a sudden
अचानक
All of a sudden it became dark and the rain started.

as a matter of fact
दरअसि
As a matter of fact, the couple has applied for a divorce.

as far as
जहाँ तक
As far as I know the movie has got excellent reviews from the film critics.
as for
से सभबस्न्ित
“As for me, I think I will accept the offer."

as long as
जब तक
"As long as you promise to be careful, you can work on my computer."

as soon as
जैसे ही, ज्यों ही
He got the job offer as soon as he finished his graduation.

as to
से सभबस्न्ित
"As to your query about accounts, I will present the required documents tomorrow."
as well
िी, जैसे िी
He plans to take a language course this summer as well.

as well as
के साि-साि, के अनतररक्त
"Please bring your tennis racket as well as two balls."

arrive in a body
एक दि रूप में आ जाना
Things became noisy when the workers entered the manager's office in a body.
as an aside
असभिावित हटप्पर्ी, ऐसी हटप्पर्ी जो इतने िीमे थिर में की जाए कक उसे कोई दस
ू रा सुन
न सके
At the marriage reception, he said as an aside, "The bride's dress is inappropriate for the
occasion."
blow-by-blow account
सारी घटना का िर्यन
The witness gave a blow-by-blow account of the incident.

in ages
िभबे समय से
Nobody has seen him work so hard in ages.

all up with sb
आशा से परे , ककसी के लिए सब कुछ खत्म होना
It is all up now with finding any survivors - they couldn't have survived so long in these
conditions.
all hell will let loose
अव्यिथिा, शोरगुि
Don't take him into the party fold or all hell will let loose.
as broad as it's long
ककसी िी तरीके से दे खने पर िैसा ही रहना
She could not decide which offer to accept -- she thought the choice was just about as broad
as it was long.
Exercise A
1. Below on the left are some idioms. Choose the correct meaning from the list on the
right:
A. be up in the air 1. closely allied

B. take sb aback 2. undecided
C. arm in arm 3. a detailed description of an event
D. blow-by-blow account 4. to surprise or shock someone
ABCD
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 3 2 1 4
(d) 1 2 4 3
For each of the following questions choose the one correct answer :
2. The government's attitude on the issue has remained ambivalent for some time, so
today's statement should........ .......considerably.
(a) take sth/ sb into account (b) come of age
(c) up the ante (d) clear the air
3. We had planned to hold a get-together in the evening, but bad weather.............
(a) upset the apple-cart (b) had an axe to grind
(c) gave us the airs (d) took something else into account
Tick the option that best explains the meaning of the idiom:
4. alma mater
(a) actually (b) the college or school that one attended
(c) for a very long time (d) For the special purpose
5. alter ego
(a) legitimate (b) increasingly successful
(c) constant companion (d) rebellious
Tick the idiom that best explains the following:
6. The person of whom one is extremely fond
(a) alpha and omega (b) the apple of one's eye
(c) alive and kicking (d) an Achilles' heel
7. Be out of control and act in a wild or dangerous manner
(a) come of age (b) keep sb/sth at arm's length
(c) have ants in one's pants (d) run amok
ANSWERS
1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (d)
B
be glad/happy/to see the back of sb/sth
ककसी के जाने पर खश
ु ी का अनुिि करना (नापसंद होने की िजह से )
The guest became an absolute pain for the hosts and they were really pleased to see the
back of him.
bend over backwards to do sth
पूरी ताकत से करना (कुछ पाने के लिए)
Banks are bending over backwards to provide facilities to the depositors.

be in a bad way
सख्त बीमार होना
After years of the recession, the economy of the country was in a bad way.
set (or start) the ball rolling
बातचीत शुरू करना
The supporters of the student leader got the ball rolling by shouting slogans in favour of his
candidature.
get/jump/leap on the bandwagon
आचरर् में होने की िजह से आन्दोिन में शालमि होना
Media is playing an important role in creating awareness on the issue and more and more
people are getting on the bandwagon to denounce cigarette smoking.
(not) bat an eye/ eyelash/ eyelid
है रानी न जताना, अविचलित रहना
When the Court pronounced the prisoner guilty of murder, the accused stood there without
batting an eyelid.
get out of bed on the wrong side/get up on the wrong side of the bed
बुरे लमजाज में होना
His behaviour with everyone is very bad today. It seems he got up on the wrong side of the
bed!
give sb a hell
बुरी तरीके से डाँटना
The boss gave them hell for not finishing the project in time.
give sb the benefit of the doubt
सन्दे ह का फायदा दे ना
Let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she's right.
be a bit much
अनुधचत होने की िजह से िोडा ज्यादा िगना
I think it's a bit much to expect a pace bowler to bowl more than 50 overs in one day.
turn a blind eye
जान-बूझकर ध्यान नहीं दे ना, नजरअन्दाज करना
The principal decided to turn a blind eye to the students' misconduct this time with a hope
that they won't do it again.
out of the blue
अनायास, अचानक, एकाएक
Then one day, completely out of the blue, the Maoists attacked the police post and caught
everyone off guard.
be above board
ननष्कपट होना, खि
ु े रूप से
No tricks, please. We want the deal to be completely above board.

push the boat out
आनन्द उठाना
After the completion of the exams, the students decided to push the boat out and have a
party.
a bone of contention
झगडे की जड
A serious bone of contention between the landowners and the developer was the
compensation price for the land.
have a bone to pick with sb
असुखद विषय स्जस पर बात करना जरूरी हो
The two reputed universities of the state have a bone to pick with each other over
reservation policy for admissions.
be in sb's good books
ककसी की कृपा का पात्र होना, ककसी की नजर में अच्छा होना The fact that she always
managed to be in the good books of the bosses surprised one and all.
the bottom line
ककसी ननष्कषय का महत्त्िपूर्य तथ्य
The bottom line is that pregnant women's health is at greater risk if they smoke.
get to the bottom of sth
ककसी हािात की सच्चाई ढूँढना
It is doubtful if political interference will allow the investigators to get to the bottom of the
case.
cross the bridge when one comes to it
समथया का समािान करना जब िो घटे , सही समय पर सही काम
"What will you do if you fail in this exam?" Answer: "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
be on the brink (or verge) of doing sth
ककसी कायय को करने के नजदीक होना
The company dismissed the reports that it was on the brink of selling its shares.
back to the drawing board
िापस योजना की स्थिनत में पहुँचना
The client rejected all our proposals, so we had to ask the consultant to take the project
back to the drawing board.
back to square one
िापस से शरू
ु आत पर पहुँचना, जहाँ से चिे कफर िहीं पहुँचना
The Government and the Central Bank spent years strengthening the nation's economy but
the slowdown shattered it, so we are back to square one.
by (or through) the back door
गित तरीके से
The opposition accused the government of signing the defence deal with the neighbouring
country through the back door.
take a back seat
ककसी कायय में पीछे हो जाना, गौर् थिान िेना
The founder of the company decided to take a back seat and let the board members run the
business.
bag and baggage
साजो-सामान के साि, बोररया-बबथतर के साि
Tired of their tantrums, the landlady asked her tenants to vacate the house, bag and
baggage, in a week's time.
a bag (bundle) of nerves
जल्दी घबराने िािा इन्सान
Before the interview, he was a bundle of nerves.

the ball is in sb's (your) court
फैसिा ककसी और के हाि में होना
His family and friends have requested him to apologise to his boss to save his job. The ball is
in his court now.
have a ball
अच्छा समय होना
It was a great weekend - we all had a ball.

a whole new ball game
हािातों में एक बडा बदिाि
After two genuine pace bowlers joined the team it was a whole new ball game.
banana republic
एक छोटा और गरीब दे श, बेईमान सरकार के साि, एक गरीब दे श, कमजोर सरकार के साि

जो विदे शी िन पर ननियर करती है
The citizens fear that the country will become a banana republic if the government fails to
curb corruption.
go bananas
अत्यधिक नाराज हो जाना, गुथसे में आगबबूिा होना
She'll go bananas if she sees the house in this condition.

bang on
आिा दजे का, पर्

ू तय या सही होना
You said the Congress will get 240 seats, didn't you? You were bang on.
go with a bang
उत्तेजना और सफिता के साि
We take part in the events organized by this group, because they go with a real bang
bark up the wrong tree
गित व्यस्क्त के पीछे पडना
It was a very sensitive case and yet for over one year the police kept barking up the wrong
tree.
back to basics
सािारर् और शरू
ु आती चीजों पर ध्यान दे ना
The President's economic package has failed to win the financial institutions' trust and he
will have to get back to basics.
with bated breath
इन्तजार करते हुए उत्तेस्जत या उत्सुक महसूस करना
The audience watched the circus artists' antics with bated breath.
pass (or hand) on the baton
ककसी महत्त्िपूर्य स्जभमेदारी को ककसी और को दे ना
The governor of the Central Bank resigns this month, passing on the baton to one of his
closest associates.
baying for blood
ककसी को हानन पहुँचाने की इच्छा रखना
The victims' families could be seen baying for blood of the assaulters during the trial.
hand (or keep) sb/sth at bay
ककसी िथतु या व्यस्क्त को हानन पहुँचाने से रोकना

The area was hit by a serious epidemic, but luckily he could keep himself at bay.
beat a hasty retreat
शीघ्रता से िापस जाना
The courier boy beat a hasty retreat when he heard the dog's furious barking from the back
of the house.
beat about (or around) the bush
सही मद्
ु दे पर न आना, घम
ु ा-कफरा कर बातें करना
You will have to learn to speak clearly about what you want. You won't get anywhere if you
keep beating about the bush.
work like a beaver
मेहनत और जोश से काम करना
Ahead of the festival, she worked like a beaver to clean out all the closets.
a bed of roses
आसान कायय, आराम की स्जन्दगी
She found that taking care of old parents was not a bed of roses.
make a beeline for
तीव्रता से और सीिे जाना
As soon as the employees heard about the news of scrapping of the bonus policy, they
made a beeline for the boss's office.
bell the cat
खतरनाक कायय करना
Someone has to bell the cat and tell the commissioner that his own son started the violence.
belle of the ball
ककसी पाटी की मुख्य महहिा आकषयर् होना
She wore a dress made by the country's most valued designer and could easily be picked up
as the belle of the ball that evening.
below the belt
अनुधचत आचरर् करना, अनैनतक कायय करना
Ahead of the elections, politicians won't hesitate to aim below the belt.
tighten one's belt
दे खकर खचय करना
Most people need to Tighten their belt during economic slowdown.

make the best of sth
सकारात्मक ढं ग से सोचने की कोलशश और कायय करना
He got admission in a college where he did not have any of his former friends with him but
he decided to make the best of it.
a safe bet
उधचत अनुमान, ऐसा विचार जो सही साबबत होने िािा हो
The party president decided that the 75-year-old sitting legislator was still a safe bet for re-
election.
better late than never
किी न होने से दे र से होना अच्छा है ।
All of us have been waiting for you for two hours but better late than never.
get (have) the better of sb
महान ् होना, विजयी होना
The boy from the small town was determined to have the better of his competitors.
better half (or part)
पनत/पत्नी
I think a two-bed flat would suit us but I'd better confirm it with my better half.
beyond a shadow of doubt
ननसन्दे ह
His guilt is now proved beyond a shadow of doubt.

bide one's time
सही समय का इन्तजार करना
The police officer sat quietly in front of the murderer's hiding place, biding his time.
a big cheese (fish/gun/shot)
महत्त्िपूर्य इन्सान
Apparently her father is a big cheese in one of the major banks.

big deal
बडा सौदा
Winning a scholarship is no big deal for him.

fit (or fill) the bill
पयायप्त होना/यिोधचत होना, उपयक्

ु त होना
The country hit by terrorism needs a strong leader, and the new Prime Minister just doesn't
fill the bill.
foot the bill
िुगतान करना
It was a splendid party and I was glad that I didn't have to foot that particular bill.
a bird in the hand
कुछ न होने से अच्छा है कुछ पास में होना
It may not be the best of jobs, but it's a bird in the hand and you should not give it up till you
can find a better one.
a bird's eye view
संक्षक्षप्त वििरर्
This book gives you a bird's eye view of the Indian industry since British times.
birds of a feather
एक जैस,े एक ही िािी के चट्टे -बट्टे
According to the surprising finding of the report, there is no guarantee that people who are
birds of a feather will prove to be good life partners.
bits and pieces
टुकडों में
After the accident, there were bits and pieces of the wreckage spread all over the road.
do one's bit
अपने हहथसे का काम करना या योगदान दे ना
When survival is the critical issue, everyone has to do one's bit.

bite the dust
िि
ू फाँकना, मर जाना
Five hundred more people lost their jobs when another IT firm bit the dust.
bite the hand that feeds one
अकृतज्ञ होना
The institution offered me a scholarship, so I shouldn't bite the hand that feeds me and
criticize its policies.
bite off more than one can chew
क्षमता से अधिक कायय करने की कोलशश करना
By accepting two part-time jobs, he is clearly biting off more than he can chew.
bite (or hold) one's tongue
उधचत समय न होने की िजह से अपने आप को कहने से रोकना, िार्ी पर संयम रखना The
lady officer has a very quick temper and often fails to bite her tongue in an argument.
the black sheep (of a family)
गद्दार, बदनाम व्यस्क्त
My cousin was the black sheep. Eventually, he migrated to the Middle East to avoid jail
here.
in black and white
लिखखत रूप में
He asked his old mother not to worry as the terms of the land agreement were spelled out
in black and white.
a blank cheque
पूर्य अधिकार
Several people expressed their concern when the Chairman desired to give the blank
cheque for the company's future in the hands of the 25-year-old director.
draw a blank
कुछ हाि न िगना
We've requested hundreds of private schools to join the 'low-cost education' campaign, but
so far we've drawn a blank.
a blast from the past
ऐसा कुछ जो आप को िूतकाि की याद हदिाए अचानक से
Watching that movie again was a real blast from the past.
blaze a trail
पि-िदशयन करना
The medical college has blazed a trail in developing new techniques for treating blindness.
a blessing in disguise
अित्यालशत िाि
Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him as it forced him to plunge into
business.
a blind alley
गनतरोि
The latest scientific theory may turn out to be a blind alley.

a blind date
दो िोगों का लमिना जो पहिे किी नहीं लमिे हों और एक रोमांचक ररचते की कोलशश करना
She agreed to go on a blind date with one of her friend's former boyfriend.
a blind spot
ककसी विषय को िेकर अनलिज्ञ या पक्षपाती होना
Languages are my blind spot-I always fumbled at Marathi.

in the blink (the twinkling) of an eye
तुरन्त, पिक झपकते
In the blink of an eye the robber disappeared from the bank with lakhs of rupees.
a new kid on the block
कोई, जो नई जगह और संथिा में आया है स्जसके सीखने के लिए बहुत कुछ हो
Realizing that he was the new kid on the block in his organization, he was determined to
prove himself.
blood, sweat and tears
िरसक ियास और पीडा

Our freedom is the result of over hundred years' of blood, sweat and tears.
have blood on one's hands
ककसी की हत्या का स्जभमेदार होना
The champions of these riots have the blood of many thousands of people on their hands.
in sb's blood
पैतक
ृ , खन
ू में होना
The whole family is good in business; it's in their blood.

new blood
जिान खन
ू
It's time the Prime Minister brings some new blood into the government.
there's bad blood between
वपछिे वििादों की िजह से नफरत होना
The villagers say the arson attack may have been the result of bad blood between the two
families.
blow hot and cold
किी दोथत, किी दचु मन होना
Her father kept blowing hot and cold about the idea of going abroad for education.
once in a blue moon
किी-किार
I don't know why I bought that music system-I use it once in a blue moon.
a blue-eyed boy
अधिकारी का विय होना / अधिकारी द्िारा िशालसत होना
He gets the charge of all the assignments except the finance, which is kept for the blue-eyed
boy.
take a leaf out of sb's life (or book)
दस
ू रे के उदाहरर् से िाि उठाना
You need to take a leaf out of your sir's book, and start coming to office in time.
get the boot (or axe)
ननकाि हदया जाना
The manager who was with the office for last 15 years was shocked when he got the boot
for a petty mistake.
living on borrowed time
अनम
ु ाननत समय से ज्यादा जीना, उिार की स्जन्दगी
The film star has got cancer and is living on borrowed time.
think outside the box
अिग सोचना
He has spent his life in performing a routine job and cannot be expected to think outside the
box.
sb's bread and butter
आजीविका
Teaching classic music to young boys and girls is her bread and butter.
break sb's back
कमर तोडना, कुचि दे ना, काम से िाद दे ना
You are talented and should refuse to break your back working for him for a salary of Rs
10,000 a month.
break new (or fresh) ground
कुछ पररितयनकारी करना
It is an interesting discovery which definitely breaks new ground in the country's energy
programme.
take sb's breath away
है रान कर दे ना
The beauty of the Taj Mahal took the tourists' breath away.
burn one's bridges
पीछे हटने की सभिािना खत्म करना, समझदारी से काम करना
He has already burned his bridges with his previous employer by publicly criticizing their
marketing policy.
a bright spark
हदमागदार और जीिन्तशीि (मजाक में )
Some bright spark at the bank has accidentally closed my account.

look on the bright side
बरु े िक्त में िी अच्छाई दे खना
Nothing is impossible for you if you learn to look on the bright side.
in broad daylight
हदन के दौरान, हदन-दहाडे
The man was shot at close range in broad daylight in front of his house.
big brother
अधिकारी / सरकार या बडी संथिा जो िोगों के जीिन के हर हहथसे को ननयस्न्त्रत करना
चाहते हैं और उनके बारे में जानना चाहते हैं
The industrialists have complained against the 'Big brother' approach of the government.
bear the brunt of sth
िहार अपने ऊपर िेना, आघात सहना
When the bank employees went on a strike, they did not realize they'd have to bear the
brunt of public anger when they go back to work.
the buck stops here (or with sb)
हािात के लिए स्जभमेदार होना
One does not need to blame anybody else for corruption in the country; the buck stops with
the leader of the government.
make a fast (or quick) buck
तेजी से पैसा कमाना
When Indians go abroad they often try to make a fast buck.

blind impulse
अननयस्न्त्रत जज्बात / इच्छा
Acting on what appeared to be a blind impulse, he submitted his resignation.

brownie points
श्रेय के लिए अंक
You're not going to get many brownie points for submitting a report like this.
burst at the seams
परू ा िरा होना
The cinema halls were bursting at the seams and they had to settle for spending the evening
at home only.
Exercise
right:
A. set the ball rolling 1. be full to capacity

B. burst at the seams 2. get something started
C. a bitter medicine 3. legitimate
D. be above board 4. hard thing to accept
ABCD
(a) 2 1 4 3
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 4 2 3 1
(d) 1 3 2 4
For each of the following questions choose the one correct answer:
2. The two reputed universities of the state……...with each other over reservation policy
for admissions
(a) have a bone to pick (b) get to the bottom of
(c) have a ball (d) bay for blood
3. Ahead of the festival, she ………………to clean out all the closets.
(a) made a beeline (b) worked like a beaver
(c) tightened their belt (d) filled the bill
4. get the boot
(a) expelled (b) put a lot of effort into doing sth
(c) do something innovative (d) imitate another person
5. bear the brunt of sth
(a) take the criticism (b) earn money quickly often illegally
(c) work long hours and hard (d) blame sb or make sb responsible for a problem
6. a position without hope of progress or success
(a) a blessing in disguise (b) have blood on one's hands
(c) rock the boat (d) a blind alley
7. Show ingratitude
(a) bite the hand that feeds one (b) bite (or hold) one's tongue
(c) draw a blank (d) bite off more than you can chew
Answers
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (a) 6. (d) 7. (a)
C
a can of worms
जहटि समथयाओं का वपटारा
No one wanted to be part of that project, realizing that it was a can of worms.
be on the cards
सभिावित
Some big changes in the organizational structure are on the cards for next year.
be on the case
ककसी खास काम पर िगे रहना
'We need to apply before registration is closed. 'Don't worry, I'm on the case, just leave it to
me.
stand a chance
सफिता की उभमीद, सभिािना होना
If funding by the government is withdrawn, small minority schools don't stand a chance.
not have a clue
कोई विचार न होना
I haven't a clue why he resigned.

at the crack of dawn
सिेरे-सिेरे
The police arrested the leader at the crack of dawn to avoid protests by his supporters.
not all it's cracked up to be
उतना अच्छा नहीं, स्जतना िोग कहते हैं।
The highly ranked institute isn't all it's cracked up to be.

at cross purposes
दो ऐसे उद्दे चय, जो एक दस

ू रे को ििावित करें
I fear the two government departments are working at cross purposes.

a piece of cake
आसान कायय
The interview proved to be a piece of cake.

sell like hot cakes
हािों-हाि बबकना या माँग में होना
That book sold like hot cakes, and had to be reprinted several times.
call the shots
स्थिनत पर ननयन्त्रर् होना
The Prime Minister tried his best to give the impression of being in control, but media
revealed that the party president called all the shots.
be in the can
उपयोग के लिए परू ी तरह से तैयार (खास कर कफल्म या ररकॉडेड मैटेररयि) About sixty per
cent of the film is in the can.
have a card (or an ace) up one's sleeve
गुप्त स्रोत, नछपा हुआ फायदा
Before we make a decision, let's see if the rivals have another card up their sleeve.
keep (or play) one's cards on the table
अपना इरादा थपष्ट करना
He thought it was time to put his cards on the table and tell his friend that he had no
intention of continuing with him in the partnership.
put (or lay) one's cards close to chest
नछपाकर रखना
I've no idea how many copies of my book have been sold; they keep their cards close to
their chests.
sweep sth under the carpet (or rug)
समथया को सुिझाने की बजाय उसको नछपाना

The district administration's attempts to sweep the scandal under the rug were not very
successful.
carrot and stick
ईनाम और सजा एक साि
The schools need to apply the carrot and stick approach effectively to discipline the young
students.
put the cart before the horse
सही तरीके से न करना
Don't put the cart before the horse by investing in a new house before selling your old one.
build castles in the air
हिाई ककिे बनाना
He keeps talking about his big-time ambitions, but it's all castles in the air.
fight like cat and dog
जानी दचु मनों की तरह िडना
Reduced profit margins have forced the retailers fight among themselves like cats and dogs.
let the cat out of the bag
रहथय बताना, ककसी रहथय को आम करना
Nobody in the market was supposed to know about our discount scheme, but the ad agency
seems to have let the cat out of the bag.
play cat and mouse with
उिझन पैदा करना, िुका-नछपी खेिना
It's just the latest trick in the eternal cat and mouse game between the police and the
underworld.
put (or set) the cat among the pigeons
दस
ू रों को मुसीबत में डािना
The news of introducing the six-day working set the cat among the pigeons and many
employees started looking for options outside.
a catch-22 situation
ऐसे हािात, स्जसमें जीत सभिि न हो, असमंजस की स्थिनत

Companies won't hire you if you don't have experience and you can't get any experience till
somebody hires you - it's a real catch-22 situation.
throw caution to the wind (or winds)
बबना परिाह ककए, बदपरहे जी करना
Throwing caution to the winds, he ran on the railway tracks to board the train.
a change of heart
विचार बदिना
The revised land policy shows a change of heart by the government.

charity begins at home
िमायिय कायय घर से शुरू होता है , सुिार का कायय थियं से शुरू होता है He spends the little
money that he earns on social work and neglects his own children, forgetting that charity
begins at home.
three cheers for
शुिकामनाएँ दे ना
Three cheers for our victorious team! Hip, hip, hooray!

get sth off one's chest
अपना अपराि मानकर अपने हदमाग को मक्

ु त करना
He admitted having taken the bribe and said he was glad to get it off his chest.
child's play
बहुत आसान कायय
Now that she was completely fit, playing in the world championship looked like child's play
for her.
keep one's chin up
अडडग रहना
Don't let the difficulties intimidate you; keep your chin up.
a chink in sb's armour
कमजोर जगह, कमजोर नस
He is a brilliant police officer but his lack of political awareness may be the chink in his
armour.
a chip off the old block
चररत्र, व्यिहार या दे खने में माँ-बाप के समान होना
Like her mother, she is a very good cook-a chip off the old block
when the chips are down
अत्यन्त जरूरी, अपने आपको कहठन पररस्थिनत में पाना जबकक कायय अनतआिचयक हो
He's the person you would like to have around when the chips are down.
Hobson's choice
कोई विकल्प न होना
It's Hobson's choice; because if I don't agree to follow them, I'll lose my job.
strike (touch) the chord (or note)
अहसास हदिाना, सही जगह पर छूना
That poem strikes a chord in all those affected by the wars.

come (or turn) full circle
पर्
ू य होना
After a year of debates on the Lokpal Bill, we have come full circle on the issue.
go round (or round and round) in circles
कोई हि न लमिना
In the absence of adequate data, the surveyors are just going round in circles.
claim to fame
ककसी व्यस्क्त / िथतु के िलसद्ि होने का कारर्
The town's main claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of the country's first home
minister.
a class act
जबरदथत िदशयन
The film that was hailed as a class act failed to become a big hit.
a clean sheet (or slate)
बबल्कुि शुरूआत से, कोरा

It is never too late in true relationships and one can always start with a clean slate.
come clean
सफाई पेश करना
Isn't it time that the government came clean about their plans on implementing Jan Lokpal
Bill?
make a clean breast of sth
अपना अपराि पर्

ू तय या थिीकार करना
Caught copying in the board examination, she decided to make a clean breast of it to her
parents.
make a clean sweep
जबरदथत ढं ग से जीतना
The analysts are predicting a clean sweep for the ruling party in the forthcoming elections.
clear the decks
कायय के लिए तैयार होना
An Indian oil company is clearing the decks for major new investment in Europe.
round the clock
हदन-रात, चौबीस घण्टे
The witness has been provided round the clock protection from the police.
put (or turn) the clock back
िापस उसी स्थिनत में करना
The Bill in the Parliament has put the clock back a hundred years.
a close shave (or call)
बाि-बाि बचना
He managed to jump from the burning train compartment in time, but it was a pretty close
shave.
too close for comfort
ज्यादा नजदीक होने पर िोगों को ियिीत करना
The party will have to rework its policies-- the last election result was too close for comfort.
behind closed doors
गोपनीयता के साि
The planning committee of the finance department always meets behind closed doors, lest
its deliberations become known prematurely.
a closed book
बन्द ककताब, स्जसके बारे में कुछ पता न चिे
I'm afraid modern mathematics will always be a closed book to me.

out of the closet
सबके सामने िाना / आना
It took him long before he came out of the closet and expressed his interest in the
telecommunications industry.
on cloud nine
सातिें आसमान पर
He's been on cloud nine since he heard the news of his promotion.
under a cloud
मस
ु ीबत में
The hotel industry is under a cloud at the moment after newspapers revealed that many
indulged in illegal activities.
a cock-and-bull story
मनगढन्त कहानी, ऊटपटांग बात
He started to tell some cock and bull story to the police about how he found a bag
containing Rs 20 lakh.
the other side of the coin
तथिीर का दस
ू रा पहिू
The other side of the coin is that fewer working hours will get you less salary.
to coin a phrase
नामकरर् करना
He was, to coin a phrase, as fast as a robot.

catch a cold
अिािकारी कारोबार, घाटा उठाना
Like most people who buy lottery tickets, he catches a cold from time-to-time.
cold comfort
झठ
ू ी तसल्िी
The mechanic said only the body of the car is damaged and not its machine, but I think that
will be cold comfort to him.
get cold feet
हहभमत टूटना
She got cold feet about joining an organization which was thousands of miles from her
home.
give sb cold shoulder
सही व्यिहार न करना, रूखा व्यिहार करना
After the news spread about his involvement in the scandal, the friends and relatives gave
him the cold shoulder and eventually he had to leave the place.
pour (or throw) cold water on
उभमीदों पर पानी फेर दे ना, ननराश कर दे ना
The reports on the outbreak of plague threw cold water on our plans to visit Surat.
be on a collision course
झगडे का कारर् होना
All diplomatic attempts have failed and the two nations appear to be on a collision course.
show one's (true) colours
अपना असिी रूप हदखाना
I counted on him but when I approached him for help he rather showed his colours by
declining to do anything for me.
a conspiracy of silence
गप्ु त उद्दे चय की खानतर चप

ु रहना
In the medical fraternity, there is a conspiracy of silence over incompetent practitioners.

to one's heart's content
मन की सन्तुस्ष्ट के लिए
The young children played in the rain to their hearts' content.

cool as a cucumber
िैयि
य ान, िीरज रखना
There she stood, cool as a cucumber and totally oblivious to the violence that had shattered
the very fabric of the society.
cut the cord
अनाधश्रत होना
In order to achieve true independence, developing countries must cut the cord and stop
asking for financial aid from the developed countries.
the corridors of power
उच्च थतर
As a personal assistant to the Chief Minister, he thought he'd get his foot inside the
corridors of power.
wrap sb in cotton wool
अधिक सरु क्षा दे ने की िजह से थितन्त्र न बनने दे ना, आिचयकता से अधिक ध्यान दे ना
The mother wrapped the child up in cotton wool as if it would protect him from all the
dangers of the world.
couch potato
टीिी दे खकर समय गँिाने िािा, बेकार के कायों में समय व्यतीत करने िािा
It is a matter of debate if couch potatoes are less intelligent than their brethren.
count one's chickens
बबना हुई घटनाओं पर योजनाएँ बनाना
I know you have ambitious plans for your entrepreneurial venture, but don't count your
chickens.
blow sb's cover
अनजाने में गुप्त पहचान बता दे ना
The don came to the marriage in a woman's dress and hoped no one would blow his cover.
cover one's tracks
नछपकर काम करना
The murderer covered his tracks by throwing the knife in the river and burving his landlady's
body.
a sacred cow
कोई रीनत-ररिाज या संथिा स्जसकी खि

ु े तौर पर आिोचना िस्जयत हो
The judiciary remains a sacred cow, despite increasing evidence that serious mistakes have
been made.
get cracking (or going)
तुरन्त जुटना
It's time we got cracking or we'll miss the first half of the movie.
on the crest of a wave
लशखर पर पहुँचना
The music band comprising engineering students is currently on the crest of a wave, with a
launch of new album it has planned for next year.
shed (or weep) crocodile tears
नकिी आँस,ू घडडयािी आँसू बहाना, हदखािा करना
Political leaders shed crocodile tears while indirectly supporting the wars.
come a cropper
औंिे मँुह धगरना, बबायद होना
He seemed to come a cropper shortly after his promotion as cabinet minister.

keep one's fingers crossed
चाहत पूरी होने की इच्छा रखना, ककसी चाहत को मन में रखना और सही समय की ितीक्षा
करना
I'm crossing my fingers that she clears the examination this year.
cross swords
बहस करना, वििाद में उिझना
At every meeting the two directors crossed swords.

be caught in the crossfire
दो पाटों के बीच में वपसना
When parents fight over trifles, their children are often caught in the crossfire.
crowning glory
अनतउत्तम जीत / शानदार जीत
The crowning glory of his career came nine years later when the Royal Swedish Academy
awarded Chandrasekhar the Nobel Prize for his works on Physics.
when (or if) it comes to the crunch
जरूरत का समय
It's always the same - he promises help, but as soon as it comes to the point he invents
excuses.
in full cry (or swing)
कमर कसकर विरोि करने पर उतारू
After the strike it would be some time before production gets into full cry.
crystal clear
पर्
ू तय या थिच्छ, बहुत ही सरि, शीशे की तरह साफ
The instructions for preparing the dish are crystal clear.

take up the cudgels
जबरदथत िाद-वििाद से सहमनत या असहमनत जताना
Environmental groups have taken up the cudgels against multinational companies.

on cue
अन्दाजे अनुसार होना
Just when I was wondering where she could be, then, right on cue, she appeared.
take one's cue from
दस
ू रे का अनस
ु रर् करना, दस
ू रे से सीखना
I'm not good in western dance, so I'll take my cue from you.
off-the-cuff
बबना ककसी तैयारी के बबना सोचे-समझे
He has a habit of making off-the-cuff remarks which he later denies.

not one's cup of tea
थिादानुसार न होना, है लसयत के अनुसार नहीं होना
I decided not to go to the restaurant with them, because eating spicy food isn't my cup of
tea.
curry favour
चापिस
ू ी से फायदा उठाना
The government has promised to increase quota in universities in an attempt to curry favour
with the voters.
cut both ways
अच्छा और बुरा दोनों तरह का ििाि छोडना
Watching TV cuts both ways; it makes people know what is really going on, but it also makes
them addicts.
cut corners
गित तरीके अपनाना
It is certainly not a sensible move to cut corners with national security.

cut sb down to size
विनम्र करना, ककसी को उसकी क्षमता समझाना
The young manager is so arrogant-I wish someone would cut him down to size.
cut your coat according to your cloth
स्जतनी चादर है उतने पैर पसारना, ढािना, क्षमता के अनुसार कायय करना
Of course, we'd love a luxurious car, but you have to cut your coat according to your cloth.
call sb names
गािी दे ना, अपशब्द बोिना
She was afraid that if she wore spectacles to her school, the other kids would call her
names.
carte blanche
खि
ु ी छूट
The super star had carte blanche when it came to choosing which actors he wanted to work
with.
rain cats and dogs
मूसिािार बाररश होना
It was raining cats and dogs so I couldn't reach office in time.

catch sb napping
पकडे जाना
The government was really caught napping the day the farmers started their land agitation.
make common cause with sb
लमिकर एक चाह बना िेना
Environment protesters have made common cause with local people to stop the setting up
of cement plant on fertile land.
cave in
धगरना, ढहना, ध्िथत होना
Torrential rain led to caving in of the dilapidated house.

chime in with sth
हािातानस
ु ार, समयानस
ु ार (समय के अनरू
ु प )
His views on the issue chime in with the newspaper columnist's stand.
feet of clay
ऐसा अिगुर् / कमजोरी होना (स्जसका िोगों को पता न हो)
Some of the greatest people in history had feet of clay.

coin (or mint) money
बेहहसाब पैसा कमाना
With a monopoly in urban as well as rural markets the company could coin money.
come to grief
पर्
ू तय या असफि होना
It would be a great pity to see all that sincere work come to grief.
come to pass (or come about)
घहटत होना, होना

The forest dwellers have been demanding a police post for many years, but I don't think it
will ever come to pass.
cool one's heels
ितीक्षा करना, राह दे खना, बाट जोहना
The Gandhian leader's supporters were left to cool their heels overnight at a police station.
keep one's own counsel
कोई हटप्पर्ी न करना, अपना विचार ककसी के िी सामने िकट नहीं करना
Our boss is notorious for keeping her own counsel; you never know what she has in her
mind.
in due course
यिासमय, उधचत समय पर
The students will receive the exams notification in due course.

as the crow flies
छोटे राथते से
It's only three km to Central Place as the crow flies, but it's all of 12 km if the Delhi Gate
Road is closed and one has to drive round the Pusa Road.
cry wolf
अकारर् शोर मचाना
As the Chief Minister has cried wolf too often, the Centre has stopped taking its notice.
cut and thrust
जबरदथत िनतथपिाय, अन्िी िनतयोधगता
He realized very soon that he wasn't suited to the cut and thrust approach of modern
journalism.
be in the cahoots
गुप्त या अपमानजनक हहथसेदारी, गुट में
It has been suspected that several cabinet ministers were in the cahoots with big business
houses.
the calm before the storm
तूफान से पहिे का सन्नाटा

The family's meeting on property dispute begins today and I'm just sitting down with a cup
of coffee, enjoying the calm before the storm.
the casting couch
काम के बदिे अिैि सभबन्िों की माँग िचिन में होना, विशेषतः कफल्मों में
The casting couch is probably not the only route to secure roles for talented young
actresses.
the chattering classes
लशक्षक्षत िगय जो राजनीनतक और सामास्जक विषयों पर लसफय (केिि) बात करना पसन्द करते
हैं
Corruption by ministers has recently become a trendy topic among the chattering classes.
chicken-hearted
कायर, डरपोक
These chicken-hearted bosses always seem to give in at the first sign of a strike.
a clarion call
आगाज, आिाहन
The social leader's clarion call for more donations has given rise to a prompt response.
cloak-and-dagger
गुप्त
Do we need to go for cloak-and-dagger way? Why can't we just meet in a café like everyone
else?
be in a clover
समद्
ृ ि होना
After we earn a million in the stock market, we'll hopefully be in a clover.

come again
कफर से कहना
Come again? I can't believe you said that

come what may
चाहे कुछ िी हो जाए

It's good to know that, come what may, our job is safe.
jump to a conclusion
ननष्कषय पर पहुँचना, जल्दबाजी में नतीजे पर पहुँचना
Wait till we get the report; don't jump to a conclusion.

to the core
सभपर्
ू य रूप से, बबल्कुि परू ी तरह से
It is beyond doubt that police force is rotten to the core, involved in numerous extortion
schemes.
from the cradle to the grave
जन्म से अन्त तक, जन्म से मरर् तक
his health plan provides protection from the cradle to grave.

the creme de la creme
अनतउत्तम, सियश्रेष्ठ
Our college's music band is acknowledged as the creme de la creme.

cut-and-dried
बबल्कुि तैयार
Although most parties have agreed on the deal, it is cut-and-dried.

not yet
cash in (on sth)
िाि उठाना
This is a good year for investing in metals, and you can cash in on it if you're smart.
have one's head in the clouds
अनलिज्ञ होना
Most of the time he is having his head in the clouds. He must be in some deep trouble.
cold comfort
झठ
ू ी तसल्िी
We know that there are several others who are worse off than us, but that's no cold
comfort.
Exercise
right:
A. come to a pretty pass 1. develop into an unfortunate situation

B. be in a clover 2. likely to happen
C. be on the cards 3. in a situation when one cannot win
D. a catch-22 situation 4. prosperous
ABCD
(a) 4 3 2 1
(b) 3 1 4 3
(c) 2 4 3 1
(d) 1 4 2 3
2. The news of introducing the six-day working days..............and many employees started
looking for options outside.
(a) got it off his chest
(c) struck a chord
(b) threw caution to the wind
(d) set the cat among the pigeons
3. The reports on the outbreak of plague.............on our plans to visit Surat.
(a) threw cold water (c) cut the cord (d) blew our cover
(b) got cold feet
4. get cracking
(a) follow the lead of another (b) be very successful
(c) start working (d) show sadness that is not sincere
5. take up the cudgels
(a) Conceal one's whereabouts
(b) come to ruin
(c) seek to gain advantage by flattery
(d) argue strongly in support or against sb or sth

6. adapt to one's circumstances
(a) cut sb down to size (b) cut one's coat according to one's cloth
(c) cut corners (d) cut both ways
7. obliged to wait
(a) cool one's heels (b) cry wolf
(c) be in the cahoots (d) be in a clover
Answers
1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (a)
D
not give a damn
उदासीन होना, कोई िनतकिया न होना, कोई परिाह नहीं करना
Most industrial houses don't give a damn about the environment.

be in the dark
अनलिज्ञ, अनजान
We're still in the dark about the company's layoff policy.

wouldn't be caught / seen dead
कोई िेना-दे ना न होना
He'd not be seen dead playing cards in clubs.

frighten/scare sb to death
डरा दे ना
A shadow appeared in the doorway and scared me to death.

be in deep water
ियंकर मुसीबत में होना
We're going to be in deep water if the bank refuses to sanction our loan.
jump in at the deep end
बबना तैयारी के काम शरू

ु करना
He is jumping in at the deep end, acting as strike bowler in his first match this year on the
English pitches.
be out of one's depth
ककसी हािात से सुिझने का ज्ञान न होना, ककसी कायय को करने की क्षमता का नहीं होना
The audience realized that making comedy movies was out of the depth of this director.
make all the difference
कुछ कर गुजरना, पररर्ाम को बदिने की क्षमता/ या बदिना
Working with a nice bunch of people can make all the difference to your job.
get one's feet in the door
पहिे पडाि पर सफि होना, ककसी िी कायय से आरभि करना
I know it's not the job you'd hoped for, but at least you can use it to get your foot in the
door.
on sb's doorstep
बबल्कुि नजदीक, दरिाजे पर दथतक दे ना
The second round of the US economic slowdown is literally at our doorstep.

down-to-earth
िाथतविक, व्यािहाररक
She is a very down-to-earth person, not at all attracted by the glamour world
wouldn't dream of doing sth
कुछ करने की न सोचना, कल्पना िी नहीं करना
Even if it were lying on my desk, I wouldn't dream of taking another person's money.
at daggers drawn
जानी दचु मन, िडने को तैयार
The two neighbouring countries have several times been at daggers drawn over mineral
extraction.
a damp squib
टांय-टांय कफस
The party turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Half the people who'd been invited didn't
turn up.
put a (or the) damper (or dampener)
ननराश करना, िािा पहुँचाना
The violence before the round table conference is bound to put the dampers on the peace
talks.
dance to sb's tune
दस
ू रे के कहने पर चिना
Powerful businessmen seem to have the district officials dancing to their tune.
a dark horse
नया खखिाडी, छुपा रुथतम
You never can tell-some dark horse may come along and win Rajya Sabha seat.
keep sb in the dark
िोखे में रखना
They kept me in the dark about their plans.

a shot (stab) in the dark
अँिेरे में तीन मारना, बबना ककसी सूचना के अन्दाजा िगाना
The whole theory about life on Mars is a shot in the dark - no one takes it seriously.
all in a day's work
सािारर् हदनचयाय के सिी कायय
We worked in heavy rains to restore all the power lines, but it's all in a day's work.
call it a day
सन्यास िेना, काम रोक दे ने का ननर्यय करना
After second heart attack, he decided it would be best to follow his doctor's advice and call
it a day.
carry (or win) the day
सफि होना, जीतना, विजयी होना
The opposition carried the day in the debate over the judge's impeachment.
day in, day out
हर रोज, कई हदनों तक िगातार
Life can become very boring if you do the same work day in, day out.
day of reckoning
बुरे हािात से ननपटने का समय
Taking out a further loan to pay your debts will only postpone the day of reckoning.
dead and buried (or gone)
उपयोग में नहीं
I won't rest until nepotism is dead and buried in this country.

over my dead body
मेरी िाश पर, ककसी िी हािात में नहीं
If they go ahead with their plan to cut down those trees, they'll have to do so over my dead
body.
fall on deaf ears
सुनाई न दे ना, ध्यान नहीं दे ना
Warnings that chewing tobacco can lead to mouth cancer have largely fallen on deaf ears.
a raw (rough) deal
अनुधचत व्यिहार, रूखा व्यिहार
He got a very raw deal in terms of his father's will: everything was left to his sister.
deliver the goods
काम परू ा करना, काम पर हदखाना
So far the team's new player has failed to deliver the goods. He failed to open his account in
his first three games.
have designs on sb/sth
थिाियननहहत षडयन्त्र करना
I think he has designs on my property.

between the devil and the deep blue sea
आगे कुआँ पीछे खाई, दोनों ओर परे शानी
Trying to please both his boss and his wife puts him between a rock and a hard place.
give the devil his due
शत्रु के साि िी न्यायपूर्य आचरर्
I don't like what the new management has done, but give the devil his due, sales have
improved.
die hard
कहठनाई से िार् ननकिना, मुस्चकि से छूटना
Ancient traditions die hard in rural India.

die in harness or (die with one's boots on)
सहसा मौत का लशकार होना, काम करते-करते लसिार जाना
He doesn't want to retire - He'd rather die with his boots on.
the die is cast
अस्न्तम फैसिा हो चक
ु ा है
Now that I've announced my resignation, the die is cast.

never say die
हहभमत मत हारो
There are still a couple of job agencies that you haven't tried. Never say die.
dig the dirt
ककसी के बारे में ननन्दनीय सच

ू ना लमिना / दे ना
No effort is being spared to dig up dirt on the rival candidate.

dig in one's heels
मानने से इनकार करना, सख्त होना
We suggested it would be quicker to fly, but she dug her heels in and insisted on travelling
by a train.
dig one's own grave
अपनी कब्र खद
ु खोदना, मुसीबत मोि िेना
If he continues to behave like this to his boss, he'll be digging his own grave.
a dime a dozen
िोक के िाि में
Movies based on political violence are a dime a dozen.

by dint of
के कारर्, के द्िारा
She got what she wanted by dint of requesting and threatening.

treat sb like dirt
बुरा बतायि करना / नफरत हदखाना
Her boss treats all his employees like dirt.

do or die
करो या मरो
It was a do or die batting by the tail-enders that won the game.

divide and rule
फूट डािो और शासन करो
They used divide and rule tactics to weaken their opponents.

do's and don'ts
कायय विशेष के ननयम
It pays to know the do's and don'ts of diplomatic meetings in advance.

in the dock
जाँच पर विशेषतया आपराधिक मामिे में , कटघरे में
The accused stood in the dock unruffled throughout the day.

dog eat dog
ननदय यी व्यापार, िनतथपिाय का पररिेश
In the dog eat dog world out there it pays to know who one's real friends are.
dog in the manger
कबाब में हड्डी
Stop being such a dog in the manger and let your brother play your guitar if you're not using
it.
a dog's life
दख
ु ी अस्थतत्ि, बदतर जीिन
He's been leading a dog's life since his suspension from the company.
dog tired
क्िांत, बहुत िक गया

He usually got home around midnight, dog tired after a hectic day in the office.
go to the dogs
अक्सर अधिक या उपेक्षा के माध्यम के द्िारा, बबायद कर दे ना
They sat in the bar the night before the election, moaning that the country was going to the
dogs.
throw sb to the wolves (or dogs or lions)
पीडा सहन करने के लिए अकेिा छोड दे ना (अपने आप को बचाने के लिए )
If the candidate fails to win the election this time, the party will throw him to the wolves.
done for
बबायद, गया काम से, बेकार हो जाना
This old computer is just about done for.

done in
कुछ करने की हाित में न होना ( िकान की िजह से )
She was done in by the time she reached the office.

till/until doomsday
िभबे समय के लिए / काफी समय तक आखखरी मौके तक
You could try to convince them till/until doomsday, but they will not drop their demands.
show sb the door
बाहर ननकािना
I told the bank official that I wasn't interested in his scheme and he showed me the door.
on your doorstep
नज़दीक जगह
The great thing is we've got all the local amenities right on our doorstep.
dot the i's and cross the t's
साििानीपि
ू क
य और सटीक हो, पर्
ू य रूप से जाँचना परखना
I had dotted all the i's and crossed the t's, so I wondered why my application was rejected.
a doubting Thomas
आदतन संहदनि व्यस्क्त
He's such a doubting Thomas that he wont' believe unless he sees things through his eyes.
down and out
दीन-हीन व्यस्क्त
After losing his job, he was left down and out.

in the driving (or driver's) seat
काबू में होना
The availability of a wide range of products has made the consumer sit in the driving seat.
at the drop of a hat
तुरन्त
We now have a situation where laws are bent at the drop of a hat.
drop sb a line
संक्षक्षप्त वििरर् छोडना, जानकारी छोडना
If you've got a few minutes to spare you could always drop her a line.
a drop in the ocean
ऊँट के मँुह में जीरा
A hundred thousand may seem a lot but it's a drop in the ocean compared to the millions
that need to be spent.
lame duck
हदिालिया, ननिायधचत अधिकारी, असक्षम
You can't expect a lame duck President to get much accomplished.

take to sth like a duck to water
काम जल्दी करना और उसका आनन्द उठाना सीखना
He's taken to his new school like a duck to water.

play ducks and drakes with
अपने थिािय के लिए

He lost his job for playing ducks and drakes with the company's funds.
down in the dumps
दख
ु ी, उदासी िरा
As the things were not going well for her at work, she was feeling a bit down in the dumps.
de jure
कानन
ू न, विधितः, कानन
ू ी तौर पर The President aims to create a de jure one-party state.
de facto
तथ्यतः िथतत
ु ः
English is de facto the common language of much of the world today.

at death's door
अस्न्तम समय के ननकट
Owing to coming up of malls and super markets every other day in the town the old
neighbourhood store is at death's door.
on demand
माँग पर माँगने पर
She's always ready to sing on demand.

devil-may-care
िापरिाह
The opening batsman's devil-may-care approach may ruin his chances of securing a
permanent place in the team.
a rough diamond
अद्िुत शस्क्तिािा इन्सान
He is intelligent and trustworthy but lacks sophistication-he's a rough diamond.

dirt cheap
कौडडयों के मोि
It's quite a useful book, but luckily I could buy it dirt cheap at a junk shop.
at a discount
छूट पर, कटौती पर

I'm holding off on buying a computer until I can get one at a discount.
well-to-do
खश
ु हाि, िनी, सभपन्न
In the capital's well-to-do suburbs, hiring a security guard ! is become a must for every
family.
throw dust in sb's eyes
आँखों में िि
ू झोंकना, िोखा दे ना
The secretary of the film actress threw dust in the reporters' eyes talking about a flight at
the airport when she was heading for the expressway.
be a dab hand
विशेषज्ञ, ननपुर्, कुशि
Try a piece of this idli and you'll agree she is a dab hand at making South Indian dishes.
a dead end
अन्िनाि, बन्दगिी, अस्न्तम लसरा ..
The interlocutors have reached a dead end in their attempts to find a peaceful solution to
the imbroglio..
turn a deaf ear
अनसुनी करना, ध्यान न दे ना
A government that consistently turns a deaf ear to the clearly articulated demands of its
electors must sooner or later expect to hear a very loud protest indeed.
toll (or sound) the death knell
पतन कर दे ना
The closure of the local car factory tolled the death knell for the town.
déjà vu
पूिायनुिि, पहिे न घहटत के घटने का आिास
She suddenly had a strong sense of deja vu.

in dire straits
आधियक तंगी से गुजरना
The earthquake and the drought left the region in dire straits for a long time.
wash one's dirty linen in public
दस
ू रों के सामने घरे िू झगडा करना. आपसी मतिेदों को दस
ू रों के सामने िाना
He decided not to take the family dispute to court as he feared it would only lead to a lot of
washing of dirty linen in public.
be in doldrums
सथ
A cut in interest rates on housing loans can lift the property market out of the doldrums.
on the dot
सही समय पर
We were asked to be there at five on the dot.

a double whammy
दो बुरी चीजें एक साि होना, दोहरा नुकसान
Media claims the cuts in public spending coupled with a pay freeze is a double whammy for
low-paid workers.
drop a bombshell
असभिावित और परे शान करने िािी घोषर्ा
My sister dropped a bombshell discontinuing her study for a job.

By announcing she was dribs and drabs
छोटी, अननयलमत मात्रा में
The checks for the charity are coming in dribs and drabs.
in high dudgeon
विरोि करना
After the scuffle, the man who was insulted left in high dudgeon.
get one's just deserts
(अपने ककए का फि पाना, करनी का फि
After the supervisor was suspended, many workers felt that he got his just deserts.
deal with
पेश आना, बतायि करना, चचाय करना

We will have to plan our strategy to deal with the rising incidents of theft.
deliver the goods
काम पूरा करके हदखाना
They are bright young executives with bright ideas, but it is doubtful if can they deliver the
goods.
do the trick
अपना उद्दे चय परू ा करना
If nothing seems to be working, just pray to the God-sometimes that does the trick
Exercise
right:
A. not give a damn 1. no longer in use

B. dead and buried 2. insignificant amount
C. in the dock 3. on trial
D. a drop in the ocean 4. experiencing difficult financial conditions
E. in dire straits 5. be indifferent to
ABCDE
(a) 1 2 4 3 5
(b) 5 1 3 2 4
(c) 5 4 3 2 1
(d) 2 4 3 1 5
2. After the supervisor was suspended, many workers felt that he………………
(a) did the trick (b) got his just deserts
(c) dropped a bombshell (d) delivered the goods
3. The closure of the local car factory ................ for the town.
(a) tolled the death knell (b) dropped a bombshell
(c) was in doldrums (d) threw dust in people' eyes
4. The earthquake and the drought left the region............. for a long time.
(a) in dribs and drabs (b) on the dot
(c) in the driver's seat (d) in dire straits
5. The government has been Parliament on land acquisition.

(a) drawing the line (b) playing lame duck
(c) dragging its feet in bringing up a bill in the (d) showing the farmers door
6. If he continues to behave like this to his boss, he'll be ........
(a) treating others like dirt (b) digging his own grave
(c) digging the dirt (d) dying in harness
Answers
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (c) 6. (b)
E
play sth by ear
सुिारना
Rather than adopting a new academic strategy, the principal decided to play it by ear.
it's early yet
ननर्यय िेने में , जल्दबाजी करना
The new measures seem to have worked, but it's early days yet and the RBI Governor would
rather not make any comment about the country's economy.
easier said than done
करने से कहना आसान है , कहना सरि है करना मस्ु चकि
The doctor advised me to stop smoking but it is easier said than done.
take the edge off sth
ििाि कम करना
His apology took the edge off her anger.

at the end of the day
आखखरकार, आखखर में
At the end of the day, what matters is that you're safe.

be at the end of one's tether
ननरुपाय, उपाय रहहत, असहाय
If that loan doesn't come through, we'll be at the end of our rope.
not be the end of the world
गभिीर हदक्कत का सामना न करना, आखखरी अिसर नहीं होना / दनु नया खत्म नहीं होना
If you don't pass this test, it won't be the end of the world.
make (both) ends meet
(अपनी आय में ) ननिायह करना, गुजारा करना

My salary was so paltry that I had to take a second job just to make ends meet.
put (or take) sth down to experience
ककए गए बुरे कामों से परे शान हुए बबना उससे सीखना
We should not allow failures to discourage us. Instead, we should just take them down to
experience.
keep your eye on
ननगरानी करना
The teacher has his eye on the boys in the last row.
see eye-to-eye
एक-दस
ू रे से सहमत होना
We see eye-to-eye on most important issues.

couldn't believe one's eyes
विचिास न कर पाना
She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her physically challenged child trying to walk
independently.
an eye-opener
चौंकाने िािा सत्य
The first sentence of his speech was a real eye opener.

an eager beaver
मेहनती और काम के लिए उत्सुक
My friend is a real eager beaver, always volunteering for new assignments.

be all ears
ध्यान िगाकर सुनना
'Do you want to know what happened in the meeting yesterday?' 'Oh yes, I'm all ears.'
have sb's ears
ककसी का ध्यान हालसि करना, विशेषतया तरफदारी िािा
As I don't' have the boss's ear anymore, it would be difficult for me this time to help you
out.
shave (or keep) one's ear to the ground
हर गनतविधि पर नजर रखना
I'll keep an ear to the ground and tell you if I come to know of any vacancies.
early bird
सब
ु ह जल्दी उठने िािा
It is no use calling him before 11.30 in the morning - he's not exactly an early bird, you
know.
easy come, easy go
स्जतनी आसानी से लमिना, उतनी आसानी से खो जाना
Easy come, easy go-that's how it is for him when he invests in the stock market.
go easy on sb
विनम्रता से व्यिहार करना और कडी सजा न दे ना The police decided they'd better go easy
on him since he was only 15.
take it easy
सहजता से थिीकार करना
Despite heavy defeat, the coach advised the payers to take it easy.
eat your heart out
शोक मनाना, दख
ु ी होना
I have written probably the best detective novel - eat your heart out, Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle!
make sb eat one's words
जबरदथती से मनिाना कक जो पहिे कहा िा िह गित िा
She had told me that I'd never be able to give up smoking, but I made her eat her words.
what's eating sb
जब कोई गथ
ु से में हो तो उससे कुछ पछ
ू ना क्योंकक तम
ु जानना चाहते हो, धचन्ता का कारर्
पूछना
When I noticed that she wasn't joining in the conversation I asked her what's eating her.
at a low ebb
दःु ख में , ननराशा की स्थिनत में रहना
He was at a low ebb for several months after his parents' death in the train accident.
take the edge of sth
ििाि कम करना
Her polite behaviour took the edge off her refusal.

have an egg on one's face
अपने कायय की िजह से बेिकूफ हदखना
If he does not stop asking personal questions, he'll end up with egg on his face.
give sb the elbow
ननकििा दे ना, छोड दे ना
They could be seen everywhere together for over a month and then he gave her the elbow.
be in one's element
अपने अनक ु ू ि िातािरर् में रहना, अपने िाथतविक थिरूप में होना He is in his element
writing poems in his study.
at the eleventh hour
ऐन मौके पर, अस्न्तम समय पर
Negotiators reached an agreement at the eleventh hour, just in time to avoid a strike.
at the end of the road
समाप्त होने की स्थिनत में , आखखरी पडाि पर
After losing his title in last night's fight, the former heavyweight champion knows that this
could be the end of the road.
no end
बहुत ज्यादा
He helped me no end.
enough is enough
बहुत हो गया (क्योंकक अब और सहन नहीं होगा)
No more speeches-enough is enough.

push the envelope
जो सािारर्तया होता है उससे आगे बढकर पररितयन करना
The new colours of the winter clothing indicate that the millers have pushed the envelope.
be first among equals
ककसी समह
ू के दस
ू रे सदथयों की तरह होते हुए कुछ ज्यादा स्जभमेदारी के साि होना या
िागीदारी ननिाना
The chief accountant was always considered first among equals in the bank.
be of the essence
सफिता के लिए अत्यन्त महत्त्िपूर्य होना
In defence department, secrecy is of the essence.

an even break
अिसर लमिने पर हािात सुिारना
The new probationary officer just needs to get an even break so that he could scale the
ladder very quickly.
get even with
हहसाब चक
ु ता करना, बदिा िेना
The suspended member swore he'd get even with the party chief for humiliating him.
be in the eye of the storm
ज्यादा तकय-वितकय करना स्जससे िोगों को हदक्कतें बढे
The country's secret agencies were in the eye of the storm when suddenly war broke out.
be all eyes
उत्सक
ु तापि
ू क
य दे खना
We were all eyes as the President gave the civilian awards on the Independence Day..
have an ear for sth
अच्छा ज्ञान होना
She's never had much of an ear for music.

keep an eye out (or open) for sb/sth
ध्यान से दे खना और आ जाना, ककसी चीज के लिए सतकय रहना

Keep an eye out for the potholes in the road.

keep your eyes open
सतकय होना / रहना
We should keep our eyes open for a shift in the consumers' preferences.
open one's eyes
आँखे खोिना
The visit of an African nation opened her eyes to the difficulties faced by under-developed
nations.
shut (or close) one's eyes to
नजरअन्दाज करना
The Prime Minister can't just shut his eyes to the problems and hope that they'll go away.
raise a few eyebrows
है रान करना, ध्यान आकवषयत करना The huge fee demanded by the actress raised a few
eyebrows in the film world.
lend (or give) an ear
सन
ु ना, ध्यान दे ना
If you have any problem, go to the HR manager. She'll always lend a sympathetic ear.
be ill at ease
उत्सुक होना, शलमिंदगी महसूस करना, असहज महसूस करना He always felt a little ill at ease
with new students in the class.
eat one's heart out
शोक मनाना, दःु खी होना
She is still eating her heart out after being fired from the company last year.
to egg on
(ककसी को) उकसाना, बढािा दे ना, िेररत करना
We got frightened as he egged on the driver to increase the speed of the office cab.
have all one's eggs in one basket
अपना सबकुछ एक ही बार दाि पर िगा दे ना

If you're planning to invest in the land, it will not be safe for you to have all your eggs in one
basket.
en masse
एकसाि, एक साि
They resigned en masse to force the management agree to their demands.

en route
मागय में , राथते में
We can discuss the script of the play en route.

rise to the occasion
मौके पर खद
ु को योनय साबबत करना
It was not easy to play one's first match in front of a crowd that size but he certainly rose to
the occasion.
every now and then (or again)
समय-समय पर, िायः
We take long walks every now and then.

live on the edge
ककसी खतरनाक गनतविधि में शालमि होना
You should consider making racing as your profession only if you enjoy living on the edge.
an enfant terrible
िगातार अविय, बागी
S Sreesanth, the enfant terrible of Indian cricket, was in trouble again for arguing with the
players of opposition team on the field.
et al
और अन्य
We cannot compare Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar with greatest fast bowlers of the
world like Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding et al.
catch sb's eye
ककसी की नजर में आना
There was a wide variety of shoes to choose from, but none of them really caught my eye.
end up (doing sth or going somewhere)
पहुँचना, समाप्त करना, अन्ततः करना
We ended up going to a restaurant after the movie last night.
Exercise
right:
A. take the edge off sth 1. agree

B. see eye to eye 2. reduce the impact
C. be all ears 3. depressed
D. at a low ebb 4. be the most important thing
E. be of the essence 5. eager to hear something
2. en masse
(a) provoke (b) all together
(c) on or along the way (d) involved
3. et al
(a) and others (b) interested (c) lost (d) without
4. to egg on
(a) make fun of (b) make depressed (c) make angry (d) urge ahead
5. be in the eye of the storm
(a) involved in argument (b) try hard
(c) fail in one's effort (d) steal the show
6. push the envelope
(a) give bribe (b) be innovative
(c) assign the work to sb else (d) settle a score
Answers
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (b)
F
face to face
आमने-सामने, सभमुख, रू-ब-रू
I'd prefer to solve this problem face to face rather than over the phone
make/pull a face
मँह
ु टे ढा करना, मँह
ु बनाना, धचढाना
The principal told the students to stop making faces at the ne teacher.
the facts of life
जीिन की सच्चाई
Some people believe the facts of life should not be taught in schools.
not have the faintest idea
बबल्कुि अन्जान होना
I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about.

lull sb into a false sense of security
झूठी सुरक्षा िािना महसूस कराना
The market which was rising steadily since January lulled investors into a false sense of
security.
so far so good
यहाँ तक मामिा सन्तुस्ष्ट दे ने िािा रहा, जब तक सही हो
The first round of talks went well. So far so good. The next stage of talks will revolve around
more difficult issues.
put one's feet up
आराम करना
After a day of hectic activity, I'm in a mood to put my feet up.

be a figment of one's imagination
काल्पननक
I thought I saw someone at the door, but it could be just a figment of my imagination.
cut it/things fine
बहुत दे र करना
He always cuts it fine, landing in the office at the last minute.

not lift a finger
मद्द से इनकार करना, कुछ िी नहीं करना
After retirement, he spends most of his time lying on the sofa and watching TV, and never
lifts a finger to help others.
put your finger on sth
सही कारर् का पता िगाना कक ऐसा क्यों है
Something is wrong in our operations, but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.
first come, first served
पहिे आओ पहिे पाओ
As a very large number of people are likely to turn up for food, we will have to go for "first
come, first served" approach.
at first glance/sight
पहिी नजर में
The system is more dependable than it appears at first glance.

go with the flow (or tide)
िारा के साि बहना, जैसा िचिन हो िैसा आचरर् करना, जैसा दे श िैसा िेष He is not a
great believer in being original; he just goes with the tide.
a fly on the wall
अदृचय अििोकन करना
I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he reveals the secret of his promotion to his wife.
get/start off on the wrong foot
गित शरू
ु आत करना
The peace mission has started off on the wrong foot by not consulting local people.
put one's foot down
बबल्कुि मना कर दे ना
You can't just let your children do what they want; you'll have to put your foot down
sometimes.
put one's foot in it
बडी िूि करना
I didn't know it was a private meeting; I guess I put my foot in it.

bear fruit
सफि होना
His hard work for years is now beginning to bear fruit.

make fun of sb/sth
मजाक उडाना
At first the students made fun of her because she spoke with American accent.
face the music
ककए का पररर्ाम िुगतना
When the missing mobile phone was found from his bag, he chose to disappear rather than
face the music.
lose face
नाक कटना
He lost face when his assistant was promoted and he had to take her orders.
save face
िाज रखना
The government decision to oust the accused minister was simply a face-saving exercise.
fall short of sth
कमी होना / पडना
His expertise fell short of the required standard.

a false dawn
छिािा
Her victory in the All England Open Badminton Championship proved to be a false dawn
after she failed to win another title for the next three years.
in the family way
गियिती, गिय िारर् ककए होना
Now that our editor is in the family way again, she will be out of office for some time.
fast and furious
जीिंत और उत्साहपर्
ू य
The storm advanced fast and furious.

play fast and loose
खखििाड करना, छि करना, अविचिसनीय होना
Like many other TV serial-makers, he plays fast and loose with the historical facts.
life in the fast lane
ऐशो आराम की स्जन्दगी
After moving to Singapore last year, they found that life in the fast lane can be very
stressful.
seal sb's fate
िविष्य ननिायररत
His father's illness sealed his fate. He had to discontinue his studies and take up a job.
like father, like son
पीढी-दर-पीढी एक जैसा
He decided to give away half of his income to charity-like father, like son.
a feather in one's cap
िसन्न मन से, खश
ु ी से
The UN body's success in persuading the terrorists to release the women hostages was a
real feather in its cap.
sit on the fence
दवु ििा में होना / अिग-ििग रहना
The senior leader of the party criticized his colleagues for sitting on the fence and failing to
make a useful contribution to the debate.
few and far between
बहुत कम
Supporters of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha are few and far between.
be as fit as a iddle
पर्
ू य थिथि होना
The coach of our football team is nearing sixty but he's as fit as a fiddle.
play second fiddle
ननचिा थिान ग्रहर् करना, दोयम दजे पर होना, अनुसरर् करना
Although more qualified than her husband, she had to always play second fiddle to him.
not give (or care) a fig (or damn)
बबल्कुि ध्यान न दे ना
I don't give a fig to what they say about my decision.

fight a losing battle
ऐसा यद्
ु ि िडना स्जसमें हार ननस्चचत हो, हारा हुआ यद्
ु ि िडना
He's fighting a losing battle against cancer.

fight shy of
को टािना
He fought shy of taking part in the debate.

fill sb's shoes (or boots)
ककसी और की स्जभमेदाररयों या कत्तयव्यों को विशेषतया संतुस्ष्ट से अपना िेना
It'll be hard to find someone to fill his shoes when he calls it a day.
find one's feet
पैर जमाना, ककसी नई जगह मनोबि बढाना
It's important to give new employees a chance to find their feet.

be all fingers and thumbs
गिनतयाँ करते रहना
She was all fingers and thumbs when she saw her former boyfriend at the party.
burn one's fingers
िुगतान (ककसी कायय के दख

ु द पररर्ाम की िजह से ). हानन उठाना
Many investors burn their fingers when they are tempted get-rich-quick schemes.
By have a finger in every pie
हर मामिे में शालमि होना (ििाि डािना)
He's is not liked much by his colleagues as he wants to have a finger in every pie.
lay a finger (or hand) on sb/sth
हानन पहुँचाना
In fact, I did not lay a finger on her. She fell down as the floor is slippery.
point the finger
दोष िगाना / मढना
Most economy experts now point the finger at the government for failing to upgrade the
country's infrastructure.
at one's fingertips
आसानी से उपिब्ि
He was so deeply attached with the project that he had all the details at his fingertips.
breathe fire
आग उगििाना, बहुत गुथसा करना
The party boss was breathing fire over the spokesperson's statement to media a few days
ago.
catch fire
आग पकड िेना, िजज्िलित होना
His hunger strike over corruption in the government has caught fire all over the country.
fire in the belly
जोशीिा
He will face the disciplinary committee with plenty of fire in his belly.
first things first
पहिी चीज पहिे
I would love to watch the new movie, but first things first-the exams begin tomorrow.
a big fish in a small pond
योनयतानुसार काम न होना
He has medical degree from a US university and yet is content with his practice in a rural
hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in a small pond.
fish in troubled waters
जोखखम उठाना, खतरों से खेिना या खतरा उठाना
At a time when the markets in the world are in turmoil, he has started buying stocks. He
enjoys fishing in troubled waters.
a fish out of water
असुवििाजनक, असुखद
All the other children in the school had rich, middle-class parents, and she was beginning to
feel like a fish out of water.
by fits and starts
अननयलमत रूप से
She has been working on her master's thesis in fits and starts; she needs to continue her job
as well.
an old flame
पुरानी िेलमका या पुराना िेमी
I met an old flame of yours at the party on Saturday.

flash in the pan
कुछ समय के लिए, बस एक बार
We hope this change in the management's attitude is forever, and not just a flash in the
pan.
fall flat
असफि होना, कोई ििाि नहीं डािना
His jokes are so repetitive that they always fall flat-no one is amused.
flex one's muscles
ताकत का हदखािा करना

The recent arrests in the city indicate the new police commissioner has decided to flex his
muscles.
flog (or beat) a dead horse
मुदे में जान डािने की कोलशश करना
Do you think it's worth sending my manuscript to other publishers or I am just beating a
dead horse?
in full flow
जोर-शोर से
The preparations for the Olympic Games are now in full flow.
fly high
सफि होना
The small-town company was flying high after its 15 per cent shares were bought by the
world's leading company in the field.
with flying colours
आसानी से सफितापूिक
य
She took her university entrance exam in December and passed out with flying colours.
follow suit
अनुकरर् करना
Once the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court declared his assets, the others had to follow
suit.
food for thought
सारगलियत विचार, अच्छी िेरर्ा
An interesting suggestion of a student gave the Vice-Chancellor and other officials of the
university food for thought.
Exercise
1. Below on the left are some idioms. Choose the correct meaning from the list on the right:
A. put one's feet up 1. refrain from offering help

B. not lift a finger 2. swiftly
C. put your foot down 3. relax
D. face the music 4. accept criticism for one's wrong
E. fast and furious 5. firmly refuse

ABCDE
(a) 1 2 3 4 5
(b) 3 1 5 4 2
(c) 2 4 1 3 5
(d) 4 5 2 13
2. be recklessly irresponsible
(a) make a far cry (B) play fast and loose
(c) save face (D) sit on the fence
3. an accomplishment a person can be proud of
(a) a feather in one's cap (b) bear fruit
(c) a fly on the wall (d) a figment of one's imagination
4. take advantage of some disturbance
(a) catch fire (b) breathe fire
(c) burn one's fingers (d) fish in troubled waters
5. sharp reprimand
(a) fine kettle (b) flea in the ear
(d) a false alarm (c) a flip-flop
6. a quick temper
(a) A short fuse (b) up front
(c) fine kettle of fish (d) come under fire
Answers
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (a)
G
give the game away
रहथय का पदायफाश करना
We had secretly bought a gift for her birthday but one of our friends gave the game away.
give up the ghost
ियास / कोलशश करना बन्द कर दे ना
She'd been trying to get into films for ten years without success and was just about to give
up the ghost.
give it a shot/whirl
करने की कोलशश करना
I've never cooked non-vegetarian food but I'll give it a whirl.

give-and-take
आपसी समझ-बूझ रखना, आपसी समझौता
You can't always insist on your own way there has to be some give-and-take.
give as good as one gets
अच्छे से िापस दे ना, अच्छे से जिाब दे ना
When you are an immigrant working with a lot of locals, you have to be able to give as good
as you get.
go against the grain
िकृनत के विरुद्ि होना (ककसी व्यस्क्त की इच्छाओं के विपरीत होना
Having to work late nights really goes against my grain.

take sb/sth for granted
यूँ ही िेना, ज्यादा मायने न दे ना
The editors felt that the publisher was taking them for granted.
grin and bear it
कष्ट को हँसते खेिते सहन करना

He lost all his savings in the stock market crash, but quickly realised that there was nothing
that he can do except grin and bear it.
come/get to grips with sth
ककसी समथया को समझने और सुिझाने की कोलशश करना
It's further proof of the government's failure to get to grips with two of the most important
social issues of our time.
suit sb down to the ground
आसानी से कर पाना
She has a young child so working from home suits her down to the ground.
a guinea pig
उपयोग में िाई जाने िािी िथतु या व्यस्क्त
They're looking for volunteers to act as guinea pigs for a new AIDS vaccine.
stick to one's guns
अपने ननर्यय पर अडडग रहना
Her family was against her becoming a model but she stuck to her guns.
play to the gallery
िोगों का ध्यान खींचने के लिए घहटया हरकतें करना
The legislators these days are more interested in playing to the gallery than bringing in
useful legislations.
the game is up
खेि खत्म हो गया है , चाि खि

ु गई है ।
When they took inventory they realized what was missing, and the game was up for the
department head.
run the gamut
विथतार करना
His music runs the gamut from rock to classic.

garbage in, garbage out
अगर कचडा डािोगे तो कचडा ही ननकािोगे

The meals are pretty poor but then they never use fresh ingredients- garbage in, garbage
out.
run out of gas (or steam)
रुधच खोना
The economic recovery seems to have run out of gas.

run the gauntlet
झेिना, आिोचना का विषय होना
The minister had to run the gauntlet of anti-nuclear protesters when he arrived at the plant.
throw down the gauntlet
चन
ु ौती थिीकार करना
The Leader of the Opposition has thrown down the gauntlet and dared the ruling party to
announce early elections.
change the gear
समथया को हि करने का तरीका बदि दे ना
Changing the gear, the government declared jobs for the protesting youths.
let the genie out of the bottle
जो होना है उसे होने दे ना
Once we let the genie of fundamentalism out of the bottle, it will take the society hundred
years back.
a gentleman's agreement
अलिखखत करर, आपसी विचिास का समझौता
There was apparently some sort of gentleman's agreement that he would be taking care of
his unmarried sisters.
the gift of the gab
अपनी योनयता से दस
ू रों से काम करिाना जो आप चाहते हैं
His gift of gab made him a successful marketing person.

give and take
आदान-िदान
Most successful marriages seem to be based on the mutual trust of the partners and plenty
of give and take on both sides.
not give a damn
बबल्कुि परिाह न करना, जरा सा िी ध्यान न दे ना
Most companies don't give a damn to environment issues.

from the word go
शरु
ु आत से
I knew from the word go that she was going to find living with him difficult.
while the going is good
सबकुछ ठीक चिना
If you are unsure about marrying him, get out now while the going is good.
a golden handshake
कभपनी से ननकि जाने पर काफी िन हदया जाना
The manager got early retirement and a Rs 6,00,000 golden handshake at the time of
restructuring of the company.
up for grabs
उपिब्ि
Now that he's resigned, his position is up for grabs.

fall from grace
नजरों से उतरना या धगरना, अनुग्रहपात्र न रहना
He used to be one of the closest advisors of the CEO before he fell from grace.
grease sb's palm
ररचित दे ना
Drug dealers were greasing the palms of the senior police officers.
green with envy
ईष्यायिु बना दे ना
Her quick promotion has turned others green with envy.

a grey area
अथपष्ट विषय (ननयम न होने की िजह से )
The difference between mercy killing and assisted suicide is a bit of a grey area.
come to grief
पर्
ू तय या असफि होना, पररश्रम का व्यिय हो जाना
It is a great pity to see all that effort and hard work come to grief.
come to grinding halt
ककसी समथया की िजह से काम बंद कर दे ना / काम का ठप्प पड जाना
If the computer network crashed, the outsourcing work would grind to a halt.
grist to (or for) the mill
मुनाफे का स्रोत बनाना, चाँदी होना
As an actor, the experience of doing different roles is grist to the mill.

drop (or lower) one's guard
सतकयता छोड दे ना
Once he knew I wasn't a reporter, he dropped his guard and even let me take a photograph
of him.
anybody's guess
ककसी का अनुमान क्योंकक दस

ू रे उसके बारे में कुछ नहीं जानते
Why he announced his retirement is anybody's guess.

go great guns
बडा आदमी, तेजी से उन्ननत करना
I know he had a little difficulty at the start of the course but he's going great guns now.
stick to one's guns
अपनी शान बनाए रखना / अपनी बात पर जमे रहना
Stick to your guns and don't agree on signing any bond with the company.
all (with) guns blazing
जोर-जोर से तकय-वितकय करना
The boy's parents arrived at the school, all guns blazing, enraged that their child was
punished for no mistake.
gain ground
सफिता हालसि करना
The support for single admission test for all engineering colleges in the country is gaining
ground among all the universities.
throw out of gear
सीिे-सीिे काम न होने दे ना / काम को अथत-व्यथत कर दे ना
We had some surprise guests last Monday and though we enjoyed their company very much
they have thrown our entire week out of gear.
go without saying
थपष्ट होना
It goes without saying that success is the byproduct of sincere work.

go out of one's way
जरूरत से ज्यादा करना, आिचयकता से अधिक कर डािना
The project team really went out of its way to meet the deadlines.
for good
सदा के लिए
The grandmother has announced her decision to move to her native place for good.
goody-goody
नेकी का दम िरने िािा
My young sister is a real goody-goody-always completing her homework and always arriving
school in time.
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
सोने के अण्डे दे ने िािी मुगी को मार डािना
If you sell your shares now, you could be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
against the grain
इच्छाओं के विपरीत होना
It is still very much against the grain for some people to work on a Sunday.
with a grain (or pinch) of salt
अविचिास के साि, संहदनि रूप में , नमक लमचय िगाकर
Most bosses take employees' leave applications citing illness as the reason with a grain of
salt.
sour grapes
खट्टे अंगरू कौन खाय
The loser's criticism of the award is nothing but sour grapes.

not let the grass grow under one's feet
दे री न करके तुरन्त काम करना
Apply today; don't let the grass grow under your feet.
Greek to sb
समझ से बाहर
I've tried to understand the regulations but it all sounds Greek to me.
break new ground
पररितयन िाना
The finding can break new ground in the science's quest to discover what causes the
disease.
stand (or hold) one's ground
(अपनी बात पर ) दृढ रहना, अडडग रहना, डटे रहना The union stood its ground in
negotiations despite pressure by the management to accept a pay cut.
Grub street
ननभन थतर का साहहत्य
Although his novels are dubbed as Grub street, he has been able to sell them well and get
more writing contracts.
generation gap
पीढी का अन्तराि या अन्तर
It is difficult for a singer to bridge the generation gap and appeal to both young and old
alike.
a go-getter
जोशीिा और सफिता की इच्छा रखने िािा

We remember him as a real go-getter-someone who was destined to make it to the top in
whichever career he chose.
strike gold
िानयशािी
Nobody had an inkling that his innovative idea would strike gold for him.
Good riddance
चिो छुटकारा तो लमिा
At the farewell party of the principal, most of the teachers could be heard whispering to one
another, "Good riddance!"
a good-for-nothing
बेकाम का, बेकार आदमी
Before he became the mayor, he was humiliated as good-for-nothing fellow by his own
family members.
a grain of truth
िोडी-सी सच्चाई
There's a grain of truth in what she says, though it's greatly exaggerated.
the grass roots
(दे श के) सामान्य िोग, जनसािारर्, जमीनी थतर के िोग
The grass roots of the party felt the youth should have more say in the functioning of the
party.
dig one's own grave
खद
ु की कब्र खोदना
If he continues to spend time with hopeless characters, he'll be digging his own grave.
greener pastures
सुनहरा अिसर
Many technocrats are seeking greener pastures abroad because of the scarcity of
opportunities at home.
go over (sth)
छानबीन करना, जाँच करना

The accountant has been instructed to go over the books again.

go through (sth)
छानबीन करना, जाँच करना पूरी तरह से पढना
The student decided to go through his notes before the exams.

under the gun
परू ा करना, अच्छी तरह से ियोग करना / दबाि में कायय करना
Everyone at the office has been working under the gun since the new manager took charge.
get the picture
समझना
It took him a while to get the picture, but now things are clear to him.
give ground
पीछे हटना, हार जाना, दब जाना
The Prime Minister adamantly refused to give ground to his critics over the nuclear policy.
give sb the slip
बच ननकिना
He's has been somewhere around for last one year and has managed to give the police the
slip.
give up the ghost
बंद पडना, ियास छोड दे ना
She worked extremely hard last year, and passed her exams with good grades; but this year
she seems to have given up the ghost.
Exercise
1. She'd been trying to get into films for ten years without success and was just about
to.........
(a) gave the game away (b) give it a whirl
(c) give up the ghost (d) give-and-take
2. The minister had to................... anti-nuclear protesters when he arrived at the plant.
(a) run out of gas of (b) run the gauntlet of

(c) get to grips with (d) give as good as he got
3. His.....................made him a successful marketing person.
(a) gentleman's agreement (b) sour grapes
(c) fall from the grace (d) gift of gab
4. Most companies don't.
(a) let the genie out (b) give a damn
(c) run the gauntlet (d) grin and bear
5. Now that he's resigned, his position is..........to environment issues
(a) the gift of the gab (b) runing the gauntlet
(c) up for grabs (d) a guinea pig
Answers
1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (c)
H
tear/pull one's hair out
िोि करना, बहुत दःु खी होना I'm tearing my hair over these errors.
get out of hand
पहुँच से बाहर होना As soon as the teacher turns his back, the class gets out of hand.
give sb a hand
मद्द करना
My son asked me to give him a hand with his homework.

change hands
एक से दस
ू रे के हाि में जाना
The hotel has changed hands twice since 1990.

get the hang of sth
सीखना (कैसे काम करना है यह समझने िािा
She's been trying hard to learn to use a computer, but she has not yet got the hang of it.
give sb a hard time
नाराज करना / समथया पैदा करना
She'd always wanted to focus on working outside, but her kids gave her a hard time.
have a hard time
कहठन समय बबताना
He had a hard time last year. He lost his job and failed to get any decent job for over six
months.
have it in for sb
ककसी को पसन्द नहीं करना या ककसी का नापसन्द बन जाना
For some unknown reason she seems to have it in for him, and she never misses any
opportunity to humiliate him in public.
have it out with sb
ककसी हदक्कत को सुिझाने के लिए बातचीत करना
She's started coming late for work-I'm going to have it out with her.
beat (or bang or hit) one's head against a brick wall
समय व्यिय करना, व्यिय की कोलशश करना
I have tried many times to convince him to stop smoking, but I'm beating my head against a
brick wall.
come to a head
हदक्कत में आना
With one robbery in the neighbourhood, the question of security has come to a head.
lose one's head
हदमागी सन्तुिन खो दे ना
He usually manages to stay calm in stressful situations but this time he lost his head.
laugh/scream/shout your head off
चकबक करना, अंट शंट बकिास करना, बोिते जाना
He laughed his head off while watching the movie.

break sb's heart
हदि तोडना
If the court declares him guilty, it will break her mother's heart.
a heart-to-heart (talk)
हदि खोिकर बात करना
We need to talk heart-to-heart about our marriage.

hold one's own
विपरीत हािातों के बािजद

ू उधचत करना
She can hold her own in any debate on social issues.

put sth on hold
इन्तराज करिाना
The project has been put on hold until our financial position improves.
be at home
सुखपूिक
य होना
By the end of the week she was beginning to feel more at home in her new job.
let/get sb off the hook
दोष मक्
Once they found the real culprit, they let me off the hook.
split hairs
बाि की खाि ननकािना Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; we'll switch on the water
pump on alternate days.
come (go) under the hammer
नीिामी में बबकना
All our possession must come under the hammer if we're to pay the debt.
hammer and tongs
बडे जोर-जोर से
They've been fighting hammer and tongs with each other for years - I'm told it's a sign of a
happy marriage!
hand in glove
घननष्ठ सभबन्ि ननकट सहयोग, लमिी िगत
The opposition suspects the ruling party is hand in glove with mining businesses.
live (from) hand-to-mouth
गुजारे िायक
Most of his students come from families which have always lived from hand-to-mouth.
hands down
आराम से
The pair won the title hands down - the final score was 6-4, 6-3.
hang up one's boots
सेिाननित
ृ हो
After the company started its 500th branch, the 73-year-old founder of the company
decided to hang up his boots.
happy hunting ground
सुखमय थिान
He recalled sea-beaches of Goa as a happy hunting ground for his youthful adventures.
be hard put to do sth
कुछ कर पाना सभिि न िगना ककसी कायय को परू ा करने में कहठनाई महसस
ू करना
She'll be hard put to buy her own home on what she earns.
tough (hard) nut to crack
टे ढी खीर, कहठन काम
It won't be easy getting her approval; she's a tough nut to crack.

run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
एक समय पर दो विपरीत िकृनत के चीजों / कायो को करने की कोलशश करना
He intends to increase the product's sale along with its price-that's trying to run with the
hare and hunt with the hounds.
out of harm's way
सुरक्षक्षत थिान पर
The family wanted to increase the height of the boundary wall to keep the children out of
harm's way.
in harness
सामान्य (रोग का) कायय करना Despite his illness he's determined to be in harness.
harp on (about sth or the same string)
एक ही राग अिापना, एक ही बात दोहराना She kept harping on the fact that the money she
received was not enough to run the house.
in today's paper.
ऐिान करना या िनतयोधगता में िाग िेना
She's seriously considering throwing her hat in the ring and declaring herself a candidate for
the election.
play (or wreck) havoc with
तहस-नहस कर दे ना
The earthquake played havoc with the town.

make hay (while the sun shines)
सही अिसर का फायदा उठाना
The thieves made hay while the house-owners were away for a vacation.
heads will roll
कुछ िोगों को दण्ड लमिेगा
If it is proved that the accident in the factory was caused by someone's negligence, then
heads will roll.
keep one's head
शास्न्त बनाए रखना / हदमाग शान्त रखना
He survived his ordeal because he kept his head and didn't allow himself to get too
frightened.
keep one's head above water
मस
ु ीबत से दरू रहना (आधियक)
With new bills coming in every day they're barely keeping their heads above water.
can't make head or tail of
समझ न पाना
I can't make head or tail of the instructions given in the product literature.
put your heads together
खद
ु ही तय करना / लमि-बैठकर तय करना
If we put our heads together, we should be able to come up with a campaign that will really
work.
turn heads
ध्यान आकवषयत करना
The actress of movies in 90s still manages to turn heads when sometimes she appears in
public.
hit (or make) the headlines
सुखखययों में आना, मुख्य खबर होना
The latest scandal to hit the headlines is about the arrest of a minister's son for drug-
dealing.
at the bottom of the heap
समह
ू में सबसे बरु ी हाित में होना, खराब हाित में होना
The slum-dwellers are at the bottom of the heap with little hope of improving their
condition.
from the bottom of one's heart
तहे हदि से
We appreciate your charity from the bottom of our hearts.

have a heart
ककसी से दयािू एिं उधचत होने के लिए कहना
Have a heart—I can't pay you back until next month.

not have the heart to
हहभमत न होना
I hadn't the heart to tell her what had happened to her kids.
have (put) one's heart and soul into sth
ककसी कायय को पूरा करने के लिए अपनी पूरी ताकत िगा दे ना
Your venture cannot fail as you have put your heart and soul into it.
heart and soul
पूर्य समपयर् िाि से, अन्तर आत्मा से
Most mothers love their children heart and soul.

heart of gold
दयािु और परोपकारी
Don't go by his gruff exterior, he's really got a heart of gold.

take sth to heart
हदि पर िे िेना
Don't take it to heart - he was only joking about your hair

hearth and home
घर-पररिार के लिए
His first loyalties are to hearth and home.

turn up the heat (on sb/sth)
दबाि डािना, कुछ करिाने के लिए
The doctors have threatened to go on a one-day strike to turn up the heat on the Health
department to increase their salaries
move heaven and earth
आकाश पाताि एक करना
I moved heaven and earth to get you that interview, and you didn't even bother to turn up
for it!
hedge one's bets
कई विकल्प िेना ताकक खोने का खतरा कम हो
I decided to hedge my bets by buying shares in several different companies.

take to one's heels
िाग जाना
When the burglar alarm went off the robbers took to their heels.
all hell broke (was let) loose
िडाई-झगडे का माहौि बन जाना
A policeman arrested the protesting leader and all hell broke loose
for the hell (or heck) of it
सनक
A group of students decided to dance and sing on the main city road, just for the hell of it.
neither here nor there
महत्त्िहीन
Whether they leave the party or stay is neither here nor there as far as I'm concerned.
a hidden agenda
गुप्त उद्दे चय
He stressed that the review was to identify staffing needs and there was no hidden agenda
to cut jobs.
leave sb high and dry
असहाय
The stock market crash left us high and dry.

high and mighty
घमंडी
He started behaving all high and mighty since he got the promotion.
on high
ऊँचाई पर, थिगय से
Those on high have decided that others work an extra hour every day.
the rest is history
सबको पता होना
Mangal Pandey was the first to die in the country's First War of Independence and the rest
is history.
hit and (or) miss
िापरिाही से ककया गया
They have a very hit-or-miss approach to running a business.

hit-and-run (accident)
अचानक, ककसी िाहन द्िारा ककसी को चोट मारकर िाग जाना
There are more and more hit-and-run drivers on the roads nowadays.
hit sb below the belt
अनुधचत आचरर् करना
His reference to my low caste status was a bit below the belt, since it had nothing to do with
the matter under discussion.
hit the nail on the head or hit the mark (bull's eye)
सही या उधचत बात करना
The Prime Minister's appeal to NRIS to be part of India's growth story hit the nail on the
head.
hit the road
िथिान करना
It's getting late-I'd better hit the road.

go the whole hog
परू ा करना ( नया करना)
Getting my computer repaired was to cost me so much that I decided to go the whole hog
and buy a new system.
hold the fort
दे खिाि करना / स्जभमेदारी संिािना
She did a good job of holding the fort until her father, the boss, recovered fully.
hold one's horses
िैयय रखना
Hold your horses; I would be there in some time.

hold one's tongue
चप
ु रहना, खामोश होना
If you don't hold your tongue any more, others will ask you to leave the place.
no holds barred
बबना ककसी रोकटोक के
The election campaign was rather a dirty affair, with no holds barred.
drive (or hammer) sth home
अच्छे से समझाना
For years, the government has been trying to drive home the need for us all to stop wasting
natural resources.
by hook or by crook
ककसी-न-ककसी तरह
I decided that I was going to get that job by hook or by crook

off the hook
दण्ड से बचना या बचाना

As he was not in the town when the robbery occurred, he was off the hook.
Exercise
1. fat
(a) horizontally challenged (b) hocus pocus
(c) hard-boiled (d) hustle and bustle
2. speak at length
(a) hit the hay (b) hold forth
(c) hive sth off (d) hedge one's bets
3. In an offended manner
(a) in the hot seat (b) into the huddle
(c) in a huff (d) lock horns
4. completely and utterly
(a) (up)to the hilt (b) hatchet job
(c) hocus pocus (d) head to head
5. not work properly
(a) keep one's head down (b) rear ugly head
(c) fall on hard times (d) go haywire
Answers
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (d)
I
break the ice
चप्ु पी तोडना
Someone at the conference will have to break the ice.

know sth inside out
पूरा ज्ञान होना
He knows this system inside out.

be (skating) on thin ice
बडा खतरा मोि िेना
They knew that by publishing the article they were skating on thin ice
the tip of an iceberg
हदक्कत जो हदखने में छोटी िगती हो, पर हो नहीं
The difficulties we've discussed are only the tip of the iceberg.
the icing on the cake
कुछ ऐसा जो अच्छे हािात को और बेहतर बना दे
All these letters of congratulation are icing on the cake.

be in for
पाने िािा होना, में पडने िािा होना We're in for a difficult time.
the ins and outs
पूरा ज्ञान / वििरर्
It takes a newcomer some time to learn the ins and outs of the legislative process.
give sb an inch (and they'll take a mile)
ऊँगिी पकड कर हाि पकडना
I told her she could borrow my car for a day and she's gone for a week-give somebody an
inch.
within an inch of
के अतयन्त ननकट
The car was within an inch of the disaster when I managed to apply the brakes.
add insult to injury
जिे पर नमक नछडकना
First of all he arrived an hour late and then, to add insult to injury, he complained about my
selection of the hall for the event.
to (or for) all intents and purposes
सबसे जरूरी है , सबसे महत्त्िपूर्य है
We are yet to finish a few odd things, but to all intents and purposes the job is done.
an iron curtain
विचारों और सूचना के आदान-िदान में बािक
The administration and the editorial department are separated by an almost impenetrable
iron curtain.
an iron hand (or fist) in a velvet glove
जो दे खने में कुछ और िाथति में कुछ और (बाहर सेमि

ू .....)
To enforce each new law the President uses persuasion first, and then force the iron hand in
the velvet glove.
an itching (or itchy) palm
िािच
Most ministers in this government have itchy palms.

get (or have) itchy feet
घूमने की इच्छा
He's been in the same job for too long and he's getting itchy feet.
ipso facto
इसी बात से, थिरूप से ही
The court held that ipso facto the owner of the company is responsible for the worker's
death.
no ifs and buts
कोई ककन्त,ु परन्तु नहीं
You have to remain present in the drill tomorrow, and no ifs and buts about it.
be ill at ease
शलमिंदगी महसस
ू करना, संकोच महसस
ू करना
He always felt a little ill at ease with strangers.

in absentia
अनुपस्थिनत में
He was awarded his degree in absentia.

an inside job
विचिसनीय द्िारा अपराि ककया जाना
The computers were stolen from a locked room, which makes it look like an inside job.
strike while the iron is hot
मौके का िाि उठाना, सही समय पर िहार करना
The boss congratulated me on a very good set of results, so I decided to strike while the iron
was hot and ask her for a decent payrise.
an ivory tower
िाथतविकता से परे , कहठनाइयों से पािा न पडना
What does the principal know about student life, living as he does in an ivory tower?
in a way
कुछ हद तक, एक तरह से
He spends thousands of rupees every weekend in restaurants, but in a way his family does
not seem to really care.
in case
अगर ऐसा हो तो
I will take my credit card in case things are costlier than we think.
in order to
के लिए, के उद्दे चय से
They have decided to keep the school closed for two weeks in order to do some major
repairs.
in other words
अिायत ्, दस
ू रे शब्दों में
In other words, if you do not finish the assignment by Wednesday you will not get the
certificate.
in place
सुव्यिस्थित
Everything in the room was in place when police came for interrogation.
in terms of (sth)
के शब्दों में , के मामिे में , के अनस

ु ार
In terms of the agreement, we cannot sell the products online.

in a cleft stick
कशमकश, दवु ििा में
Whether to sell the house now or wait for the hike in prices and miss the offer- I was in a
cleft stick.
in limbo
िूिना, अिर में िटकना
The plans for the expansion are in limbo now that the company has run out of funds.
in the firing line
िडाई में आगे की पंस्क्त
The company diversified mindlessly and they are now in the firing line of their angry
shareholders.
Exercise
Below on the left are some idioms. Choose the correct meaning from the list on the right:
1. the icing on the cake (a) a person having two different personalities
2. an itching palm (b) sth that makes a good situation even better
3. ifs and buts (c) form an opinion before studying all the evidence
4. Jekyll and Hyde (d) quickly
5. jump out of one's skin (e) feel anxious

6. jump to conclusions (f) treat sb gently and with care
7. in a jiffy (g) excuses
8. get the jitters (h) relatives
9. handle sb/sth with kid gloves (i) be extremely startled or frightened
10. kith and kin (j) A desire for money
Answers
1. (b) 2. (j) 3. (g) 4. (a) 5. (i) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (e) 9. (f) 10. (h)
J
jack of all trades
िोडा-िोडा सिी विषयों का ज्ञान होना िेककन ककसी का िी पूर्य ज्ञान न होना He can teach
history, English, and a bit of mathematics-he's a jack of all trades, really.
hit the jackpot
ककथमत का तारा चमक उठना
It was not a particularly good novel, but it won the jackpot for its author.
and all that jazz
हर िकार की िथतु
He told me to study for five hours and do exercise for two hours and all that jazz.
Jekyll and Hyde
दो व्यस्क्तत्ि िािा एक व्यस्क्त
I wouldn't trust a Jekyll and Hyde person to guard my house.

the jewel in the crown
िाखों में एक
The country can boast of many places of tourist interest but Taj Mahal is the jewel in the
crown.
in jig time
जल्दी से
She dialled 100 and the police van arrived there in jig time.
the joker in the pack
कोई ऐसा व्यस्क्त या चीज जो जगह बदिता है तो बताना कहठन है कक आगे क्या होगा
The independent candidate is the joker in the pack in this election.

jump the gun
जल्दबाजी करना
He shouted at me before I had time to explain, but later he apologised for jumping the gun.
jump out of one's skin
आतंककत
I heard a loud bang and nearly jumped out of my skin.

jump the queue
कतार बाँिना
If you try to jump the queue at a bus stop you'll get shouted at by old ladies.
jump to conclusions
पूरा विचार न करते हुए ननर्यय पर पहुँचना
I might be jumping to conclusions but I've seen them together twice in town.
jump down sb's throat
गुथसे से जिाब दे ना
She's been very irritable recently, jumping down my throat every time I open my mouth.
the jury is (still) out
अंनतम ननर्यय अिी बाकी है
The jury's still out on whether science experiments on animals are really necessary.
in a jiffy (or flash or trice)
पिक झपकते ही, चट

ु ककयों में
I experienced a drop or two, and in a jiffy there was a downpour.

get the jitters
घबरा जाना
I always get the jitters before an interview.

jam tomorrow
झठ
ू ा िादा
Politicians seeking re-election are good at offering voters jam tomorrow.

join forces
एक हो जाना, लमि जाना

After they join forces, together, they will hold a significant slice of the life insurance
business.
jump ship
बच ननकिना, एकाएक बबना बताए कहीं का काम छोड दे ना
He was to come with us and lend a hand but he seems to have jumped ship.
just around the corner
नजदीक होना, पास ही में होना
It's nice to see new leaves on the trees and to know that spring must be just around the
corner.
Exercise
Answers
1. (b) 2. (j) 3. (g) 4. (a) 5. (i) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (e) 9. (f) 10. (h)
K
a kick in the teeth (or pants)
ककसी के साि बुरा व्यिहार करना या ककसी को समय पर सहायता नहीं करना
She was refused promotion which was a real kick in the teeth after all the extra work she'd
done.
know where one stands
खद
ु का पता होना
Now that the doctor has diagnosed the condition, I know where I stand.
kick the habit
बरु ी आदत छोडना ( नशे की ित छोड दे ना )
No coffee for me, thanks. I'm trying to kick the habit.

handle (or treat) sb/sth with kid gloves
ख्याि रखना
Many of these people have been utterly traumatized by communal riots and need to be
handled with kid gloves.
kids' stuff
बच्चों का खेि, आसान काम
The hours are long, but the work itself is kids' stuff.
go (or move in) for the kill
िनतयोधगता में या तकय वितकय में हरा दे ना
After 6-3 in the first set, the Indian doubles pair went in for the kill and won the final set 6-0.
kill two birds with one stone
एक पंि दो काज, एक तीर से दो ननशाने िगाना
I had to go to Hyderabad for a meeting with my agent, and decided to kill two birds with one
stone and go and see my sister while I was there anyway.
kill sb with kindness
िेम से मारना
She has killed her son with kindness by giving him chocolates and cakes in place of fruits and
green vegetables.
make a killing
आसानी से िन कमाना
They made a killing in real estate.

a king's ransom
िन का बडा हहथसा, बेहद कीमती
On her birthday, he bought for her a diamond necklace which must have been worth a
king's ransom.
kiss and make up
समािान करना, मेि करना ि कराना
A couple in our neighbourhood argues a lot and makes great noise, but luckily they kiss and
make up soon.
kiss of death
आपसी सभबन्ि खत्म होना
An alliance with this group could prove to be a kiss of death for you.
kiss of life
मँह
ु में फँू क
A doctor who was present at the spot of accident gave the victim the kiss of life but failed to
revive him.
kith and kin
पररधचत और सभबन्िी
After his failure, he was avoided by all including his kith and kin.
bring sb/sth to their knees
नीचा हदखाना
Sanctions were imposed in an attempt to bring the country to its knees.

on one's knees
िका होना, खथता हाित में होना
The country has been on its knees since the civil war
sound (or ring) the death knell
पत्तन करना
The new superstore will sound the death knell for hundreds of small independent shops.
go (or be) under the knife
औषधि काययविधि
More and more women are choosing to go under the knife just to enhance their
appearance.
cut like a knife through butter
आसानी से काटना
A laser beam can cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.
on a knife-edge (or razor's edge)
अत्यधिक संतलु ित
The theatre is on a financial knife-edge and has survived due to tax exemptions.
a knight in shining armour
दवु ििा में साि दे ने िािा
What this political party needs is a knight in shining armour to change its tarnished image.
knock sb dead
चककत करना, रोमांधचत करना
The title song of the movie will knock the audiences dead.
take a knock
बरु ी तरह ििावित होना
His reputation has taken a knock following the revelations published in his recent biography.
tie the knot
शादी के बन्िन में बँिना
They decided to tie the knot before he left for his Army duty.
know a thing or two
अनुिि से व्यािहाररक कुशिता और ज्ञान िेना
Having worked in the police for a few years, he knows a thing or two about corruption in
local government.
know (or learn) the ropes
अच्छे से सधू चत होना, अच्छी तरह से समझना या जानना
A job in the leading retail chain provided him good training, but it took him several months
to get to know the ropes.
keep abreast of
ककसी िथतु विशेष का ज्ञान होना
Please keep me abreast of any change in his condition.

keep to oneself
अपने तक सीलमत रहना
We don't know anything about her, she keeps everything to herself.

a pretty (or nice) kettle of fish
कहठन पररस्थिनत
This is a pretty kettle of fish: the public agitated, the elected representatives confused and
the markets in slump.
in kind
उसी िकार, िथतु रूप में
He returned the insult in kind.

a kangaroo court
न्यायपूर्य व्यिहार न होना
The judge runs a kangaroo court-he tells rape victims they should have been more careful.
for keep
हमेशा के लिए
We're separating for keeps.

hold the key
िमाखर्कता दे ना
The policy-makers realized that holding the elections regularly holds the key to vibrant
democracy.
kill or cure
िबि कायय जो या तो परू ी तरह सफि करे गा या बबायद
His position wasn't very strong, and yet he decided to fight the re-election in a kill or cure
gesture.
be knee-deep in sth
अत्यधिक ििावित होना
I'm knee-deep in work at the moment, so I will not join you for lunch.
the knives are out
कुछ िोगों का गुथसे में होना (जो आिोचना करना चाहते हैं)
The knives are out for the captain following his team's poor performance in last five games.
know what's what
अनि
ु िी होना
The coaching institute is in the business for over 20 years - they know what's what.
a know-all
ऐसा व्यस्क्त जो अपने व्यिहार से यह दशायने की कोलशश करता है मानो िह सबकुछ जानता
हो
No one likes him because he pretends to be a know-all.

kind of
कुछ िोड-सा ज्यादा
I was kind of tired when I returned home last night.

know sth like the back of one's hand
बहुत अच्छे से पता होना
If you get lost, call me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my hand.
everything but the kitchen sink
आिचयकता से ज्यादा चीजें

Whenever we go for an outing my wife wants to buy everything but the kitchen sink!
keen as mustard
उत्साही, उत्िेररत
The new trainee is as keen as mustard.

keep up appearances
हदखािा करना, झठ
ू ी शान बरकरार रखना
To keep up appearances, he drives expensive cars and is often seen in expensive clothes.
keyed up
तनाि के स्थिनत में
He's all keyed up about flying to Dubai - it's his first flight.
kick up a fuss
बात का बतंगड बनाना, हंगामा खडा करना
The students who arrived late in the mess kicked up a great fuss when they were told that
there was no food left for them.
Exercise
Answers
1. (b) 2. (j) 3. (g) 4. (a) 5. (i) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (e) 9. (f) 10. (h)
L
laid-back
शांत, स्थिर
His laid-back attitude may affect his progress in this profession.

not to have a leg to stand on
कोई दािा नही
Most of his claims cannot be proved and don't have a leg to stand on.
go to great lengths (or any length)
ककसी िी हद तक जाना, अंनतम छोर तक जाना
He'll go to great lengths to give a perfect presentation.

learn one's lesson
सबक सीखना
Now that she's learnt her lesson, we can confirm her employment.
teach (or give) sb a lesson
सबक लसखाना
The next time she's late, go without her. That should teach her a lesson.
get a life
उपहास करना, घर्

ृ ा करना, हँसी उडाना
Every time I see his designs, I feel like saying, 'You sad man, get a life!"
bring sth to light
ित्यक्ष करना, बतिाना
The accountant brought to light certain financial irregularities.

along (or on) the right line
सही राथते पर
The project appeared to be developing more or less along the right lines.
somewhere along the line
ककसी कायय या िकिया के दौरान ककसी बबन्द ु पर
It is not very clear what went wrong with his batting but somewhere along the line he
stopped applying basic defence techniques.
be at loggerheads
अनम
ु ान में अनबन, आपस में लिडे
The judiciary and legislature in the country are at loggerheads.

get a look in
मौका लमिना
The other teams were so much better than us. We didn't get a look in.
loud and clear
आसानी से सुनने और समझने िायक
They told us, loud and clear, what to expect in a democratic set up.
keep a low profile
सािारर् जीिन
He keeps a low profile and cannot become an effective project manager.

a labour of love
आनन्द के लिए करना, न कक िाि के लिए
Writing books has been a labour of love for him, since he doesn't really expect to make
much money from it.
like a lamb to the slaughter
बबना िनतरोि ककए, विरोि ककए होना
She agreed to appeal to the board on behalf of the staff, little knowing she would go like a
lamb to the slaughter.
speak (or talk) the same language
एक-दस
ू रे से सहमत होना
Negotiations went on for days, but finally both sides realized they weren't speaking the
same language.
in the lap of luxury
सिी सुखों में
As he grew up in the lap of luxury he had no idea about the struggle most Indians had to do
for survival.
be the last word
अंनतम ननर्यय दे ना
This report is considered to be the last word on genetic engineering.

have the final (or last) word
अंनतम तिा ननर्ाययक बात कहना
The marketing department has the final word on the editorial policy of the newspaper.
last but not least
अंनतम पर कम महत्त्िपूर्य नहीं
Last but not least, we must thank all the people in the rally who have come here despite
heavy rains.
have the last laugh
सही साबबत होना या सफि होना, आखखरकार कामयाब होने का मजा
They fired her last year but she had the last laugh because she was taken on by their main
rivals at twice the salary.
laugh all the way to the bank
बहुत सारा पैसा कमाना
If we fail to seize this opportunity, our competitors will and they'll be laughing all the way to
the bank.
laugh in sb's face
सभमान और महत्त्ि न हदखाना
He requested them to switch off their cell phones but they just laughed in his face.
no laughing matter
गभिीर विषय, सामान्य बात नहीं
This outbreak of flu is no laughing matter.

be a law unto oneself
अपना कानून चिाना, कोई ननयम कानून न मानना
Since becoming managing director of the business, she's been very much of a law to herself.
lay down the law
िामाखर्क रूप से कहना
We will not allow an outsider come into this office and start laying down the law.
lay the ghost of sb/sth to rest
आखखरकार धचंता करना बंद कर दे ना
With one stunning performance, the Indian team has laid to rest the ghost of their
humiliating defeats.
lead sb by the nose
ििुत्ि रखना, हािी होना
The agitating farmers were led by the nose by a manipulative political leader.
shake (tremble) like a leaf
घबरा या डर जाना
The very thought of earthquake makes the residents shake like a leaf.
turn over a new leaf
नया जीिन शुरु करना, नई विधि अपनाना
Since his release from the jail, he's turned over a new leaf and has become a socially
responsible person.
by (or in) leaps and bounds
बहुत तेजी से, शीघ्रता से
The party leaders said that the membership is growing by leaps and bounds.
a new lease of (or on) life
अच्छे से नई शरू
ु आत
The operation was such a success-it really has given her a new lease of life.
to say the least
बहुत कम बोि पाना
When somebody found her lost gold ring, she was delighted, to say the least.
leave a lot (or much) to be desired
असन्तोषजनक
The government's efforts towards promoting tourism leave a lot to be desired.

leeway to make up
हाि-पैर मारना, काम जो िी ककया जाना है
We have a lot of leeway to make up if we are to finish this job on time.

left, right and centre
हर तरफ से सिी जगह
They were firing at people left, right and centre.

in less than no time
बहुत जल्दी, तुरंत
The train will be here in less than no time.

the lesser evil (or the lesser of the two evils)
कम बरु ी (दो में से)
Inflation is a lesser devil than deflation.

a man of letters
िेखक
A distinguished statesman and a man of letters, he was born just before the turn of the
century.
to the letter
हर ब्यौरे पर कडी नजर, साििानी से, िाथति में
I followed your instructions precisely and to the letter.

do one's level best
िरपरू कोलशश करना
It is difficult to book tickets during this period of year, but I'll do my level best to get you
one.
a level playing field
साफ पररस्थिनत, न्यायपूर्य स्थिनत

There are demands from foreign players to introduce a level playing field so that they can
compete with local banks.
lick sb's boots
तििे चाटना, खश
ु ामद करना
I'm not prepared to lick someone's boots to get a promotion.

lick one's lips
चपड-चपड करना
Meanwhile, the property developers are licking their lips at the prospect of all the money
they're going to make.
lick one's wounds
हार का मिाि रखना और अपनी शस्क्त को बढाने का ियास करना
She's still licking her wounds after last week's fiasco.

blow the lid off sth
िंडा-फोड करना
The newspaper's investigation blew the lid off the nexus between politicians, builders and
underworld.
keep (or put) a (or the) lid on sth
काबू करने के लिए कब्जे में रखना, पदाय डािना
Economic difficulties continued and the government intervened to keep a lid on inflation.
frighten the life out of sb
अत्यन्त ियिीत कर दे ना
She frightened the life out of me, shouting like that.

big (large) as life
िाथति में , िैयस्क्त रूप से
I looked up from my paper and there she was, big as life, standing right in front of me
larger than life
ज्यादा उत्तेस्जत और रूधच पैदा करने िािा (िाथतविकता से बढकर)
Most characters in his films are somewhat larger than life.

the life and soul of the party
मुख्य आकषयर् केन्द्र
He soon became the life and soul of the party; making people laugh at his jokes.
a matter of life and death
जीिन मरर् का िचन
The passengers urged the captain to do something quickly-it was a matter of life and death.
once in a lifetime
अत्यन्त दि
ु ि
य
An offer like this comes just once in a lifetime.

in (the) view (or light) of
का ध्यान रखते हुए
He got a special bonus in view of all the extra work he had done.
light at the end of the tunnel
िभबे दःु ख के बाद आशा की ककरर्, अंततः आशा की ककरर्
Unemployment is still rising but analysts assure us there is light at the end of the tunnel.
light of one's life
सबसे प्यारा इन्सान
Her youngest son is the light of her life.

make light work of
जल्दी से और आसानी से करना
He and his friends made light work of cleaning the garden.

like greased lightning
बहुत तेजी से
I mentioned work and he was out of the room like greased lightning.
like it or lump it
नहीं चाहते हुए िी थिीकार करना
Like it or lump it, TV serials based on romantic relations are viewed regularly by thousands.
the likes of
के जैसा
I've never seen the likes of this before.

bring sb/sth into line
ननयमों में सही बैठना
It was her job to bring her class into line with the others.
lay (or put) it on the line
थपष्ट बात करना, साफ-साफ कहना
You're just going to have to lay it on the line and tell her that her work's not good enough.
out of line
लिन्न, अयोनय, अनुधचत
Some of his views are way out of line with the policies of his party.
get into the lion's den
साहलसक कायय करना
Facing Australian bowlers at Adelaide is rather like entering the lion's den for an Indian
team.
the lion's share
सबसे बडा हहथसा बडा िाग
The lion's share of the museum's budget goes on holding special exhibitions.
throw (or feed) sb to the lions
मुसीबत में डाि दे ना और बचाने की कोलशश न करना
No one told him about the demonstrators' hostility - he really felt he'd been fed to the lions.
pay lip service to sth
झठ
ू ा आचिासन दे ना
They paid lip service to holding an election next year, but they had no intention of doing so.
live and breathe sth
अहम ् िाग बना दे ना, ज्यादा समय दे ना

For over 20 years I've lived and breathed dance. It's been my whole life.
live and let live
स्जयो और जीने दो
In a closed community such as this, you have to live and let live.
take a load off sb's mind
धचंतामक्
Good news about the baby took a load off my mind.

lock, stock and barrel
सभपूर्य रूप से
He's been pressing for the organization to move lock, stock, and barrel, from Mumbai to
Delhi.
under lock and key
बन्द, पहुँच से बाहर हुआ
He keeps medicines under lock and key because of the kids.

in the long run
अन्ततः, किी न किी
It means spending a bit now, but in the long run it'll save us a lot of money.
look before you leap
कुछ करने से पहिे सोचना
If you're thinking of buying a house, my advice is, look before you leap.
look sb in the eye (or face)
बेशमी से दे खना
Can you look me in the face and tell me you don't want that prize?
look the other way
दस
ू री ओर दे खना
When their own sons and relatives are involved in wrongdoing leaders prefer to look the
other way.
step out of line
बाहर ननकिना, कदम बढाना, िभबे डंग िरना, कुछ हट कर करना
My friend is a great fun to go out with but he has a tendency to step out of line.
lap sth up
विचिास करना
I can't imagine why she lapped up that ridiculous story.

look for sth
खोजना
She was looking for her credit card all morning but failed to find it.
look up sth
दे खना
I looked up the word in the dictionary.

last legs
िका माँदा, िडखडाना
Holding a rally in such heat was unwise: several of the participants were on their last legs in
the evening.
leak air
बेिकूफी िरी बात करना
Don't listen to a word he says - he's just leaking air.

leeway to make up
उिारना, बच ननकिना
We have a lot of leeway to make up if we are to complete this assignment on time.

like a moth to a flame
रोक न पाना
Big and fast bikes drew him like a moth to a flame.

lily-livered
डरपोक
It's unwise for you to rely on such a lily-livered person.

long in the tooth
बूढा होना
I used to enjoy long runs, but now I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for such exertions.
Exercise
1. laid-back
(a) old (b) hardworking
(c) tense (d) easygoing
2. be at loggerheads
(a) with serious differences of opinion (b) having trouble
(c) seriously ill (d) at different stages
3. no laughing matter
(a) comic (b) difficult test
(c) very serious (d) strange behaviour
4. turn over a new leaf
(a) become rich (b) make a fresh start (c) rags to riches(d) enjoy the situation
5. long in the tooth
(a) experienced (b) old (c) intellectual (d) dull
6. like a moth to a flame
(a) interesting (b) terrible (c) lovely (d) irresistible
Answers
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (d)
M
make it
सफि होना, हालसि करना, उपस्थित रहना
She made it to the airport just in time to catch her plane.

make it up to sb
सही करना
I know I've behaved badly and I've upset you but I'll make it up to you, I promise.
take the mick/mickey (out of)
परे शान करना, नकि उतारना
They used to take the mick out of him because of the way he walked.
bear/keep sth in mind
ननर्यय िेते समय, ककसी व्यस्क्त या ककसी चीज को याद रखना
Repair work on older buildings is an expensive business and that's always something to be
borne in mind.
cross one's mind
अचानक से ख्याि में आना
It never crossed my mind that they would turn the proposal down.
make up one's mind
तय करना
I have made up my mind. I'm submitting my resignation tomorrow.

set one's mind on (or put one's mind to)
हालसि करने का पक्का ननचचय करना
I've set my mind on finding a job I enjoy.

have mixed feelings about sth
तय न कर पाना, अच्छा और बुरा, दोनों तरह की िनतकिया
The investors have mixed feelings about the takeover of the company.
be over the moon
अत्यन्त खश
ु होना
She's over the moon after she was offered the job she wanted badly.
make the most of sth
जो उपिब्ि है उसका बेहतर उपयोग करना
There'll be a lot of travelling involved in my new job and I plan to make the most of it.
get a move on
जल्दी करना
He realised he'd have to get a move on if he was to finish the work by 4 o'clock.
far from the madding crowd
िीड-िाड से दरू
After addressing a number of rallies and making infinite speeches as part of the election
campaign, he wanted to move far away from the madding crowd.
make do
काम चिाना
They don't have much money, but they will have to make do for a few days.
make or break sth
बना दे ना या बबगाडना
The judgement today will make or break the political party.

a man for all seasons
हरफनमौिा
He heads a large pharmaceutical company and is also an acclaimed painter-really a man for
all seasons.
the man in (or on) the street
आम आदमी
It's all very well for the government to privatize most of the departments, but I wonder
what it means for the man in the street.
the man of the moment
ििािशािी व्यस्क्त
Their goalkeeper is the man of the moment after two brilliant games in last five days.
man-to-man
थपष्ट खि
ु े आम
They had a long man-to-man talk about their differences.

separate (or sort out) the man from the boys
पररपक्ि, अनुििी ओर निलसख्यों में अन्तर करना
You have to work outdoors for three weeks every month. That should separate the men
from the boys.
get off the mark
खेि िनतयोधगता में पहिी बार अंक िेना
The team got off the mark with a brilliant goal.

make one's mark
िोगों की नजर में आना
After graduating from the IIM-A, he made his mark as finance director of a global company
in New York.
off (or wide of) the mark
गित
The poll result projections this year were not far off the mark.
be up to the mark
पयायप्त, आशानुसार
The security in trains has not been quite up to the mark.

marriage of convenience
राजनीनतक, आधियक या सामास्जक फायदों के लिए शादी, न की िगाि के कारर्
Their alliance is marriage of convenience and has nothing to do with Videologies.

go to the mat
तब तक िडना जब तक हार या जीत तय हो न जाए
The minister said he'd go to the mat for getting sanction to this bill
to the max
स्जतना सभिि हो
A lot of these boys push their bodies to the max, spending three or more hours a day in the
gym.
make a meal (out) of sth
जरूरत से ज्यादा समय दे ना
I only asked her to write a brief summary of the main points but she made a real meal out of
it.
mean business
सचमुच करने का इरादा रखना
The changes the new Government has made show they mean business.
a means to an end
अरूधचकर कायय करना क्योंकक तुभहें इससे मदद लमिेगी
He is not very ambitious. For him, work is just a means to an end.

for good measure
इसके साि-साि
He didn't argue over the price, so I gave him some extra supplies for good measure.
a dose (taste) of one's own medicine
िैसा ही अहसास हदिाना
He was upset at being left out, but they were just giving him a taste of his own medicine.
meet sb halfway
समझौता करना
We are willing to go halfway and offer them their share.

there is more to sb\sth than meets the eye
नछपा हुआ महत्त्ि / स्जतना हदखता है उससे ज्यादा है ।
This agreement involves more than meets the eye.

a meeting of minds
एक से विचारों िािे / विचारों में सहमनत

Sources said there was a meeting of minds between the two parties during the day-long
talks.
take a trip down memory lane
वपछिे सुखद पिों को याद करना
She often brings before us the old family photograph album, and takes us on trips down
memory lane.
mend (one's) fences
िाद-वििाद के बाद दोथत बनने की कोलशश करना
China is trying to mend fences with Russia after the recent border dispute.
get the message
संकेत को समझाना
He gestured to the waiter, who got the message and brought the bill.
method in sb's madness
पागिपन की आड में उद्दे चय नछपा होना
The Chief Minister takes seemingly random trips around the districts but there's method to
her madness-she's keen to check her popularity.
put sth under the microscope
अच्छे से जाँच करना, परखना
Because they're both public figures, their relationship has been put under the microscope.
go the extra mile
आशा से बढकर ियास करना
He's a nice guy, always ready to go the extra mile for his friends.
cry over spilt milk
ककए पे पछताना, अब पचचात होत क्या जब धचडडया चग

ु गयी खेत
The papers you wanted went out in last week's trash, so don't cry over spilt milk.
put sb (or go) through the mill
जीिन में कहठनाई झेिना या ककसी के जीिन में कहठनाई पैदा करना
They put him through the mill, making him work at everyone of the machines,
not mince (one's) words
मँह
ु पर कहना, चाहे ककसी को खराब ही क्यों न िगे
The report does not mince words about the incompetence of some government officials.
make mincemeat of sb
ककसी को बहस या िनतयोधगता में परू ी तरह से परास्जत कर दे ना
He's an excellent lawyer, and he soon made mincemeat of my friend's case.

be in two minds
दवु ििा में होना
She's of two minds about her new job-it's much closer to home but also less challenging-
have sth on your mind
धचंतामनन रहना
He didn't seem able to pay much attention to the conversation, and acted as if there was
something else on his mind.
mind your Ps and Qs
व्यिहार और िार्ी में सही और साििान होना
He will have to learn to mind his Ps and Qs if he wants to work for a boss like her.
put one's mind to sth
पूरा ध्यान एक जगह िगाना, पूरे मन से करना
If you put your mind to it, you can finish the job by afternoon.
give sth a miss
ककसी गनतविधि में िाग न िेना
I think I'll have to give the pizza a miss. I'm on a diet.

miss the boat (or bus)
मौका गंिा बैठना
I sent off my university application at the last minute and nearly missed the boat.
make no mistake
गितफहमी में मत रहना, ननथसंदेह
Make no mistake-I'll vote him no matter who runs.

be a mixed blessing
अच्छा और बरु ा ििाि होना
Beauty can prove to be a mixed blessing. It gets you a lot of attention but people are less
likely to trust you.
make a mockery of sth
खखल्िी उडाना
The fact that he sent his children to private school makes a mockery of his socialist
principles.
have one's moments
अच्छा समय गुजरना (बुरे समय में िी )
He did not deliver an outstanding performance, but he had his moments.

moment of truth
ननर्ाययक क्षर्
Now that all the bills are in, we are facing the moment of truth-can we afford to live here or
not?
for my money
मेरी राय में
For my money, a trip to those beaches is not worth the trouble or expense.
over the moon
िसन्न
They've just asked her to join the board of directors of the company, and she's over the
moon about it.
promise sb the moon
ऐसा िादा करना जो परू ा न हो
He had promised her the moon but five years later they were still living in the same small
rented house.
break the mould
बबल्कुि नया और अिग से करना
A new TV show is about to be launched which aims to break the mould of the usual daytime
programes.
put words into sb's mouth
सझ
ु ाि दे ना, िही कहना जो दस
ू रा कहना चाहता है , ककसी से जबरदथती अपने मन की बात
कहिाना
The police were accused of putting words into the witness's mouth.
give sb a mouthful
गुथसे से धचल्िाना
The bus driver gave the biker a mouthful as he kept driving in the middle of the road.
make a move
काययिाई करना, ननकिना
Who will make the first move towards resolving the dispute?
move (keep up) with the times
समयानुसार
I don't really like using a computer, but you have to move with the times, I suppose.
movers and shakers
ििािशािी िोग
All the movers and shakers of the art world felt they had to be present at the reception.
make a muck of
हानन पहुँचाना स्जसे ठीक न ककया जा सके
He made a muck of the job and earned the boss's wrath.

muddy the waters
उिझन बढा दे ना
The report you submitted didn't prove anything, it simply muddied the waters.
mum's the word
रहथयमय रखना
Remember that her birthday party is to be a complete surprise, so mum's the word on that
subject.
Murphy's Law
योजनाएँ असफि होना और घटनाएँ घटना
I'm a great believer in Murphy's Law-what can go wrong will go wrong.

be music to sb's ears
सन
ु कर अच्छा िगना
The government's new policy on land acquisition was music to the ears of a large number of
farmers.
make believe
छि करना, ढोंग करना
She was dressed in the deepest mourning black, but it was all make believe - she was
secretly quite relieved that her partner was dead.
make light of
महत्त्िपूर्य नहीं मानना, महत्त्ि नहीं दे ना
You shouldn't make light of other people's apprehensions.

man of his word
विचिसनीय
You can count on him as he's often proved to be a man of his word.
by all means
अिचय, ककसी िी कीमत पर
Losing the contract is to be avoided by all means.

the milk of human kindness
दस
ू रे के दःु ख से ििावित होना
Everyone agreed that he was a brilliant administrator but some people worried that he
lacked the milk of human kindness.
make a mountain of a molehill
नति का ताड बनाना, तुच्छ बात को अधिक महत्त्ि दे ना, राई का पहाड बनाना
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. You wrote one essay it doesn't mean you're
going to fail in the exam.
moot point
बहस की बात, बहस का मुद्दा
He told me that I should put my savings in property, but I replied the it was at best a moot
point.
much of a muchness
एक समान, एक जैसे
It was very hard to select the best essay as all the answers looked very much of a muchness
to me.
Exercise
1. He told me that I should put my savings in property, but I replied that it was at
best............
(a) monkey business (b) no matter
(c) a moot point (d) a mixed bag
2. She..................after she was offered the job she wanted badly
(a) made up her mind (b) was over the moon
(c) has mixed feelings (d) took the mick
3. Their goalkeeper is the…………..after two brilliant games in last five days
(a) man for all seasons (b) man away from the madding crowd
(c) man to man (d) man of the moment
4. After graduating from the IIM-A, he…………… global company in New York.
(a) made his mark (b) got off the mark
(c) has been quite up to the mark (d) far off the mark
5. He didn't argue over the price, so I gave him some extra supplies…………
(a) as a mixed blessing (b) for good measure
(c) for my money (d) as a taste of his own medicine
Answers
1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (b)
N
breathe down sb's neck
बारीकी से नजर रखना (जो दस

ू रों को परे शान करे )
It's awful to have to work with a boss who's breathing down your neck the whole time.
no way
ककसी िी तरीके से नहीं, कतई नहीं
No way can I forget what he did.

be no joke
गंिीर या कहठन कायय करना, कोई मजाक नहीं
There are two of us here, trying to do the work of four people-it's no joke.
get (right) up sb's nose
तंग करना
To be frank, I prefer not to have to deal with her. She gets up my nose.
poke/stick your nose into sth
बीच में पडना, हथतक्षेप करना
I told her in clear terms to stop poking her nose into my business.
turn your nose up
ककसी चीज को नापसन्द करना, खासकर इसलिए कक आपको िगता है कक िह चीज आपके
िायक नहीं है
She turned her nose up at my gift and said she expected something much better.
in a nutshell
संक्षेप में , सारांश में
Well, to put it in a nutshell, we're not at all satisfied with your report.
drive a nail in the coffin
कोई िी चीज को ककसी व्यस्क्त या संथिा के अन्त का कारर् बन सकता है ।

The doctor told him that every time he smokes a cigarette, he's driving another nail into his
coffin.
the naked truth
बबना परदे के, न नछपा हुआ, बबल्कुि सत्य
What the teachers has told you about your child is the naked truth.
drop names
ििावित करने के लिए महत्त्िपर्

ू य िोगों से सभबन्ि हदखाना
She has lost her credibility because of her habit of dropping names.
in name only
नाम के लिए नाममात्र के लिए
He is a headmaster in name only, since most of the decisions are taken by the trustee of the
school.
make a name for oneself
नाम कमाना, िलसद्ि होना
She is making a name for herself as an excellent teacher.

the name of the game
महत्त्िपूर्य हहथसा, मुख्य मुद्दा
Winning is the name of the game in any competitive sport.

what's in a name
तककया किाम, सूत्रिाक्य, 'नाम में क्या रखा है '
I called it abortion and she called it miscarriage - but let's not argue over petty matters;
what's in a name!
you name it
लसफय कहने के लिए, आम बात
I've tried just about every diet available in the market; you name it and I've tried it.
catch sb napping
ककसी को असाििान पाना, छोटी-मोटी गिती पकडना
The United States was really caught napping the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour.
call of nature
मित्याग करना, शौच जाना
We'll break for 15 minutes and everyone can have a cup of coffee, attend to calls of nature,
check for incoming messages, etc.
so near and yet so far
पास होकर िी दरू होना
I've only got the last chapter to write but it's taking forever. So near and yet so far.
nearest and dearest
सगे सभबन्िी
It's a small gathering-we're inviting only a dozen or so of our nearest and dearest.
a necessary evil
अननिायय वििशता
He considers taxes a necessary evil.

break one's neck to do sth
तीियगनत से
I wish I'd known the lecture was cancelled - I nearly broke my neck trying to get here in
time.
neck and neck
बराबर मुकाबिे का, साि-साि
According to the opinion polls, the two leading contenders for the post were running neck
and neck.
get on sb's nerves
नाक में दम करना
The cell phone hadn't stopped ringing all morning and it was starting to get on my nerves.
to have nerves of steel
बहादरु होना
You'd have to have nerves of steel to play in front of a crowd this size.
to a nicety
ठीक-ठीक, सही ढं ग से
You have grasped the message of his article to a nicety.

in the nick of time
ऐन मौके पर, ठीक समय पर
The police arrived there just in the nick of time. A minute later and the thief could have
escaped.
day and night
रातहदन, िगातार
We were working day and night on these sketches.

go down (or drop or fall) like ninepins
बडी संख्या में जख्मी होना, मारे जाना या मरना
I've never seen so many players injured. They were going down like ninepins.
nip sth in the bud
िारभि में ही नष्ट या असफि कर दे ना
The protest march was nipped in the bud by some clever negotiation.
no man's land
अथिालमक िूलम, स्जस िूलम का कोई मालिक न हो, बंजर िूलम
After the athlete was declared positive for a banned drug, she found herself in a no man's
land.
no two ways about it
कोई शक नहीं है , ककसी िी तरह से नहीं, ककसी िी स्थिनत में नहीं, दस

ू रा कोई तरीका नहीं है
All the members have to agree on the nomination, and there are no two ways about it.
get the nod
सहमनत िकट करना
The contestant got the nod to refer to his notes from the judges.
nodding acquaintances
जान पहचान, सामान्य पररचय होना, दआ

ु सिाम होना
You'll need to explain everything in detail - he has no more than a nodding acquaintance
with English.
every nook and cranny
हर कहीं, सियत्र, सब जगह
I've searched for it in every nook and cranny, and I still can't find it.
keep one's nose out of
अपने काम से काम रखना, दस

ू रे को पर्
ू य विचिास से हटाना
What goes on between the two Asian countries is none of their business so they should
keep their nose out of it.
keep one's nose to the grindstone
कोल्हू के बैि की तरह जोतना या जतना
I've only got six weeks before my exams start so I'm trying to keep my nose to the
grindstone.
strike (or hit) the right note
सही काम करना
They were all very distressed and upset, so it was very important that the speaker manage
to strike the right note.
think nothing of it
ज्यादा ध्यान न दे ना
When she thanked him for driving her home, he told her to think nothing of it.
now or never
अब या किी नहीं, बस यही समय है ।
If you are considering to put up your request before the boss, it's now or never.
make a nuisance of oneself
दःु ख पहुँचाना, सताना
That child is making a nuisance of himself.

sb's (or sth's) days are numbered
िह कुछ हदन का मेहमान है , उसे नौकरी से ननकाि
As desk top industry is struggling to survive, it is clear that its days are numbered.
nuts and bolts
मूि तत्ि
Law school teaches wonderful theory but it doesn't teach the nuts and bolts of actual
practice.
to feather one's nest
गित तरीके से पैसा कमाना
There was a public outcry when it was learnt that so many of our parliamentary
representatives were busier feathering their own nests than defending the interests of their
electors.
Exercise
1. get (right) up sb's nose (a) refer to important persons as acquaintances

2. in a nutshell (b) the main point of something
3. drop names (c) take unawares
4. the name of the game (d) annoy sb
5. catch sb napping (d) irritate someone
6. break one's neck to do sth (f) be brave
7. get on sb's nerves (g) everywhere
8. have nerves of steel (h) briefly and succinctly
9. nip sth in the bud (i) put an end to it in its early stages
10. every nook and cranny (j) proceed with reckless speed to get somewhere
O
stick/put one's oar in
अडचन डािना, अडंगा डािना, बबना माँगे सिाह दे ना खासकर जब उसकी कोई जरूरत ही नही
I don't want her to attend the meeting and stick her oar in – she knows nothing about the
situation.
on the off-chance
बहुत ही कम सभिािना, आशा में
Journalists often investigate film stars private lives on the off-chance that they might find
something scandalous.
off the cuff
विना सोचे समझे बबना ककसी तैयारी के
She wasn't expecting to give a speech and just said a few things off the cuff.
on the one hand....... on the other hand
एक और दस
ू री ओर, कवपतु ... अवपतु
On the one hand, I'd like more money, but on the other hand, I'm not prepared to work the
extra hours in order to get it.
keep/have an open mind
विलिन्न विचारों का थिागत करना
The Commissioner cautioned the police officers to keep an open mind while listening to
people's complaints.
open-ended
खि
ु ा, असीलमत, असीम
The police investigation was too open-ended. We needed clear responses to our complaints.
out-and-out
सभपूर्य पूर्य
She's an out-and-out feminist and a very committed one.

out-of-date
अिचलित, गतािधिक, अमान्य
He claimed the report was inaccurate and was based on out-of-date information.
get one's own back
बदिा िेना
She finally saw a chance to get her own back on her unfaithful husband.
get one's own way
दस
ू रों को समझाने में सफि होना, अपनी बात मनिाना
She sulks every time she doesn't get her own way.
stand on one's own feet
थितन्त्र रूप से काम करना
Sooner or later, he's got to stand on his own feet and make his own decisions.
odd one (or man) out
सही न होना
The invitation was for couples only, so he was odd man out.
off and on
किी-किी, यदा-कदा
I've had toothache on and off for the past three months.
good offices
मध्यथिता, सत्यियास
The dispute could be resolved with the help of good offices.

oil and water
परथपर-विरोिी, बराबरी न होना
They tried to save their marriage for the sake of the children. But oil and water as they
were, soon they had to go their separate ways.
of the old school
पारभपररक विचारों िािा

She was a teacher of the old school and believed in strict discipline
hold out (or offer) an olive branch
असहमनत खत्म करने का संकेत हदखाना
She held out an olive branch to the opposition by releasing 42 political prisoners.
once and for all
सदा के लिए, हमेशा के लिए
I'm fed up with arguing about this-let's just settle this argument once and for all.
once bitten, twice shy
दि
ू का जिा सहज फूंक-फूंक कर वपए
He was two days late last time, so she's not hiring him again-once bitten, twice shy.
once in a while
किी-किार, किी-किी
Once in a while I enjoy going to clubs.
one-to-one (or one-on-one) हर एक के लिए अिग, एक-एक के साि
The school caters to children with special needs who require one-to-one attention.
one-horse race
िनतथपिाय में कोई व्यस्क्त या समूह का विजयी स्थिनत में िगना
This test series has been a one-horse race right from the start.
know one's stuff (or onions)
अनुििी होना, अपने क्षेत्र का ज्ञान होना
She knows her stuff when it comes to Indian history.

open and shut
थपष्ट, सािारर्
With three eyewitnesses, the lawyers said this case was open and shut.
with one's eyes open
आँखे खि
ु ी रखते हुए, दस
ू रे के काम पर नजर रखते हुए
It was difficult to succeed in the acting profession but I went into it with my eyes open.
keep one's options open
विकल्प तय करने से पूिय इन्तजार करना
I'm going to keep my options open while I find out about college courses abroad.
out with it
बोिने के लिए कहना जो िो नहीं बोि पा रहे हैं।
Come on, out with it! Tell us all what we're doing wrong !
go overboard
बहुत ही उत्साहहत होना, हद से ज्यादा करना
The car makers seem to have gone overboard on design and sacrificed safety.
come into one' (or your) own
अपनी िनतिा को काम में िाना
He came into his own in last match, scoring three goals in the first half.
at odds
विपरीत होना, मतिेद होना
They're at odds over the funding for the project.

to rest on one's laurels (or oars)
और यश िास्प्त हे तु कोलशश न करना
He had a brilliant academic career until he was appointed professor, but ever since then he's
been resting on his laurels.
in bad odour
ककसी के गुथसे का लशकार होना
He's in bad odour with his business partners for having pulled out of the deal at the last
minute.
be well off
िानयशािी होना, िनी होना, समद्

ृ ि होना They're quite well off now.
pour oil on troubled waters
झगडे की आग को बुझाने की कोलशश करना, सुिह कराना

Her presence among us seemed to pour oil on troubled waters, and there was no further
friction for the rest of the meeting.
one of these days
किी-न-किी, समय आने पर
If you keep spending money like this, you're going to get into serious trouble one of these
days.
with open arms
खि
ु े हदि से, उत्साह से
The Indian markets greeted the arrival of the foreign banks with open arms.
an open secret
ऐसा रहथय जो सबको मािूम हो
It's an open secret that both their sons are adopted children.
out of the way
शहर से दरू , असािारर्
It was out of the way for him to praise his staff.

out of place
सही जगह पर नहीं, बेचन

ै ी, अनुपयुक्त
A high school graduate, she felt out of place among all these academics with advanced
degrees.
over and above
के अनतररक्त
The average family spends 40 per cent of its income in taxes, and that's over and above
mortgage, bills, and food.
over and over
बारभबार, कई बार
I've told you over and over that he can't eat spicy food.
rise to the occasion
खद
ु को योनय साबबत करना
It's not easy to play your first match in front of a crowd that size but he certainly rose to the
occasion.
odds and ends
लमिा-जुिा
I've finished putting everything away, except for a few odds and ends.
open to (sth)
के लिए खि
ु ा, के लिए तैयार, नए विचारों को सन
ु ना और सीखना
Most students were open to the Gandhian leader's ideas.

out on the town
शहर से बाहर
Do you want to join us tonight? We're going out on the town.

on the same page
उसी तरह सोचना, एक जैसा सोचना
Before we arrive at any decision today, I'd like to make sure that everyone is on the same
page.
on pins and needles
धचंनतत या उत्तेस्जत ककसी चीज़ को िेकर
She was on pins and needles the whole time, her mother was admitted in the Intensive Case
Unit (ICU).
Exercise
1. chip off the old block
(a) worried (b) a person resembles his father
(c) conceited (d) a wealthy person
2. go into overdrive
(a) think in a similar way (b) start working very hard
(c) to be agreeable to learn (d) celebrate at one or more places
3. odds and ends
(a) remnants (b) self important
(c) defiant (d) besides

4. out of place
(a) additional (b) essential
(c) miscellaneous (d) inappropriate
5. with open arms
(a) warmly (b) poor
(c) shamefully (d) clearly
Answers
1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a)
P
be par for the course
िगिग जो होना है / होगा
Last week the television broke down and then the washing machine-which I'm afraid is par
for the course these days.
not put sth past sb
ककसी को ऐसा समझना कक िह कुछ गित या गैरकानूनी काम कर सकता है I wouldn't put
it past him because he tells a lie or two.
take one's pick
जैसा चाहो
We've got tea, coffee, or hot chocolate-take your pick.

be in the pipeline
होने िािा होना, िम में होना
We have several major property deals in the pipeline.

all over (the place)
सिी तरफ, हर जगह I've looked all over for that book.
fall into place
समझ में आना
With the last witness's testimony, the entire sequence of events fell in place.
be plain sailing
बहुत आसान
The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on.
take the plunge
सोच-विचार के बाद ठोस कदम उठाना I've decided to take the plunge and start up my own
business.
blow sth out of proportion
बढा-चढा कर पेश करना
They had a minor argument in a restaurant but the press has blown it out of all proportion,
speculating about divorce.
the pros and cons
पक्ष और विपक्ष में
We've been discussing the pros and cons of buying a house.

set the pace
दस
ू रों के अनुसरर् के लिए थतर ननिायररत करना
Economic progressin China has set the pace for other Asian countries.
send sb packing
चिे जाने को कहना (क्योकक आप उनसे नाराज़ हैं) There were some kids at the door asking
for money, but I sent them packing
no pain, no gain
विना मेहनत कुछ नहीं लमिता
The leader after becoming the Chief Minister stopped making regular visits to her
constituency and lost her election this time-no pain, no gain.
a pain in the neck
लसरददी, तकिीफदे ह
Her constant complaining is a real pain in the neck.

paint the town red
गुिछरे उडाना, मथती मारना
He finished his exams today and has gone out to paint the town red.
on paper
िाथति में , कागज पर
On paper it could work, but I won't be convinced until I see it for myself.
a paper tiger
हदखने में ताकतिर िेककन िाथति में कमजोर इन्सान होना

Will the United Nations be able to make any difference in people's lives, or is it just a paper
tiger?
below (or under) par
औसत से कम अच्छा
For some reason her work this week has been below par.
be part and parcel of sth
आिचयक अंग
Being recognised in the street is all part and parcel of being famous.
part company
असहमत होना, अिग-अिग होना
Many couples now-a-days part company after their children have grown up.
a (or the) parting of the ways
बबन्द/ु जगह जहाँ से दो व्यस्क्त और संथिा अिग होती हैं
The parting of the ways came after a series of disagreements between the manager and the
group's singer.
the party is over
गभिीर होने का समय, मौज करने का समय खत्म होना
We had a wonderful holiday, but now the party's over and it's back to work for another six
months or so.
pat on the back
पीठ िपिपाना
She deserves a pat on the back for keeping things going while you were away.
pave the way for
नींि रखना
Scientists hope the latest research will pave the way for developing medicines for cancer.
pay the piper
महत्त्िपूर्य ननर्यय िेना
It's not for me to dictate policy in this matter, since I'm not the person who's paying the
piper.
pay through the nose
िारी कीमत दे ना
They had to pay through the nose to spend a week in Goa. But as they can afford it so why I
should worry.
like peas in the pod
लमिता-जि
ु ता होना
The twins are like two peas in a pod - even their mother sometimes has trouble
distinguishing one from the other.
cast (or throw) pearls before swine
िैंस के आगे बीन बजाना
The old professor felt that lecturing on Yoga to unruly undergraduates would be casting
pearls before swine.
a square peg (in a round hole)
बेमेि
She doesn't have the expertise for the job; she's a squire peg in a round hole.
pennies from heaven
अित्यालशत िाि अिभ्य िाि
They sent our cheque ahead of the schedule time-pennies from heaven.
pick and choose
सोच-विचार करके चन
ु ना
He likes small shops where he can pick and choose exactly what he wants.
pick up the pieces
बुरे हािात से बाहर आना
After his wife's death, he found it hard to pick up the pieces and carry on with his life.
pick up the threads
दोबारा से शरू
ु करना विशेषतः समथयाओं से काम रुकने के बाद
In '97, he came out of prison and tried to pick up the threads of his life
be out of the picture
विशेष गनतविधि में शालमि न होना
The local criminals were out of the picture when it came to drug dealers.
a slice (or piece) of the cake (or pie)
िाि का हहथसा
The government has less money to spend on education this year, so primary schools will get
a smaller slice of the cake than last year.
make a (or your) pile (or bundle)
ढे र िगा दे ना (पैसों का )
When the market went up they made a bundle.

move (or go) from pillar to post
एक जगह से दस
ू री जगह जाते रहना / जगह-जगह िटकना
After her husband's death, she had to move from pillar to post to get pension money.
a pillar of society
सामास्जक थतभि
He became a pillar of the society because of his adherence to Gandhian values.

hear a pin drop
खामोशी की िजह से िीमी-से-िीमी आिाज िी सुनना
When he came on stage, one could have heard a pin drop.

feel the pinch
आधियक तंगी का सामना करना, पहिे से कम कमाने की िजह से
When my father lost his job and we had to run the house on mother's meager salary, the
family started to feel the pinch.
in the pink
पर्
ू य थिथि
You're certainly looking in the pink after your holiday.

pipped at (to) the post
िनतयोधगता में हराया जाना

Everyone thought she would win the presidential election but Obama pipped her at the post
at the last minute.
make a pitch for sth/sb
ककसी के हक में कुछ कहना और कुछ करना
The union made a pitch for a reduction in working hours.

a pitched battle
गरमागरम बहस, ियंकर संघषय
There was a pitched battle between police and rioters.

go places
मैदान मारना, सफि होना
Now that she has her doctorate I'm sure she'll go places.
play fair
न्यायपूर्,य ननयमों का पािन करना
Not every supplier we deal with plays fair.

play into sb's hands
अपनी मख
ू त
य ा से दस
ू रों को फायदा दे ना
If we allow terrorists to disrupt our lives to that extent, we're just playing into their hands.
play with fire
आग से खेिना, खतरा मोि िेना
We're playing with fire if we continue with genetic modification of our food.
lose the plot
सनकी होना
The poor old widow has completely lost the plot these days and talks a lot of nonsense.
one's pound of flesh
बकाया, बाकी
The depositors of the bank want their pound of flesh.

keep one's powder dry
शांत, सतकय और कायय के लिए तैयार रहना
All you have to do is keep your powder dry and await orders.
practise what one preaches
जैसा कहना िैसा करना
I would have more respect for him if he practised what he preaches.

put (or place) a premium on
अधिक महत्त्ि दे ना, अधिक मूल्य आंकना
Her employer put a premium on honesty and hard work.

pretty as a picture
आकषयक
She looked pretty as a picture in her new outfit.

sitting pretty
िाि की स्थिनत में
He's sitting pretty now that he's won the lottery.

fall prey to
लशकार होना
His result deteriorated after he fell prey to bad company.

pride of place
सिोच्च थिान
Works by contemporary artists are given pride of place in the exhibition.

prisoner of conscience
जेि में रखना क्योंकक उनके राजनीनतक या िलमयक विचार सरकार के पक्ष में नहीं
After Emergency, the court ordered to release all the prisoners of conscience.
keep pace with
साि चिना, कदम-से-कदम लमिाकर चिना
My legs cannot keep pace with my desires.

be at pains
काफी कोलशश करना
The management was at great pains to stress that there are no plans for closing down the
factory.
pari passu
के साि-साि, समानतया बराबर-बराबर
Inflation and interest rates have been rising pari passu.

be penny-wise and pound-foolish
िोडे पैसे का ध्यान रखना, जयादा के िनत िापरिाह
Saving a little bit of money on repairs can lead to long-term damage. You don't want to be
penny-wise and pound-foolish, now do you?
pick (or poke) holes in sth
कलमयाँ ढूँढना, गिनतयाँ खोजना
The lawyer did her best to pick holes in the witness's statement.
a pig in a poke
बबना जाँचे परख िेना और इसलिए िो बेकार हो
They took the house for a month without knowing a thing about it, so it was a bit of a pig in
a poke for them and I hope they won't regret it.
by truant
बबना अनुमनत अनुपस्थित रहना
Most parents are horrified when they discover their children have been playing truant from
school.
prima facie
ििम दृस्ष्ट में , ित्यक्षतः
They had, prima facie, a legitimate complaint.

hard put (to it)
कहठन िगना
She'll be hard put to buy her own home on what she earns.
the plot thickens
उिझन बढना, और रोमांचकारी होना
It seemed a clear murder case, with the victim's neighbour as the obvious suspect. Suddenly
the plot thickened when the identity of the guilty became known.
have deep pockets
काफी िन होना
Anyone who tries to help that company will need deep pockets-it is nearly bankrupt.
poetic justice
आदशय न्याय
There is a kind of poetic justice in the fact that the country responsible for the worst
ecological disaster this century is the one suffering most from its effects.
point of no return
िापस आने का कोई राथता न बचना
Once the contract is signed, we've reached the point of no return.

ask (or tell) sb point-blank
सीिे-सीिे पछ
ू ना, एकदम से इनकार कर दे ना
He locked himself in the bathroom and refused point-blank to come out.

be poles apart
बहुत अिग विचार होना
You'd never think they both belonged to the same political party- their views on just about
everything are poles apart.
like a man/woman possessed
िूतग्रथत
He'd lost the tickets and was running round the house like a man possessed.
keep sb posted
ननस्चचत करना है कक क्या हो रहा है । Keep me posted on anything that happens while I'm
away.
Exercise
1. In an unlucky/bad situation
(a) beaten a path to someone's door (b) up a creek without a paddle
(c) be beyond a pale (d) have a price on one's head
2. beyond the most useful or productive period
(a) past sb's prime (b) beyond the pale
(c) plain as day (d) petered out
3. sb who always expects bad things to happen
(a) sb who puts foot in mouth (b) a pipe dreamer
(c) a prophet of doom (d) sb who takes a pot shot
4. unacceptable or unwelcome
(a) a pink slip (b) plain as day
(c) peter out (d) persona non-grata
5. At first sight
(a) prima facie (b) a parting shot
(c) a pep talk (d) a party pooper
6. be absent from school, etc. without leave
(a) a pig in a poke (b) playing truant
(c) a party pooper (d) persona non-grata
Answers
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (b)
Q
jump the queue
कतार िाँघना
If you try to jump the queue at a bus stop you'll get shouted at by old ladies.
on the q.t.
गुप-चप
ु , चोरी-नछपे
All this time she'd been making plans on the q.t. to change her job.
queer sb's pitch
ककसी का अिसर बबायद / खराब करना / छीन िेना
She queered my pitch by asking for promotion before I did..

cut sb to the quick
ननन्दा करके परे शान करना
I was cut to the quick by her harsh remarks.

call it quits
रोक दे ना, त्याग दे ना
The relationship had been going from bad to worse and we just decided it was time to call it
quits.
quote, unquote
हदखाना कक आप ककसी और के िाक्यांश इथतेमाि कर रहे हैं विशेषतया जबकक आप नहीं
सोचते की िो िाक्यांश सच हैं
When asked about his choice of profession, he said he wanted to practise law because it's a
quote, unquote 'respected' profession!
in question
वििादाथपद
No new symptoms have been found of the disease in question.

out of the question
विचार के बाहर
He asked for a pay rise but was told it was out of the question for another six months at
least.
a burning question (or issue)
अत्यन्त महत्त्िपर्
ू य
Real estate taxes are always a burning question for local leaders and the builders.
a quantum leap (or jump)
महत्त्िपूर्य सुिार
The election of a female president is a quantum leap forward for sexual equality.
a question mark over sth
योनयता पर शक
The recent spate of government scandals has left a question mark over their ability to
govern.
the million (or sixty-four thousand) dollar question
अहम सिाि
So will she agree to do a movie with him again is the million dollar question.
a quick fix
ककसी समथया का तुरन्त समािान
The truth about dieting is that there is no quick fix. Weight must be lost gradually, over a
period of time.
R
off the record
अनाधिकाररक
She made it clear that her comments were strictly off the record and should not be included
in the article.
set/put the record straight
मामिे का थपष्टीकरर् करना, गितफहमी दरू करना, ककए गए कायों को दरु

ु थत करना
She is writing her memoirs to set the record straight once and for all.
be on the right track
सही राह पर होना
Our success in the opinion polls proves we're on the right track.
serve one right
हािातों के अनस
ु ार सही होना, ककसी को सही राथते पर िाना
That punishment serves him right after what he's done to you.
rip sb off
फायदा उठाना, ककसी को िोखा दे ना (खासकर ककसी चीज की कीमत ज्यादा िे िेने के सन्दिय
में )
The voters have turned against the government because they feel it has been ripping them
off.
rub it in
याद हदिाना (खासकर तब जबकक आप जानते हैं कक िह उस बात को याद नहीं करना चाहता
है )
I know I made a mistake, but you don't have to rub it in.

bend/stretch the rules
अपने हहत के लिए ननयम बदिना

We don't usually let students take books away, but I'm willing to bend the rules on this
occasion.
in the long run
अंततः, किी-न-किी
Their policy was fine for a year or two, but in the long run it proved disastrous.
be on the run
बच ननकिना
A serial killer was on the run last night after escaping from a maximum security prison.
run-of-the-mill
सािारर्, नीरस
It's just a run-of-the-mill war film.

the three Rs
पढना लिखना और गर्ना
Modern education is often accused of forgetting the three Rs in favour of gender issues,
multiculturalism and ecology.
pull the rabbit out of the (or a) hat
अचानक से समथया हि करके सबको है रान कर दे ना
He's one of those players who, just when you think the game's over, can pull a rabbit out of
the hat.
a race against time
समय की कमी की िजह से जल्दी करना, समय को पछाडना
It's a race against time to get the building finished before the rainy season sets in..
on the rack
अत्यधिक तनाि में , अत्यधिक शारीररक या मानलसक कष्ट झेिना
I was on the rack while I waited for the test results.

rack one's brains
हदमाग पर जोर डािना
I've been racking my brains to recall the title of the book he asked me to get.
go from rags to riches
ननियन से िनिान होना
People who go from rags to riches are often afraid the good life will be snatched away from
them.
lose one's rag
धचडधचडा होना, तंग होना
It was the only time I've ever lost my rag with someone in an office situation.
all the rage
ककसी खास समय में ककसी चीज का अत्यधिक िोकविय हो जाना
Striped shirts, so fashionable in the eighties, are all the rage again now.
rain or shine
चाहे ककसी िी हाि में , चाहे कुछ िी हो जाए
We promised we would finish the project tomorrow, rain or shine.

a rainy day
तकिीफ के हदन
He's never been reckless with his money, and always kept something aside for a rainy day.
raise the roof
बहुत शोर मचाना
When the landlord increased the rent, the tenants raised the roof about the lack of repairs
and maintenance.
as thin as a rake
बहुत पतिा
He eats like a horse and yet he's as thin as a rake.

break rank (or ranks)
समह
ू से असहमत होना स्जसके आप सदथय हो
Junior officers were said to be prepared to break ranks with the leadership.
close ranks
लमिकर काम करना, संयुक्त रूप से करना

The members decided to close ranks and confront the president.

rise through the ranks
काम से आगे बढना, मेहनत से ऊँचा उठाना
He's risen through the ranks, starting as a copyboy and ending up as senior editor.
rap sb on (or over) the knuckles
झाडना, डाँटना
He got a good rap on the knuckles from his superior for forgetting to keep expense receipts
take the rap
दोष अपने लसर िेना
I'm not going to take the rap for someone else's mistakes
rattle sb's cage
गुथसा हदिाना ताकक िह बेिकूफ िगे
She tried to rattle his cage with questions about his failed army career.
ray of sunshine
िकाश की ककरर्, आशा
Amid all the gloom, their grandchild has been a real ray of sunshine.
read sb like a book
सही अनुमान िगाना कक कोई क्या सोच रहा होगा
You're bored, aren't you? I can read you like a book.

read the riot act
ज़ोर से डाँटना
When he was caught throwing stones at the windows, the principal read him the riot act.
ready to roll
तैयार रहना, िदशयन के लिए परू ी तरह से तैयार
The new talk show on Sony TV is ready to roll.

reap the harvest
जैसी करनी िैसी िरनी

Urban unemployment is rising. We are reaping the harvest of a lack of development in rural
India.
be at (or on) the receiving end
ग्रहर् करने िािा, झेिने िािा
Sales assistants are often at the receiving end of verbal abuse from customers.
recharge one's batteries
पन
ु ः शस्क्त अस्जयत करना
A week away would give you time to rest and recharge your batteries.
in the red
उिार में
I can't repay you for another couple of weeks because I'm in the red this month.
a red herring
कुछ ऐसा जो िोगों का ध्यान मुख्य विषय से हटे
All this talk about renewable energy sources is a bit of a red herring, and I'd like to return to
the basic argument of the evening.
a red-letter day
सौिानय का हदन
The day our daughter was born was a real red-letter day for us.
see red
आग-बबूिा होना, झुंझिाना
I saw red when I learned they had not invited my friend and his family.
a broken reed
कमजोर सहारा
I'd counted on her help, but she turned out to be a broken reed.
reinvent the wheel
पररितयन करके नयापन िाना, कफर से गढना
Why reinvent the wheel when there are drugs already in the market that are quite
effective?
the line (or path) of least resistance
कियाविधि, काम करने का सबसे आसान राथता
You could always take the line of least resistance and go with the majority vote.
as a (or in the) last resort
अंनतम उपाय के रूप में
British police are supposed to use guns only as a last resort.

without (or no) rhyme or reason
बेतुका
Changes have been made to the text without rhyme or reason.

talk (or speak) in riddles
पहे िी कहना
She keeps talking in riddles, instead of just coming out and saying what she means.
take sb for a ride
िोखेबाज़ी करना, कपट करना, विचिासघात करना
He asked us for guarantee money of 2 lakh, and then took us for a ride by disappearing with
all our money.
from the ashes (or dead)
उिर कर आना, िकट होना, खत्म होने के बाद कफर से स्जन्दा हो जाना
A few months after the earthquake large sections of the city had risen from the ashes.
do a roaring trade
जल्दी से बहुत सारा सामान बेचना
It was a hot day and the ice-cream sellers were doing a roaring trade.
rob Peter to pay Paul
एक थिान से दस
ू रे थिान में जाना या िे जाना, एक से उिार िेकर दस
ू रे को िौटाना
They have planned to borrow money on their gold so as to repay an earlier debt-they're
robbing Peter to pay Paul.
S
get the sack
नौकरी खो दे ना
After the economic downturn, thousands of workers got the sack.

play (it) safe
जोखखम नहीं िेना
They're playing it safe by not investing too much money until they've seen the first year's
accounts.
behind the scenes
गुप्त रूप से, परदे के पीछे
Diplomats have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the peace talks.
from scratch
बबल्कुि शरू
ु से
He lost the entire manuscript in the fire, and had to start the writing from scratch again.
have second thoughts
सोच-विचार में पड जाना, कफर से सोचना
I've had second thoughts about changing my college.

step into sb's shoes
ककसी की जगह िेना
He's groomed his son to step into his shoes when he resigns.
have a shot at sth
कुछ करने की कोलशश करना
He's proven himself to be a talented actor and now he's having a shot at directing his first
play.
by the skin of one's teeth
मुस्चकि से करना
She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth.

sleep like a log/top
गहरी नींद में सोना
I don't know if it had anything to do with the food we had but we slept like a log.
be snowed under
ज्यादा काम की िजह से हदक्कत होना
She wants me to take some time off but I'm snowed under with work at the moment.
stick/stand out (like a sore thumb)
अिग से हदखना, सबसे अिग हदखना
Everyone else was in jeans and casual gear and I had my office clothes on—I stuck out like a
sore thumb.
a sore spot (or point)
शमयनाक बात या गथ
ु से की बात
I tried not to make any reference to family conditions-I know it's a sore point with him at the
moment.
on the spot
घटनाथिि पर मौके पर
If you're caught without a ticket, you're fined on the spot.

on the spur of the moment
तत्काि
It was something I bought on the spur of the moment, and I've regretted it ever since.
state-of-the-art
आिनु नकतम तकनीक यक्

ु त, उच्चतम तकनीक
We are planning to install a state-of-the-art online information system accessible to all

library members.
keep a straight face
अपने आप को हँ सने से रोकना

The school orchestra played so many wrong notes that I had trouble keeping a straight face.
not by any stretch of the imagination
ककसी िी तरह से नहीं
She was never a great player, not by any stretch of the imagination.
a stumbling block
अिरोि, बािा
Lack of willingness to compromise is the main stumbling block to reaching a settlement.

follow suit
अनुकरर् करना
If other companies lower their prices, we shall have to follow suit.

a sweet tooth
लमठाई का शौकीन
You can always please her with cake or ice cream; she has a big sweet tooth.
be in the saddle
ककसी हाित पर काबू होना
With a new leader firmly in the saddle the party looks set for victory at the next election.
sail close to (or near) the wind
िगिग हिा के िनतकुि चिना, जोखखम उठाना, खतरा मोि िेना
We may have just enough fuel to get there, but we'll be sailing a bit close to the wind.
take sth with a pinch (or grain) of salt
नमक लमचय िगाकर, संहदनि रूप में
It's interesting to read the reports in the newspapers, but I tend to take them with a grain of
salt.
worth one's salt
िायक होना
Give him a job for a month and see if he's worth his salt.
good Samaritan
नेक आदमी
In this neighborhood you can't count on a good Samaritan if you get in trouble.
one and the same
एक ही व्यस्क्त, एक समान
Her grandfather had been, at one and the same time, a physician and a carpenter.
same here
मैं िी
"I couldn't sleep because of the noise." "The same with me."
save the day
कुछ ऐसा करना स्जससे समथया का समािान हो
The police inspector saved the day by arriving just in time to shoot the kidnappers and
rescue the hostages.
save one's skin
असफिता या परे शाननयों से िचना
He was interested only in saving his own skin, and was one of the first people into a lifeboat.
turn the scale (or balance)
पक्षपात करना, हािात विपरीत हो जाना
Just one more mistake will turn the scale against them.
settle (or pay) a (or the) score
बदिा िेना
Police believe the killer was a gang member settling a score with a rival gang.
from scratch
शरू
ु से
We lost all our work in the fire and had to start from scratch.
tighten the screw
दबाि डािना
They said they'd tighten the screws on her if she didn't confess.
all at sea
उिझन में होना
She was all at sea in these new surroundings.

set (or put) the seal on
सहमनत दे ना, मोहर िगाना
The ambassador's visit set the seal on the trade agreement between the two countries.
second to none
सिोत्तम
The hotel's restaurant facilities are second to none.

seize the day
िविष्य की धचंता न करते हुए, अिसर का िाि उठाना
Seize the day, young man. You may never get the chance to embark on such an adventure
again.
set the wheel in motion
चािू अिथिा में िाना, कायय आरभि करना
A press conference set the new project in motion.

set the world on fire (or alight)
बहुत नाम कमाना
An ambitious man, he longed to set the world on fire with his ideas.
shake the dust off your feet
ककसी अविय घटना से जल्दी से ननकिना (हमेशा के लिए)
I couldn't wait to shake the dust from my feet; I never wanted to see veither of them again.
shake a leg
जल्दी करना
Come on, shake a leg! The film starts in 20 minutes.

the shape of things to come
िविष्य में सफि होने के लिए

Is shopping on the Internet the shape of things to come?

come out of one's shell
संकोच से बाहर आना
Joining the drama group has brought her out of her shell.
take the shine off sth
मजा खराब करना
Having my purse stolen took the shine off my vacation in Kashmir.

talk shop
अपनी कारोबारी बातें करना
I decided to leave the party early, knowing they'd do nothing but talk shop for the rest of
the evening.
a shot in the arm
िोत्साहन, नैनतक सहायता
The opening of a new research centre will give a much-needed shot in the arm for science in
India.
stay on the sidelines
सकियात्मक रूप से शालमि न होना
The majority of western countries decided to stay on the sidelines during the crisis in the
Middle East.
set one's sights on
उद्दे चय होना, अपना िक्ष्य ननिायररत करना
She's set her sights on law school.

sink or swim
डूबना या पार िगना
You are not supposed to take decisions for children forever; sooner or later they have to be
left to sink or swim on their own.
at sixes and sevens
परे शानी में , उिझन में
The new online test was so complicated that it left the students at sixes and sevens.
a skeleton in the cupboard (or closet)
कोई गुप्त पाररिाररक रहथय, शमयनाक रहथय
If you want to be a successful politician, you can't afford to have too many skeletons in your
cupboard.
develop/have a thick skin
मोती चमडी करना, फकय न पडना, िेशमय होना
As a politician, you get so much criticism levelled at you that you eventually develop a thick
skin.
the sky's the limit
कोई सीमा न होना
With two important film roles and a major award, it seems like the sky's the limit for this
talented young actress.
a slap in the face
बेइज्जती करना
The decision to close the sports hall was a slap in the face for all those who had campaigned
to keep it open.
a slap on the back
पीठ िपिपना, िशंसा करना
We gave her a big slap on the back for helping to organize the concert.
up one's sleeve
गुप्त विचार
If this trip doesn't work out I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve.
sleight of hand
हाि की सफाई, छिकपट
They made the sales figures look semi-respectable, by some discreet sleight of hand in the
presentation of their accounts.
give sb the slip
िाग ननकिना
He's a wanted man, but he keeps managing to give the police the slip.
let sth slip through one's fingers
मौका हाि से ननकिना
We could have won the trophy but we let it slip through our fingers.
slip of the tongue (or pen)
अनजाने में बोिते हुए गिती करना
Did I say she was forty? I meant fourteen-just a slip of the tongue.
the wee (small) hours
सिेरे-सिेरे
I was up till the small hours of Wednesday morning finishing off that report.
shed (or spill) blood
खन
ू बहाना
A great deal of blood has been spilled in this family feud.

smell a rat
दाि में कािा िगना
When I didn't hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat.
go up in smoke
पूरी तरह से नष्ट होना, व्यिय होना
Then his business went bankrupt and 20 years of hard work went up in smoke.
no smoke without fire
शक या अफिाह ननरािार नहीं होते
When the sales figures continued strong but the company still wasn't making money, he
suspected something was wrong-there's no smoke without fire.
a snake in the grass
आथतीन का साँप
It's upsetting to learn that someone you once viewed as a good colleague is in fact a snake
in the grass.
sober as a judge
बबल्कुि ननष्पक्ष
It was too soon after the funeral for him to enjoy himself, and he just sat there sober as a
judge.
pull one's socks up
कडी मेहनत करना
He's going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.
for a song
कौडी के मोि
It's a magnificent painting, and yet I was able to pick it up for a song.
be on song
बेहतर िदशयन करना
Our star player looked a bit tired in last Saturday's match but he's certainly on song today.
it takes all sorts
सिी िोग अिग-अिग हैं, अजीब िोगों को िी अपनाना चाहहए
Look at the couple next door. They fight like dogs every morning and go to party in the
evenings. Well, it takes all sorts, as they say.
be out of sorts
अथिथि, उदास
She was feeling rather out of sorts this morning, so she didn't go to work today.
in the soup
मुसीबत में
We'll be really in the soup if the car breaks down.

call a spade a spade
खरा-बोिना, साफ-साफ बोिना
You know me; I call a spade a spade and when I see someone behaving like an idiot.
a spanner in the works
ककसी के काम के बीच में आने िािी बािा
Our rivals tried to throw a spanner in the works and yet we could start the new project on
time.
speak for itself
और अधिक थपष्टीकरर् की आिचयकता नहीं होना, ित्यक्ष को िमार् की आिचयकता
नहीं होती है
I'm not going to talk about our business successes. I think the report speaks for itself.
speak one's mind
मन की बात कहना
She's not afraid to speak her mind, even if it upsets people.

speak volumes
बबना शब्दों के सही स्थिनत बताना
What we wear speaks volumes about our personality.

make a splash
तहिका मचाना
It wasn't a best-seller but it did make quite a splash in literary circles.

put a spoke in sb's wheel
मुस्चकिें बढाना (ककसी के लिए)
The building was almost finished when the planning department came along and put a real
spoke in their wheel: they were told that proper permission was not obtained for the
construction.
set the stage for sth
कुछ सभिि करना, आिार तैयार करना
The purpose of that first meeting was to set the stage for future co-operation between
China and the US.
reach for the stars
जो बहुत कहठन है उसे पाने की कोलशश करना
Despite his humble family background and poor education, he wanted to reach for the stars.
stay put
रूका रहना
I'm not taking a holiday this time; I'll rather stay put in the comfort of my own home and
have a rest.
stand sb in good stead
अनुििी, अच्छा आिार होना
She hoped that being editor of the school magazine would stand her in good stead for a
career in journalism later on.
steal the show
दशयकों का हदि जीत िेना
All the singers were good, but the 12-year-old participant stole the show.
T
Take it or leave it
अपना िेना या छोड दे ना
That's my final offer. Take it or leave it.

in the teeth of sth
के विपरीत, के बािजूद
The act finally passed through the Parliament in the teeth of the fiercest opposition.
in the long/medium/short term
किी-न-किी
Cuts in company spending now should lead to profits in the long term.
come to terms with it
मान िेना, थिीकार कर िेना
It's very hard for her coming to terms with the fact that she'll never have children.
wear thin
नघस दे ना, ििािहीन होना
After a long wait in the queue, his patience began to wear thin and he went away.
ram sth down sb's throat
जबरदथती से सुनाना और मनिाना
And although he's got very strong views on such subjects, he doesn't try to ram them down
your throat.
be at each other's throats
िोि से तकय-वितकय करना
It was a very dramatic trial, with the prosecutor and the defense attorney constantly at each
other's throats.
be on the tip of one's tongue
कहने के लिए तैयार होना पर ऐन मौके पर याद न कर पाना, हमेशा जुबान पर रहना
I met him last year and his name is on the tip of my tongue-it'll come to me in a minute.
tit-for-tat
जैसे को तैसा
It had all the hallmarks of a dirty feud, each party giving tit-for-tat
keep sb on their toes
सतकयता बनाए रखना
When the visiting side scored the first goal, we all were frightened - but that was enough to
keep us on our toes for the rest of the match.
bite one's tongue
कुछ कहने से रुकना क्योंकक ये बोिने से अच्छा होगा ( जबकक तुम खद

ु ...)
I really wanted to tell her what I thought of him but I had to bite my tongue.
be (or go) over the top
काबू से बाहर, जरूरत से ज्यादा होना
I know he was angry, but attacking the waiter was way over the top.
on top of sth
बेहतर स्थिनत में
Our legislator always manages to be on top of the issues.

be in touch
सभपकय में होना
Are you still in touch with your school friends?

be out of touch
संपकय से बाहर होना
Since his retirement he's got rather out of touch with trends and fads in the industry.
keep track of sth/sb
िेख करना, जानकारी में न होना, ककसी चीज या व्यस्क्त के बारे में जानकारी ननस्चचत करना
कक िह ककस स्थिनत में है
She finds it very difficult to keep track of her bank balance.

put two and two together
सबूतों के तौर पर ननष्कषय पर पहुँचना
Putting two and two together, it's not hard to guess who will be chosen for the lead role in
the play.
turn the tables
पाँसा पिट दे ना, बाजी उिट दे ना
Steffi won her first three matches but today Mary turned the tables and prevailed.
a tall order
अनुधचत माँग
I know it's a bit of a tall order, but could you finish the job by Monday?
in tandem
एक के पीछे एक, आगे-पीछे
The new system is designed to be used in tandem with the existing communications
network.
it takes two to tango
दोनों के सहयोग से होना
We'll never pass this bill unless both parties work out a compromise it takes two to tango.
ear sb\sth to shreds
की िस्ज्जयाँ उडा दे ना
The critics tore his performance to shreds.

on tenterhooks
घबराकर इन्तजार करना कक क्या होगा
We were kept on tenterhooks all morning waiting for his decision.

test the water
साििानी से कोलशश करना या िीरे से पहुँच करना
Perhaps you should go to a couple of meetings to test the waters before you decide
whether to join the club.
been there, done that
संकेत दे ना कक अनुिि को दोहराना िकाने िािा है
Asked if they'd like to visit the Qutub Minar, one of them shook his head and muttered,
'Been there, done that'.
think on one's feet
सोचना और शीघ्र िनतकिया करना, शीघ्र ननर्यय िेना
Reporters bombarded him with difficult questions, but he was very good at thinking on his
feet.
hang by thread
खतरे या अस्थिर हाित में होना
With the lead actor sick, the success of our play hung by a thread.
lose the thread
अहम ् मुद्दा का अनुसरर् न कर पाना
It was such a long and complicated story that I soon lost the thread.
throw in one's hand
हार मान िेना, पररत्याग करना
I know it's unlikely that I'll get the job but I'm not going to throw in my hand just yet.
throw in the towel
हार मान िेना
Three of the original five candidates have now thrown in the towel.
throw one's weight behind sb (or around )
अपनी ताकत और ििाि का इथतेमाि ककसी को सहारा दे ने के लिए करना
If we could persuade the chairman to throw his weight behind the plan, it would have a
much better chance of success.
thumbs up or down
सहमनत का धचन्ह
Today's by-election results are yet another clear thumbs down for an unpopular
government.
what makes sb tick
ककसी व्यस्क्त के व्यिहार का कारर् समझना
We've never figured out what makes these chess players tick.
swim (or go) against the current (or tide )
हािात के विपरीत काम करना
I'm voting for him even if that is swimming against the current.
tip sb the wink (or nod)
चोरी से सूचना दे ना, इशारा करना
So if you hear of any vacancies in your department, just tip me the wink, would you ?
be the toast of sb
ककसी समूह द्िारा िशंसा ककया जाना
After rave reviews of her play, she is the toast of the town.
on one's toes
होलशयार रहना, सतकय रहना
You have to be on your toes all day if you are teaching a class of 10-year-olds.
toe the line
हुकुम बजाना, पािन करना
Ministers who refused to toe the party-line were swiftly got rid of.
Tom, Dick and (or) Harry
कोई िी
Draw the curtains or we'll have every Tom, Dick and Harry peering through the window.
as if there was/were no tomorrow
बहुत जल्दी से और उत्सुकता से
Hungry and exhausted, he gobbled down the bread as if there were no tomorrow.
tongue-in-cheek
मजाक में , मजाककया
She writes a very engaging and at times tongue-in-cheek account of her first interaction
with the film starts.
fight tooth and nail
जी जान से िडना
I'm going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion.

on top of the world
हर चीज़ में बढकर, खश

ु ी से िरा
She was on top of the world after her child won first prize.
lose one's touch
उतने अच्छे से कम न कर पाना
I used to make beautiful cakes but I seem to have lost my touch.

tread (or step) on sb's toes
दस
ू रों के कामों में घुसकर दस
ू रों को नाराज करना
I'd like to make some changes to the working procedures, but I don't want to tread on
anyone's toes.
tread water
ककसी िी हदशा में आगे नहीं बढना
I'm just treading water until I get an opportunity to try for a job with more responsibility.
trial and error
ियत्न- त्रहु ट सभबन्िी, ियत्न त्रहु ट विधि से परीक्षर्
By trial and error he has taught himself how to use a computer.

in a trice
चट
ु की बजाते, पिक झपकते ही
He came back in a trice.

do the trick
अपना उद्दे चय परू ा करना
If the sauce tastes a bit sour, add a teaspoon of sugar-that should do the trick.
tricks of the trade
नौकरी को बेहतर करने के पैतरे / तरीके

As a journalist, you learn the tricks of the trade pretty quickly or you don't survive.
a Trojan horse
अपनी ही समूह या संथिा पर आिमर् करना
Traditional communist supporters have accused the new leadership of being a Trojan horse
trying to destroy the party from within.
on the trot
िगातार कई चीजें करना
It's been a good year for the Indian athletic team as it could win three international
competitions on the trot.
have (or want) no truck with
ककसी के साि सभबन्ि रखने से इनकार करना
Our committee will have no truck with communal parties.

be tuned in
पता होना कक क्या हो रहा है
She just doesn't seem to be tuned in to her students' needs.

talk turkey
खल्
ु िमखुल्िा कहना, ईमानदारी से साफ-साफ बातचीत करना
If the two sides in the dispute are to meet, they must be prepared to talk turkey.
turn turtle
उिट जाना
The bus turned turtle in the crash, and there were several wounded passengers.
twist sb's arm
इच्छा के खखिाफ काम करिाने के लिए बाध्य करना
He might help us with the painting if you twist his arm.

take one's cue from sb
दस
ू रे के शब्दों और व्यिहार पर ध्यान रखना ताकक तभ
ु हे पता रहे कक तभ
ु हे क्या करना
चाहहए
She watched his lips carefully and took her cue from him.
take sb to task
कुछ गित ककए हुए के लिए ननन्दा करना / डाँटना
The teacher took him to task for turning in such a sloppy report.
take it upon oneself
उत्तरदानयत्ि िेना, स्जभमेदारी िेना
I took it upon myself to count the precise number of children in the audience.
tar sb with the same brush
िैसा ही करना या मानना, एक ही छडी से सबको हाँकना
I admit that some of our supporters do cause trouble but it's not fair that we're all being
tarred with the same brush.
come to terms
समझौता करना
The landlord and his tenants soon came to terms regarding repairs.
through thick and thin
सख
ु दःु ख में
She remained loyal to the party through thick and thin.

at times
किी-किी यदा-कदा
Away from home for the first time, she was homesick at times.
time and again
बारभबार, बार-बार
Time and again I go to town and spend loads of money.

to and fro
आगे-पीछे , इिर-उिर
I was disturbed by all the people walking to and fro outside the office.
the top-notch
उच्चतम कोहट का, बेहतरीन

We need to offer high salaries to attract top-notch staff.

be touch-and-go
संकटपूर्,य अननस्चचत
After the accident it was touch-and-go whether she would survive.

the tout ensemble
कुि लमिाकर, लमिाजि

ु ाकर
The tout ensemble, the movie was not so bad.

take in tow
पि िदशयन करना
The senior girl took the new student in tow.

U
an ugly duckling
नछपा रुथतम
The most successful company this year was last year's ugly duckling.
in no uncertain terms
ििािपूर्य तरीके से, सुथपष्ट रूप से
She told him in no uncertain terms that if he bothered her again she'd call the police.
be up against it
कहठनाइयों का सामना करना
When I saw how deeply the racist views were held, I began to understand what we were up
against.
gain (or have) the upper hand
िित्ु ि िाप्त करना, आधिपत्य करना
Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand over the rebel forces.
the upper crust
िनी और सभपन्न िगय
She wanted badly to be one of the upper crust but it wasn't going to happen.
all up with sb
आशारहहत, आशा खो दे ना
It must be all up now with finding any survivors - they couldn't have survived long in this
cold.
up in arms
िडने को तैयार होना, बहस करना
The whole office is up in arms at the news.

ups and downs
उतार-चढाि
We all have our ups and downs in life.

take umbrage
नाराज होना, बरु ा मानना
I take umbrage from the fact that you have been telling all these stories about me.
up-and-coming
होनहार
He's an up-and-coming businessman with a bright future.

an uphill struggle (or task)
बहुत कहठन
Environmentalists face an uphill struggle convincing people to use their cars less.
trumped-up
मनगढन्त आरोप िगाकर फँसाना ताकक सजा हदििाई जा सके They tried to have the
teenage boy arrested on a trumped-up charge.
twenty-four/seven (24/7)
हमेशा, हर समय
You can access our web site 24/7. It's very convenient.
take over (sth)
कब्ज़ा कर िेना, हाि में िे िेना
The foreign insurance company is out to take over some of the small companies in our area.
take place
घहटत होना
The festival celebrations took place on the coldest day of the year.
V
beyond a shadow of doubt
सुननस्चचत रूप से
His innocence is now proved beyond a shadow of doubt.

draw a veil over
ककसी चीज के बारे में बात न करना (क्योंकक हदक्कत होगी), ककसी चीज़ पर परदा डािना
Some very cruel things were said in the heat of the moment, but we'll draw a veil over all
that.
with a vengeance
िनतशोि, िनतहहंसा
He's been working with a vengeance over the past few weeks to make up for lost time.
vent one's spleen
थपष्ट रूप से कहना, थपष्ट उच्चारर् करना
Politicians used the press conference as an opportunity to vent their spleen on reporters.
make a virtue of necessity
मजबूरी को नेकी बना िेना
Since I can't break the contract, I am trying to make a virtue of necessity.

a lone voice in the wilderness
उजाड में अकेिा िक्ता
With her passionate pleas for peace, she was a lone voice in the wilderness.
vice versa
विपरीत िम से, उल्टे िम से
He doesn't trust her, and vice versa.

volte-face
पक्ष पररितयन
In the early 90's he made a complete political volte-face, moving from the Congress to the
CPM.
a vicious circle
हदक्कतों का नघराि, चिव्यूह
They won't give me a job until I get some experience, but I can't get any experience until
somebody will give me a job - it's a real vicious circle.
vis-à-vis
की तुिना में , के विषय में
The current strength of the dollar vis-à-vis other currencies makes it hard selling American
products overseas.
fill the void
जरूरत की चीज दे ना या लमिना, िर दे ना
Religion helped me fill a void in my life.

W
drive sb up the wall
गुथसा हदिाना, पका दे ना
Working in a factory would have driven me up the wall.

be (like) water off a duck's back
स्जसका कोई पररर्ाम न हो
He's always being told he's lazy and incompetent, but it's just water off a duck's back to him.
be/feel under the weather
बीमार महसस
ू करना
I'm feeling a little under the weather-I think I may have caught a cold.
pull one's weight
समूह के दस
ू रे िोगों की तरह मेहनत करना
The rest of the team complained that she wasn't pulling her weight.
be wide of the mark
गित होना
We were asked to guess the right answer, but we were all rather wide of the mark.
get a word in edgeways
बातचीत के दौरान कुछ कहने का मौका न पाना
As usual, she talked and talked, and nobody else could get a word in edgeways.
have one's work cut out
अपने कायय करने के ढं ग को पहिे से तैयार कर िेना / या सोच िेना
We're training a completely new team, so we've got our work cut out for us.
be out of this world
अद्िुत िनतिा का
The hotel, the climate, the courtesy of the people and the whole atmosphere of the place
were out of this world.
the best of both worlds
दो तरफा िाि लमिना (जो आम आदमी को नहीं लमिता )
She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds.
get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick
गित समझना
Her friend saw us arrive at the party together and got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
rub sb up the wrong way
अनजाने में नाराज करना
I don't know how it happened, but I seem to have rubbed her up the wrong way, and now
she refuses to speak to me.
walk all over sb
बुरा बतायि करना
The boss likes to walk all over his staff, so no one is very fond of him.
go to the wall
आधियक रूप से बबायद करना
After nine months of massive losses, the company finally went to the wall.
be up against a brick wall
गनतविधि / इच्छा पूरी न होना
I've tried everywhere I can think of for funding but I've come up against a brick wall.
be out of this world
अद्िुत िनतिा का
The hotel, the climate, the courtesy of the people and the whole atmosphere of the place
were out of this world.
the best of both worlds
दो तरफा िाि लमिना (जो आम आदमी को नहीं लमिता )
She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds.
get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick
गित समझना
Her friend saw us arrive at the party together and got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
rub sb up the wrong way
अनजाने में नाराज करना
I don't know how it happened, but I seem to have rubbed her up the wrong way, and now
she refuses to speak to me.
walk all over sb
बरु ा बतायि करना
The boss likes to walk all over his staff, so no one is very fond of him.
go to the wall
आधियक रूप से बबायद करना
After nine months of massive losses, the company finally went to the Wwwall.
be up against a brick wall
गनतविधि / इच्छा पूरी न होना
I've tried everywhere I can think of for funding but I've come up against a brick wall.
a war of nerves
एक ऐसी नीनत स्जसमें दस

ू रे का मनोबि धगरा हदया जाता है
The boy was nothing more than a bully, who kept up a little war of nerves against all the
timid children in his class.
a war of words
मौखखक िडाई
The war of words between the two rivals continues to dominate the news bulletins.
wash one's hands of
शालमि होने या स्जभमेदार होने से इनकार करना
I warned them that if they continued arguing with neighbours over petty matters, I would
have to wash my hands of their irresponsible behaviour.
watch one's back
िोगों से सतकय रहना
It's a rough neighbourhood so watch your back when you're walking around the streets.
go out of one's way
जरूरत से ज्यादा परे शानी िेना
He went out of his way to introduce me to everyone there.

on the way out
परु ाना हो जाना, कम बबकना
Full-size cars are on their way out.

the way of the world
दनु नया का दथतूर
The Parliamentarian, as is the way of the world, awarded upon themselves a massive pay
rise.
ways and means
कोई िी चीज़ हालसि करने का उपाय या तरीका
We are inquiring into the various ways and means of reducing the costs of this assignment.
fall by the wayside
हार मान िेना
A lot of students fall by the wayside during their first year at university.
the weak link
कमजोर कडी
It's a strong team, though the goalkeeper may be a weak link because he's rather
inexperienced.
make heavy weather of sth
कुछ करते हुए कहठनाई का सामना करना
He's making heavy weather of writing his report and on the other hand she finished hers
days ago.
be a load (or weight) off your mind
धचंतामक्
I'm so relieved I don't have to give a speech-it's a real load off my mind.
be worth one's weight in gold
बहुत उपयोगी होना
Book that could tell me in simple language how to use this computer would be worth its
weight in gold.
a wet blanket
दस
ू रों का काम खराब करने िािा
He had a bad headache so he left the party early, not wanting to be a wet blanket on such a
happy occasion.
wheels within wheels
जहटि तथ्य या उद्दे चय या रूपरे खा
It's difficult to find out just which government agency is responsible; there are wheels within
wheels.
come within a whisker of sth
अपने आप होना, ककसी चीज़ के नज़दीक अपने आप आ जाना
Several times on his trek through the mountains he came within a whisker of death.
blow the whistle on
ककसी संथिा या व्यस्क्त के छुपे राज खोिने की कोलशश करना
He had to face the wrath of the management when he tried to blow the whistle on the
safety problems at the factory.
a white elephant
कफजूिखची, ऐसी िथतु या ऐसा व्यस्क्त स्जस पर पैसा खचाय करना बबल्कुि बेकार हो
Our ancestral house is a white elephant; no one wants to live there but it's too precious to
discard.
a white knight
जो दस
ू रे की सहायता के लिए आगे आए
Now that the company is facing a hostile takeover bid, it is looking for a white knight to
rescue it.
whoop it up
'िमाचौकडी मचाना, मथती करना

After exams they decided to whoop it up at their apartment.

on a sticky wicket
मुस्चकि में
Though he has done his best to satisfy his creditors, he is still on a very sticky wicket.
spread like wildfire
जंगि की आग की तरह फैिना
Stories of scandals don't need newspapers or TVs to spread like wildfire around here.
a wild goose chase
मूखत
य ापूर्य खोज
The police team gave a wild goose chase to catch the thieves.
get wind of sth
िनक िगना
I don't want my boss to get wind of the fact that I'm leaving so I'm not telling many people.
gone with the wind
िप्ु त हो जाना
With these unforeseen expenses, our profits are gone with the wind.
take the wind out of sb's sails
रुकािट डािना, हिा ननकाि दे ना
When the CBI found evidence of tax evasion from his accounts, it took the wind out of the
social leader's sails.
old wine in new bottle
नए रूप में पुराने विचार
The government's new land policy is old wine in new bottle.

waiting in the wings
ककसी जगह रखा जाना, ककसी चीज़ के लिए ितीक्षारत ्
The rumour is that he will be sacked and his younger brother is waiting in the wings to take
over as the new manager.
under one's wing
ककसी की दे खिाि में
He's been suffering badly from culture shock and homesickness, so we've taken him under
our wing for a few months to help him to settle down in this country.
as quick as a wink
तेजी से
Quick as a wink, he snatched the book and ran out of the room.
wipe the floor with sb
आसानी से हरा दे ना
She is really good at debates; she'll wipe the floor with them.
wipe the slate clean
नए लसरे से शुरूआत करना
His boss assured him that the matter was finished and he could start with a clean slate.
be at one's wits' end
हार सभिि कोलशश करके िक जाना या परे शान हो जाना
It's a serious problem, and she's at her wits' end to know how she can resolve it.
scare (or frighten) sb out of one's wits
अत्यन्त ियिीत कर दे ना
Don't shout like that-you scared me out of my wits!

throw sb to the wolves
मुसीबत बढाना
Instead of getting any support from the police, they threw me to the wolves.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
लमत्र के रूप में दचु मन होना
on the surface very warm and charming, proved to be My next boss, something of a wolf in
sheep's clothing.
a nine days' wonder
हदनों के लिए तहिका मचाने िािी खबर या व्यस्क्त कुछ

His music was derided by an older generation convinced that he was a nine days' wonder.
work (or do) wonders
आचचययजनक ििाि
Extra water in the diet is generally beneficial to the health and it works wonders for the skin.
not out of the woods
सि
ु ार के बाद िी हदक्कत होना
Financially, things are looking distinctly more hopeful, but we're not out of the woods yet.
touch wood
जैसा चाहो िैसा ही रहने की इच्छा जताना
It's been fine all week and, touch wood, it would stay fine for the weekend.
a man of few words
कम बोिने िािा
A man of few words, he hardly seemed like a successful lawyer.

sb's word is law
ककसी के शब्दों का ननयम की तरह पािन होना
There's no use questioning any of his rules - his word is law around here.
take sb's word for it
ककसी के कहे गए शब्दों को सच्चा मान िेना
If you say you've checked the genuineness of the bills, I'll take your word for it.
by word of mouth
मौखखक रूप से
I think she heard about the job by word of mouth.

a word to the wise
कुछ कहना जब ककसी को सिाह दे नी हो
A word to the wise - don't walk down that street after dark, because it's not safe.
work to rule
कम काम करना (झगडे की िजह से )

The polishers are working to rule in protest at the decision to close more diamond polishing
units.
the world is your oyster
पूर्य थितन्त्र होना
You're young and healthy and you've got no commitments, so the world is your oyster.
if the worst comes to the worst
से बरु े से बरु ा होना
If the worst came to the worst, we will sell our house to raise extra cash.
keep sth under wraps
रहथय, ककसी चीज़ को छुपा कर या गुप्त रखना
The identity of the buyer is still under wraps.

be writ large
थपष्ट
Anger was writ large on the demonstrators' faces.

nothing to write home about
सच
ू ना िायक न होना
I've had a pretty tough time in office this week, but it's been routine stuff mostly with
nothing very special to write home about.
Y
since/from the year dot
बहुत िभबे समय से या िाचीन समय से
Children have been fascinated by ghost stories since the year dot.
yes and no
कुछ मामिे में हाँ कुछ में ना, िोडा-बहुत
“Did you enjoy yourself?" “Yes and no, I liked the story but hated the actors.”
a yes man
जी हजरू ी करना, चमचा
He denies that he's simply a yes man, and insists he'll be making a major contribution
towards reviving his department.
PHRASAL VERB
Phrasal Meaning Examples
Verb
Abide by respect or obey. (the law, a decision, a If you want to stay at this
rule) school, you must abide by the
rules.
Account explain, give a reason I hope you can account for the
for money you spent!
Add up make sense, seem reasonable Her story just doesn't add up.
Advise recommend not doing something The doctor advised him against
against carrying heavy loads.
Agree have the same opinion as somebody else. I agree with you. I think she
with deserves the award too.
Aim at point something in the direction of a The policeman aimed his gun
target at the hijacker.
Allow for take into consideration, include in a You'd better leave early to
calculation allow for traffic jams.
Appeal to 1. plead or make an earnest request 1. The organizers appealed to
2. be attractive or the crowd to stay calm.
interesting 2. A trekking holiday doesn't
appeal to me.
Apply for make a formal request for something, He applied for the job he saw
(job, permit, loan etc.) advertised in the newspaper.
Avail take advantage of something (an When the company is
(oneself) opportunity) privatized, you should avail
of yourself of the opportunity and
buy some shares.
List of Phrasal Verbs – 2

Verb
Back move backwards, in fear or dislike When he saw the dog, he backed
away away.
Back withdraw, concede defeat Local authorities backed down on
down their plans to demolish the building.
Back up 1. give support or encouragement 1. If I tell the boss we've got too
2. make a copy of (file, program, much work, will you back me up?
etc.)
2. It is recommended to back up all

files in a secure location.
Bail out 1. pay money to secure someone's 1. When he was arrested, his family
release refused to bail him out.
2. rescue from financial difficulties 2. The government bailed out the
bank.
Bank on base your hopes on Don't forget the date. I'm banking on
someone/something your help.
Boil be summarized as The problem boils down to a lack of
down to money.
Boot up start a computer by loading an Just give me a few minutes to boot
operating system or program. up the computer.
Break escape from captivity A few horses broke away from the
away paddock.
Break 1. go out of order, cease to function 1. Nitish's car broke down so he had
down 2. lose control of one's emotions to take the bus.
2. The parents broke down when
they heard the bad news.
Break enter by force Burglars broke into the house
into around midnight.
Break out start suddenly Rioting broke out as a result of the
strike.
Break out escape from a place by force Three prisoners broke out of jail.
of
Break up come to an end (marriage, After her marriage broke up, Seema
relationship) went to live in London.
Bring up raise (a child) She stopped working in order to
bring up her children.
Brush up improve, refresh one's knowledge Meena had to brush up on her
on of something English before going to America.
Bump meet by accident or unexpectedly Padma bumped into her English
into teacher at the supermarket.
Burn out 1. stop (something) working 1. The fuse has burnt out.
2. become exhausted from over- 2. Tom will burn himself out if he
working doesn't slow down.

Verb
Call back return a phone call I'll call you back as soon as possible.
Call off cancel The meeting was called off because of

the strike.
Call formally invite or request I now call upon the President to address
on/upon the assembly.
Calm down become more relaxed, less He was angry at first but he eventually
angry or upset calmed down.
Carry on continue He carried on gardening in spite of the
rain.
Carry out 1. do something as 1. The plan was carried out to
specified (a plan, an order, a perfection.
threat) 2. Tests are carried out to determine the
2. perform or conduct (test, efficiency of a new drug.
experiment)
Carry over postpone until later As regards holidays, can you carry over
any days from one year to the next?
Check in register at a hotel or airport For security reasons you have to check
in two hours before your flight.
Check out 1. pay one's bill and leave (a 1. Is Mr. Kumar still at the hotel? No,
hotel) he checked out this morning.
2. investigate 2. I don't know if the address is still
valid. I'll check it out.
Clam up refuse to speak When the teacher arrived she clammed
up.
Clamp act strictly to prevent The government has decided to clamp
down on something down on smoking in public places.
Come 1. find by chance 1. Veena came across some photographs
across 2. appear, seem, make an of her grandparents in the store room.
impression 2. The candidate came across as a
dynamic person during the interview.
Come present oneself The police have asked any witnesses to
forward come forward.
Come up be faced with or opposed by The project came up against a lot of
against criticism.
Count on rely or depend on (for help) I'm counting on the taxi driver to find
the theatre.
Cross out remove by drawing a line In some exercises, you are asked to
through cross out the incorrect word.
Cut down reduce in number or size The doctor told him to cut down on
on cigarettes.
Cut out 1. remove using scissors 1. She cut out a picture in a magazine.
2. stop doing something 2. I'm going to cut out eating between
meals.

Verb
Deal with handle, take care of (problem, The manager is good at dealing with
situation) difficult customers.
Die down calm down, become less strong When the applause died down, she
started to sing.
Do manage without The shops are closed so we'll have to
without do without sugar.
Drag on last longer than expected We expected a short speech but it
dragged on and on!
Draw up write (contract, agreement, An agreement was drawn up and
document) signed by the two parties.
Dress up 1. wear elegant clothes 1. Do people dress up to go to the
2. disguise oneself opera in your country?
2. Children love to dress up at
Halloween.
Drop in visit, usually on the way I sometimes drop in to see my
somewhere grandparents on my way home from
school.
Drop off 1. deliver someone or something 1. I'll drop you off at the bus stop if
2. fall asleep you like.
2. Granddad often drops off in front of
the TV.
Drop out leave school without finishing She decided to go to art school then
dropped out after the first term.
End in finish in a certain way; result in Their marriage ended in divorce.
Ease off reduce, become less severe or After Christmas the workload
slow down (pain, traffic, work) generally eases off.
End up finally reach a state, place or If he continues his misconduct he'll
action end up in prison.
Even out 1. eliminate differences of 1. After a long discussion they
opinion. managed to even out their differences.
2. become level or regular 2. The road was evened out to make it
safer.
Fall fail; doesn't happen Our planned boat trip fell through
through because of the storm.
Figure understand, find the answer I'm trying to figure out how to
out assemble the bookshelves.
Fill out complete (a form/an application) Please fill out the enclosed form and
return it as soon as possible.
Find out discover or obtain information I'm going to call the cinema to find out
what time the film starts.
Focus on concentrate on something The advertising campaign will focus
on the quality of the product.
Phrasal Verb Meaning Examples

Get along (with) be on good terms; work well I get along (well) with my
with mother-in-law.
Get at imply What exactly are you trying to
get at?
Get away escape The robbers got away in a black
car.
Get by manage to cope or to survive It's difficult to get by on a low
salary.
Get in enter How did the thief get in?
Get into (+noun) enter How did the thief get into the
house?
Get off 1. leave (bus, train, plane) 1. You should get off the bus at
2. remove the main market of the town.
2. She can't get the stain off her
sweater.
Get on board (bus, train, plane) You can pay when you get on
the bus.
Get on with continue to do; make Be quiet and get on with your
(something) progress homework.
Get on (well) with have a good relationship with I get on very well with my
(somebody) colleagues.
Get out leave How did he get out?
Get out of (+noun) leave How did he get out of the house?
Get out of avoid doing something Some husbands manage to get
out of doing any housework.
Get over recover from (illness, My grandmother had pneumonia
disappointment) but she got over it.
Get rid of eliminate It's difficult to get rid of old

habits.
Get together meet each other Let's get together for lunch on
day.
Get up rise, leave bed I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
Give up stop doing something Rajesh gave up smoking 5 years
ago.
Go through experience Priya went through a lot of pain
after the accident.
Grow up spend one's childhood; He grew up in a small village in
develop; become an adult the mountains.

Verb
Hand in submit (report, homework) All application forms must be handed in
before the end of the month.
Hand out distribute Samples will be handed out at the end of
the demonstration.
Hang up end a phone conversation "Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."
Hit at aim a blow at He hit at the wasp with the newspaper.
Hit back retaliate; reply to an attack When he was attacked by the others, the
boy hit back.
Hit find unexpectedly or by She hit upon an idea for her new
on/upon inspiration collection.
Hold on 1. wait 1. "Hold on please. I'll put you through to
2. grip tightly Mr. Khanna"
2. She held on to the railing as she
crossed the bridge.
Hurry up be quick, act speedily Hurry up! We'll miss the bus.
Iron out resolve by discussion, The meeting tomorrow will be an
eliminate differences opportunity to iron out difficulties.
Join in participate She was too shy to join in the game.
Join up 1. engage in, become a 1. Deven was in the Army and Shekher
member of joined up as soon as he left school.
2. meet and unite with 2. The two groups of tourists joined up at
the hotel.
Jot down take quick notes I jotted down the address while watching
the programme on TV.
Keep on continue doing something It told him to be quiet but he kept on

making noise.
Keep up stay at the same level as Karan walks so fast it's difficult to keep
with someone or something up with him.
Kick off begin, start The football match kicked off at 3
o'clock.
Leave out omit, not mention The child's name was left out of the
report.
Let down disappoint You promised to come to the party, so
don't let me down!
Look after take care of A babysitter looks after the children when
their parents go out.
Look ahead think of the future It's time to forget the past and look ahead.
Look down consider as inferior He tends to look down on anyone who is
on not successful.
Look on be a spectator at an event Billu didn't take part in the fight. He just
looked on.
Look for try to find something Seema went to the shops to look for a pair
of shoes.
Look await or anticipate with I look forward to seeing you soon.
forward to pleasure
Look up to admire He was a wonderful teacher and many
students looked up to him.

Verb
Make fun laugh at/ make jokes about The old lady dresses so strangely that the
of kids make fun of her.
Make up invent (excuse, story) Some employees make up excuses when
they arrive late for work.
Mix up mistake one thing or person I don't know my neighbours' names yet. I
for another keep mixing them up.
Move in arrive in a new home or You've bought a new house? When are you
office moving in?
Move out leave your home/office for My neighbour is leaving. He's moving out
another one. next Saturday.
Nod off fall asleep My grandfather often nods off in front of

the television.
Note write something I'll call the station and note down the
down departure times.
Opt out leave a system or decide not I enjoy tennis but I'm so busy I had to opt
to participate out of the tournament.
Own up admit or confess something The boy owned up. He said he kicked the
ball through the window.
Pass away die The old lady passed away peacefully.
Pass out faint She passed out when she heard the bad
news.
Pay back reimburse I'll lend you Rs. 20 provided you pay me
back before the end of the week.
Put off postpone, arrange a later The meeting was put off because of the
date strike.
Put on turn on, switch on Could you put on the light please?
Put out extinguish It took a long time to put out the fire.
Put up accommodate, give We can put you up if you'd like to come for
somebody a bed a week-end.
Pick up collect somebody I'll pick you up at the station when you
arrive.
Point out indicate/direct attention to She pointed out the mistake.
something
Phrasal Verb Meaning Examples

Rely on count on, depend on, trust Don't worry. You can rely on
me. I can keep a secret.
Rule out eliminate The police ruled out political
motives.
Run away escape from a place or He ran away from home at the
suddenly leave age of fourteen.
Run into meet by accident or Sheetal ran into Meera at the
unexpectedly (also: bump shopping centre.
into)
Shop around compare prices It's always wise to shop around
before buying anything.
Show off brag or want to be admired There's Devesh showing off in
his new sports car!
Show up appear/arrive We expected Deepak to come

but he didn't show up.
Shut be silent, stop talking Oh shut up, you idiot!
up (impolite)
Sit down take a seat Please come in and sit down.
Stand up rise from a sitting position The pupils stood up when the
headmaster arrived.
Stick up for defend It's important to stick up for
one's principles.
Take after resemble, in appearance or Jagat really takes after his dad.
character
Take care of look after I'll take care of your plants
while you're away.
Take off leave the ground The plane took off at 6 a.m.
Take on hire or engage staff Business is good so the
company is taking on extra staff.
Take out remove; extract She took out a pen to note the
address.

Idioms and Phrases

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Idioms and Phrases

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RKM CLASSES ENGLISH LITERATURE 9015710708

ध्यान दे ना, विचार करना

अननस्चचत, उिझा हुआ, बाधित

ककसी मस्ु चकि से बाहर आना, सन्दे ह दरू करना

कुि लमिाकर, लमिाजुिाकर

अचस्भित कर दे ना, आचचययचककत होना, अिाक् हो जाना

of one's own accord

थिेच्छा से अपनी मजी से

अस्नन परीक्षा, कसौटी पर

The country needs a political leader who is a man of action.

जीिन्त शीि, जोश से पररपूर्य

all and sundry

alpha and omega

जंगिी, असभ्य, उग्र, हहंसक

उन्ननत की ओर, खतरा मोि िेना

झगडे की जड, वििाद का विषय

आँखों का तारा, बहुत विय

खेि बबगाडना, काम खराब करना

मोहर िगाना, सहमनत दे ना

दरू ी बनाकर रखना

कानून की ताकत, कानून की पहुँच

िडने को तैयार होना, पूरी तरह से तैयार

तमाम अनुििों से युक्त, अस्थतत्ि में होना

He's very much in the ascendant in the film world.

under the auspices (or banner) of sb / sth

थिािय, काम ननकािने का तरीका

He is keen to understand the ABC of making investments in a stock market.

हर थतर पर और हर क्षेत्र के िोगों पर ििाि होना

अच्छा िदशयन करना

विचार में िेना, ककसी िथतु पर ध्यान दे ना

बढा-चढा कर बात करना

अत्यन्त नज़दीक होना

थियं को हँसी का पात्र बनाना

विजय की स्थिनत में होना

ककसी के चररत्र की आिोचना करना

His opponents never missed an opportunity to cast aspersions on his professionalism.

गित राह हदखाना, पिभ्रष्ट करना

कुछ कायय करने के नजदीक होने या करने ही िािा

All of a sudden it became dark and the rain started.

As a matter of fact, the couple has applied for a divorce.

“As for me, I think I will accept the offer."

"As long as you promise to be careful, you can work on my computer."

जैसे ही, ज्यों ही

He got the job offer as soon as he finished his graduation.

He plans to take a language course this summer as well.

"Please bring your tennis racket as well as two balls."

एक दि रूप में आ जाना

सारी घटना का िर्यन

The witness gave a blow-by-blow account of the incident.

Nobody has seen him work so hard in ages.

आशा से परे , ककसी के लिए सब कुछ खत्म होना

ककसी िी तरीके से दे खने पर िैसा ही रहना

A. be up in the air 1. closely allied

पूरी ताकत से करना (कुछ पाने के लिए)

Banks are bending over backwards to provide facilities to the depositors.

सख्त बीमार होना

बातचीत शुरू करना

आचरर् में होने की िजह से आन्दोिन में शालमि होना

है रानी न जताना, अविचलित रहना

बुरे लमजाज में होना

बुरी तरीके से डाँटना

अनुधचत होने की िजह से िोडा ज्यादा िगना