Banking wizard by pankaj gautam


SECTION:1 PART ‘B’ COMMONLY USED IDIOMS (THEIR ORIGINS) AND THEIR USES



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SECTION:1 PART ‘B’ COMMONLY USED IDIOMS (THEIR ORIGINS) AND THEIR USES.


  1. Ace in the hole: a hidden but effective means of winning a conflict

When BJP had lost all its base in the Uttar Prdaesh, they brought their ace in the hole by putting Narendra Modi from Varanasi constituency.

  1. Ace up (one’s) sleeve: to have an effective but hidden means to accomplish something (kisi kaam ko pura karne ka prabhavkari lekin gupt upay/sadhan)

No matter how many times people thought that Tendulkar has passed his prime (utkrishtya) he always had an ace up his sleeve and scored hundreds.

  1. Achilles’heel: a person weakness or vulnerable spot in his or her character (‘kamjori’; ‘dukhti rag’)

With the recent (‘haal ka’) unfolding of events in the case of Asaram and Rampal, it has been once again proved that every holy Baba’s has their Achilles heel.

Achilles was a figure in Greek Mythology who was vulnerable (‘kamjor’; ásurakshit’) in battle except for his heel. It was the one weak spot on his body.



  1. Acid test: the most crucial or important part of work(‘nirnayak pariksha’)

The real acid test for Vajpayee would be not how well he runs the country but how well he runs the coalition.

The expression originates from the use of nitric acid on gold to determine its genuinity.



  1. Across the board: equally for everyone, for everything in all cases. (‘sabhi sadasyo ko sammilit karke’; ‘sabke liye barabar’)

When it comes to PSU banks in the same scale the increment is uniform across the Board, which results in dissatisfaction amongst the hard working and productive employees making them feel that in organization both the horse and the donkey drinks the water from the same well.

  1. Action speaks louder than words: the things that people do (action) are more important than the things they say (words). (‘kahne se jyada karna mahatvapurn’)

Every coaching centre claims that they are the best, but ultimately action speaks louder than words.

  1. Albatross around (one’s) neck: (gale ka bojh ya gale ki haddi)

The cost of running the Train in Kolkata for the sake of heritage has become an albatross around the West Bengal Government’s neck.

  1. All kidding aside: speaking seriously (gambhirta se’; ‘gambhir masla’)

That was a good joke, but all kidding aside we have to get to work now.

  1. All thumbs:uncoordinated and awkward, especially with one’s hands

Pollard seemed to be all thumbs today. He dropped 3 catches in successive deliveries.

  1. All wet: wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable (murkhta/nadani ya a-vishwasniya ki had tak galat hona)

During election campaign (ábhiyan’) the political leaders become all wet with their manifesto (‘ghoshna patra’)

  1. Along for ride, go/come: to be present for an activity without taking part in it. (‘kisi gatividhi me bina bhag liye upasthit rahna’)

These days wherever Virat Kohli plays, Anushka Sharma goes along for the ride.

  1. Apple of (one’s) eye: a person or thing that is precious or loved above all else (áankh ka tara’)

In his heydays (çharam smridhi ki awastha’;’zamana’) Rajesh Khanna was the apple of the eyes of all woman across generations.

Centuries old, the expression stems from the ancient belief that the pupil of the eye was solid and shaped like an apple. The pupil was considered precious since one could not see without it.



  1. Armed to teeth: well equipped with weapons (‘bahut sara astra shastra hona)

During the Taj Mumbai attack Ajmal Kasab and co were armed to teeth

The expression suggests having weapons (arms) from one’s toes to one’s teeth.



  1. As the crow flies: directly or in a straight line, without roads. (naak ki seedh mein)

As the crow flies, the airport isn’t very far but you can’t get directly you have to drive around the mountain.

  1. At loggerheads: in string disagreement, in a quarrel; at an impasse (‘gatirodh’) (ásahmat’)

The treasury and the opposition are at loggerheads about land acquisition bill.\

  1. At (one’s) wit’s end: at a loss about what to do next; in a state of frustration.

After the earthquake when the little child couldn’t find his parents, he looked everywhere until he was at his wit’s end.

  1. At the drop of a hat: on any pretext; without needing an excuse or reason (‘turant’)

The elementary education system in the rural areas is so shattered that the parents would shift to the private schools at the drop of a hat.

  1. At the end of (one’s) rope: no longer able to deal with a bad situation. (aur jyada kasht sahne me asamarth).

The Supreme Court could not tolerate the BCCI approach anymore and appointed Sunil Gavaskar as its observer because they were at the end of their rope.

  1. Ax to grind: a hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking some one or something

Why do you keep telling me not to buy anything from that store? Do you really think they sell bad products, or do you have some kind of an ax to grind?

  1. Back to square one, go: return to the beginning (‘jahan ke tahan’)

After the league stage, in the knock out rounds, no matter how many matches a team has won or lost earlier; all the qualifying teams are back to square one. (ie have to state from the scratch again)

  1. Back to the drawing board, go: return to the planning stage of the project. (pra-rambh/ naye sheere se kisi karya ko suru karna)

Once the elections results are out all the political parties are back to the drawing board.

The expression originates from the idea that plans and designs are developed on a drawing board.



  1. Back to the wall, have (one’s): to be in difficult or desperate situation (‘muskil ya visham paristhiti me hona’)

Whenever the Australian run chase had their back to the wall Michael Bevan came out in flying colors

  1. Back hand compliment: a criticism that is phrased in such a way that it appears to be a compliment.

Patricia said she can’t wear fake gold jewellery the way I canb because it turns her skin green, and I think she was giving me a back handed compliments. She was really letting everyone know that she wear real gold jewellery while the jewellery I have is fake.

  1. Back seat driver:a person who gives driving orders when he/she is not the driver.

When Rabri Devi led RJD govt ruled Bihar, the opposition always alleged that Laloo Yadav was the back seat driver.

When cars were first developed in 1920’s , wealthy car owners would often ride in the back seats, telling their drivers where to go, where to turn, etc. now such a practice by anyone is seen intrusive and rude.



  1. Bad blood: negative or ill feelings (‘dwesh’; áapsi dushmani’)

Those two brothers will never get along. There is too much bad blood between them.

  1. Bark up the wrong tree: to misdirect one’s efforts or arguments. (‘galat fahmi me hona’ya galat vichar rakhna)

So often do we find in debate that the speaker’s bark up the wrong tree.

The expression stems from the 19th century American frontier practice of hunting raccoon using hunting dogs. When the raccoon attempted to escape up a tree, the dog was supposed to remain at the foot of the tree barking until the hunter arrived. However, if the dog went to the wrong tree, especially at night, or the raccoon jumped to the branches of another tree, the hunter would end up focusing on the wrong tree.



  1. Bats in (one’s) belfry, have: harmlessly crazy of eccentric (‘sanki’; ‘vichitra’)

You must have bats in your belfry if you think that you are going to compete for UPSC without putting proper effort.

A belfry is the tower of a church where the bell hangs, and is analogous to one’s head. If a person has room for bats in his head, his head is full of space rather than brain.



  1. Beat a dead horse: to argue or pursue a point or topic without the possibility of success.

After a fortnight of their strike, the striking teacher soon realized that the govt is not going to bow down to their demand. The govt representative told them that they are beating a dead horse.

  1. Beat a hasty retreat: to run very fast in the opposite direction. (‘hadbada kar bhagna’)

The hoodlums were chasing the lady, but they beat a hasty retreat when they saw the police pickets.

  1. Beat about/around the bush: to speak or write evasively; to talk around an issue (‘ghuma fira kar baat karna)

In the longer run it is better to be blunt than to be beating around the bush.

The phrase originates from a hunting practice dating to the 15th century, in which hunter hired ‘beaters’ to drive small animals out of bushes where the hunters could more easily go to them. The beaters would lightly beat around the edges of the bushes to lure the animals out without completely frightening them away.



  1. Beat (someone) to the punch: to do something before someone else does it

Over the years sony has been a pioneer in electronics. In technological innovations it beats it rivals/ competitors to the punch.

  1. Beat the bushes: to search exhaustively

I’ve beat the bushes trying to search for the original soundtrack of the audio.

  1. Bet (one’s) boots: to be sure

The trade and box office analysts bet their boots that the distributor of Amir Khan Starrer movie will make a huge profit.

  1. Bet (one’s) bottom dollar: to be sure

Note: where bet one’s boot is used only in affirmative, bet one’s bottom dolar can be used both in affirmative and negative.

Pankaj is never late. If he said he would be here tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar, he will be.



  1. Between a rock and a hard place: facing two difficult outcome for the same situation

During the Kathmandu earthquakes, it was also raining outside and the residents were caught between a rock and a hard place.

  1. Between the devil and the deep blue sea: facing two difficult outcome for the same situation. (áage kuan peeche khai’)

In early 90’s when Waqar and Wasim were at the peak of their reverse swing, the batsman facing them were caught between the devil and deep blue sea.

  1. Behind the eight ball: in a difficult situation or position.

After the recent stock market crash, the so called wise investor has lost a lot of money. They are behind the eight ball on this one.

The expression comes from the game of billiard, or pool, in which the eight ball is always pocketed last. If one accidentally sinks the eight ball before the others, one automatically looses the game. Trying to hit another ball that is too close to the eight ball is seen as a risky situation.



  1. Hit (someone) Below the belt: to act unfairly. (ánuchit dhangse’ A-niti purn’)

In the reality show ‘Big Boss’the celebrities’ hits each other below the belt in order to win the task and the show.

The expression originates from the sport of boxing, in which it is against the rules to hit one’s opponents below his or her belt.



  1. Bend (someone’s) ear: to talk to someone for a long time (usually has a negative connotation) (‘samasya ke baare me baat karna)

One of the common sight of the govt offices are that clerks rather than working on their own desk are found to be bending their colleagues ear even during working hours.

  1. Beside (oneself): distraught; very anxious and troubled.

When the husband couldn’t find his wife after the ‘mahakumbh’stampede (‘bhagdar’;’khalbali’), he was beside himself with worry.

  1. Beside the point: irrelevant (‘mahatvahin’)

The explanation put forth by the media manager that we don’t win abroad because of umpiring error is beside the point, since these days we already have a concept of neutral umpires.

  1. Beyond the pale: beyond or outside the limit of morally or socially acceptable behavior. (‘seema ke bahar’)

The remarks made by sakshi and sadhvi in reference to a particular community were beyond the pale.

In British history, the pale was in and around Dublin, Ireland, which was colonized and ruled by the English. Beyond the pale was anything outside this area. To the English, this was synonyms with being outside law and order, ie outside civilization.



  1. Big cheese: an important, powerful or influential person (bahut hi mahatvapurn aur prabhavshali vyakti)

Without holding any constitutional post and without having any influences Ánna Hazare’ influences the society. He is a big cheese.

  1. Big fish in a small pond: a person who is considered important primarily because the place or setting is small

It’s better to be a chief minister of a very small state than to be a home minister of a very large state. I like the idea of being a Big fish in a small pond.

  1. Big shot: an important, powerful, or influential person (‘mahtvapurn vyakti)

The Republi day VIP passes are being issued to the big shots in the capital.

  1. Big wig and big wheel: both are similar to big cheese and big shot.

Note: the expression big wig is usually applied to a person high up in a corporate structure.

  1. Bird’s eye view: a broad view or overview of something or someplace (‘vihangam drishya’)

Generally the specialists views are considered to be a bird eye view in their area of specialization.

  1. Bite off more than (one) can chew: to take on more work or responsibility than one can accomplish (ápni chamta se adhik karya karne ka prayas karna)

One of the major reason sighted for the failure of Manoj Kumar in the later year was that he was directing, acting, wrinting and screen playing. The general thought was that he had bitten off more than he could have chewed.

  1. Bite the bullet: to face a difficult or unpleasant situation (majboori me sweekar karna)

If the youngster’s don’t change their habits of eating junk and fast food they are going to have to bite the bullet in their middle and later years.

Note: whereas face the music focuses more on accepting responsibility for some misdeed, bite the bullet and grin and bear it focuses more on preparing oneself to accept something painful or difficult.



  1. Bite the dust: to be destroyed or ruined beyond repair; slang for “to die”(‘dharashayi hona’dum tod dena’asafal hona)[dhool chatna]

Due to red-tapeism in Bueraucracy so many files keep biting the dust in almirah full of termite

  1. Bitter/hard pill to swallow: a difficult or unpleasant reality to deal with (katu satya ka samna karna) (the expression suggests something that, like a pill, is unpleasant but cannot be avoided)

Every participant in Indian Idol thinks that they are good singer but when the judges make the mockery of their singing they find it a bitter pill to swallow.

  1. Black and blue: discolored from a bruise; injured in a fight either physically or verbally. (çhot se neela pada hua)

Sarabjit was beaten black and blue in the Pakistani prison.

  1. Black market: a system of buying and selling illegal goods, or goods at illegal price or quantities. (‘kala bazar’)

The reason why cement was decontrolled was that under the controlled or subsidized regime people had to buy it on the black market.

  1. Black out: to lose consciousness temporarily. (the expression is also used when the electricity goes out in a city. As a noun, black out is one word) (‘behosh ho jana’ándhkar kar dena’)

Every one present in the party had their heart in the mouth when Bush choked and then blacked out.

  1. Black sheep: an outcast (the expression probably originates from the fact that most sheep are white and only the very different ones are black) (‘kul-drohi’)

I haven’t seen my uncle since I was a child, because he isn’t in contact with my parents. He is the black sheep of this family.

  1. Black ties: formal dress in which men wear black bow ties and dinner jackets or tuxedos and women wear formal, usually floor length dresses.

Arpita’s wedding was black tie. It was a glamorous affair that one will never forget.

  1. Blow (one’s) own horn/trumpet: to boast or brag.

Australia keeps winning the world cup while team from sub-continent keeps blowing their own horns.

Dating back to at least 16th century, this phrase is a reference to the practice of blowing horns to announce the arrival of important officials such as kings. To blow one’s own horn is to boast or claim a position of superiority over others.



  1. Blow (one’s) stack: to become suddenly very angry (aag-babula ho jana)

When Haryana Police could nor produce Baba Rampal in the court, the court blew its stack.

  1. Blow/run hot and cold: to have mixed or inconsistent feelings about something. (kabhi haan kabhi naa karna)

It is very difficult to analyse the consumer behavior and their feed back; some of them are very happy and give praising remarks while some are really critical. They blows hot and cold.

  1. Blow off steam: to express one’s anger, usually noisily and harmlessly, thereby relieving one’s tension. (‘gussa utaarna’) (the expression suggests the noise created when a steam boiler release excess pressure- pressure cooker ki citi bajni’)

One should forgive Sunil Gavaskar for walking off the ground along with Chetan Chauhan. I guess he just had to blow off some steam.

  1. Blue: sad (dukhi)

Let’s try to cheer up the children. They’ve been pretty blue since their pet dog died.

  1. Blue blood: a person (or animal) that is an aristocrat or from a noble family (kulin’; ‘kulin warg ka’)

No one knew about the origin of fore father of Kabirdas; but in all probability he was a blue blood.

  1. Blue law: a law which regulates personal behavior such as going to certain movies, dancing or gambling.

During emergency Kishore Kumar songs were banned from being played on All India Radio. It was a period of blue law.

  1. Blue ribbon: renowned, first prize. (the expression originates from the blue ribbon that is often presented to the best entry in the contest)

Chetan Anand classic ‘Neecha Nagar’won the blue ribbon at the Cannes.

The president assembled a blue ribbom panel of experts to study the problem.



  1. Blue collar worker: a person who earns a living doing manual labor, or generally uses his or her body rather than his or her mind to earn a living. (sharirik parishram karne wala) (the expression originates from the color of the shirt generally worn by factory workers while on the Job)

There is such a huge gap in the standard of living between a blue collar worker and a white collar worker.

  1. Boiling point: the point at which one loses one’s temper (úblank’) (the expression suggests heated water whose surface erupts with bubble when it reaches a particular temperature)

The upfront and direct questions put by journalists tested the patience of the actor and he reached his boiling point.

  1. Bomb: to fail completely (similar to lay an egg) (‘badi asafalta’)

Kamal Amrohi’s Magnum Opus Razia Sultan bombed miserably at the box office.

Note: whereas bomb is usually applied to creative activities (eg: a play, a book, a movie, an idea) that fails on a grand scale; lay an egg is usually applied to doing something that is socially embarrassing on a smaller scale.



  1. Bone of contention: a topic of dispute (jhagde ki jad) (the expression suggests a bone thrown between two dogs that would naturally fight over it)

The policy of caste based reservation in the jobs has always been a bone of contention in the society.

  1. Bone to pick, A: a dispute

Ian Chappel and Ian Botham have always had a bone to pick between themselves.

  1. Born yesterday: naïve (the expression suggests that someone who was born yesterday have not learned to distrust or be suspicious of people and is therefore naïve.

The masses at large get fooled by the ‘so called babas’as if they were born yesterday.

  1. Both feet on the ground: (to be) realistic and practical

The most admirable thing about Dhoni is that despite all the success and hype around him, he still has his both feet placed firmly on the ground.

  1. Bottom line, The: the net result (sentence A.) or the simple or ittefutable truth (sentence B)

  1. You have told me about the down payment, the closing cost, the interest rate, and the price of the house. What’s the bottom line? How much money am I actually going to have to spend on this house?

  2. You and I can argue around and around on this issue but the bottom line is that our children will have to go to college if they want to get well paid jobs in the future.

  1. Bottom of the barrel: the least able member of the group; the least desirable items from a collection (‘kamjor kadi kaun’)

The National Conference proved to be the bottom of the barrel in the ruling coalition.

  1. Bottoms up! : a call to rink; to empty one’s glass (ék hi ghoont me pee jao’) (the expression suggests the idea that the bottom of one’s glass will be up when one drinks it completely. It is informal)

Unless the mother does not insist or pressurize the children, these days they will never do the the bottom’s up with the glass of milk.

  1. Boxed in/box (someone) in: restricted; to restrict someone.

VJ Andy and Kamya Ounjabi went into the record books during the 7th season of big box when they were ‘boxed in’in the cartoons and stayed there for more than 3 days.

  1. Brain storm: to generate many ideas quickly (brain storm is a verb but ing form brain storming is often used as a noun) (‘vicharawes’)

During yesterday’s operational management class the whole class brainstormed about the different use of pencil.

  1. Bread winner: somebody that provides financial support for his or her family. (palan-karta)

Ramaya who was found trapped under the debris after the earthquake was the sole bread winner of the family.

  1. Break the ice: to get things started, particularly by means of a social introduction or conbversation. (the expressions suggest the idea of breaking through an icy surface to clear a path for step)(chuppi todna; vivid hal karna)

Various structured techniques are used in the introduction programmes of an organizational training, to break the ice among the participant.

  1. Bring down the house: to be a great success (it suggests that when an artistic performance is a great success , the audience applauds so noisily as to make the ceiling and walls of the theatre collapse)

In all the episodes of comedy nights with Kapli, he brings down the house every night.

  1. Bring home the bacon: to bring money into the household to support a family (‘safaltapurvak hasil karna)

When R.K. Nayyar’s condition worsened, his wife Sadhna produced and directed the movie ‘Geeta mera Naam’ to pay of his debts and therefore she was the one who brought home the bacon.

  1. Brush-off, get/give (someone) : to be dismissed casually and almost cruely. (it is usually used when one person is superior to or thinks he is superior to the other) (inkar karna; upeksha karna)

On the issue of coal and 3G scam, the opposition asked the P.M. not to give the nation and the parliament the brush off. The opposition said that the house deserved an honest answer from the leader of the house.

  1. Bug: to bother, annoy or irritate mildly (the expression suggests a bug(‘kira’) flying around one’s head)

The participants in the roadies bugged the crew member and the moderator during the group discussion until they saw Judge Raghu and Rajeev lost their temper.

  1. Bull in china shop: insensitive to delicate(‘barik’) situation, to be so clumsy (‘bedhanga’) that one break things inadvertently (‘galti se’)

Larry can’t take his son into the glassware store because he always manages to break things. He is like a bull in the china shop.

  1. Bum steer, Give someone A: bad advice or instruction

Just for the sake of having fun, some people give a Bum steer to the passerby who asks them to guide them in finding a particular address.

  1. Burn (one’s) bridges: to take a course of action that makes it impossible to go back. (‘peeche lautne ke sabhi raaste band kar lena’)

It’s been such a long period since Ramesh left the job and started his venture, that in the interim he has burnt his bridges and won’t be able to start over again.

  1. Burn Rubber: (also used as a slang for hurry) to accelerate with tires so quickly from a stopped position that the rubber tyres make a loud squatting noise and leave a black mark on the street.

We’re going to have to burn rubber if we hope to go to the wedding on time.

  1. Burn the candle at both ends: to overwork oneself. (bahut der tak bahut jyada parishram kar ke thakna) (the expression suggests that one is wasting one’s resources and energy)

Mr. Dhartipakad has contested more than 10 different elections and has burned the candle at both ends.

  1. Burn the midnight oil: to stay up late at night studying or working (‘raat din ek karna’) (the expression suggests burning the oil in an oil lamp for light in order to work in the dark)

Since Vivek had not studied during the course of an entire year he had to open his books and begin burning the mid night oil in order to pass the test.

  1. Burned out: lacking enthusiasm due to over exposure or too much of the same thing; completely used up; worn out.(ákriya sheel’; thaka-maanda’) (the expression suggests a device like a light bulb that burns out (stop shining) when all of its energy is used up)

All the theories of player burn out have been put to rest after the successful span of Sachin Tendulkar Cricketing career.

  1. Burning question: a question that deserves or demands discussions.

There is no doubt that Garner, Marshal, Holding and Roberts were all great fast bowlers. The burning question is who among them was the greatest.

  1. Bury the hatchet: to end a dispute (jhagda khatm karna) (the expression may originates from a Native American custom of burying a hatchet as a sign of agreeing to peace)

Let’s bury the hatchet.

  1. Butt in: to interfere (sentence A) or literally to push one’s way in between other people (sentence B) (taang adana)

  1. This argument is between your sister and me, and it doesn’t concern you. Don’t butt in

  2. We’ve been waiting patiently in this long que and that women just butted in ahead of us. She should have gone to the end of the line to wait like the rest of us.

  1. Butter (some one) up:’to flatter some one, usually excessively, in order to gain a favor. (chaplusi karna) (this idiom is a reference to the act of çovering’someone in praise or flattery like covering slice of bread with butter)

As the year end starts approaching the subordinates butter up their superior to ensure that their annual appraisal and chance of promotion is bolstered.

  1. Buy (something) for a song: to buy something very cheaply

The distributors were desperate to win the company’s business contest schemes and consequently the retailers were able to buy it for a song.

  1. By hook or by crook: by one way or another; by any means possible (kisi bhi keemat par)

The insurance companies do all sorts of mis selling. Their sole aim is to achieve sales targets by hook or by crook.

  1. By the book, Go: operate according to the rules. (probably originates from the idea that the procedure or accepted rules of established game are set down in a book)(ekdum niyamanusar)

At times judgements are very restricted as the court and Judges have to go by the books.

  1. By the seat of (one’s) pants: do something to accomplish something by luck and instinct rather than skill. (apne balbute par)

The children had never cooked a whole meat or used the washing machines before. When their mother left in an emergency, they kept things going at the house by the seat of their pants.

  1. By the skin of (one’s ) teeth: by a very narrow margin (baal baal bachna) (the expression suggests that something is as narrow as the no existent skin on one’s teeth)

The ball missed the stumps by the skin of one’s teeth.

  1. By word of mouth: the informal, verbal passing of information from one person to another. (jabani’; ‘maukhik’; áfwah’)

Good word of mouth from the inhouse students is the best form of advertisements for a coaching center.

  1. Call (someone) on the carpet: to confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed. (‘fatkarna’)

The supritendent of police called the sub-inspector on the carpet.

This phrase originates from the military, where it used to be that only senior officers had carpet in their offices. To be called on the carpet meant that a lower ranking soldier was brought into the senior’s office to be formally reprimanded for an offence.



  1. Call (someone’s) bluff: to challenge someone to carry out a threat or prove the truth of a statement (chunauti dena)

Amitabh Bachchan called the newspaper bluff and asked them to prove his involvement in the bofors scandal, and won a libel case against them.

  1. Call a spade a spade: to speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant (‘bina lag lappet ke kehna’)

Kiran Bedi was never hesistant to call a spade a spade.

The phrase dates back to ancient Greece, where the word for spade boat and bowl were very similar; the original translation may have been ‘call a boat a boat’



  1. Call the shots: to be in control or to give orders. (adhikar rakhna) (This idiom stems from use in sports that involve aiming, for eg, in darts, the thrower might call out the exact spot he/she expects to hit on the target. Calling the shots well shows the players to be in control of the outcome)

It is a well established fact that when Rabri Devi was incharge of Bihar, it was Lalu Yadav and not her who use to call all the shots.

  1. Can of worms, open A: a situations that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences. (jatil samsyaon ka pitara)

When banks were upgrading their branches from a stand alone model to the core banking model, there was an apprehension among the customerand staff that the new technology would open a whole new can of worms.

  1. Carry a torch (for someone): to be in love with someone, usually some one who does not love in return. (ektarfa prem karna)

Sahir Ludhiyanvi never married and always carried a torch for Amrita Pritam

  1. Carry the ball: to take on work or responsibility in order to keep a project moving forward.

Michael Bevan was such a dependable player and you could always count on him to carry the balls.

  1. Cast pearls before swine: to offer something to someone who cannot appreciate it. (‘bhains kea aage bin bajana’)

Taking your young children to Europe would be like casting pearls before swine. They are too young to appreciate it.

The expression originates from the Biblical Sermon on the mount, in which he says “do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot”



  1. Catch (some one) red handed [get caught red handed]: to catch someone in the act of committing some offense. (range haathin pakadna/pakdana) (dating from the 15th century, this idiom is a reference to the notion of killers being caught with the blood of their victims on their hands. The meaning later expanded to being caught in the act of any kind of wrong doing)

The place rigged with the hidden camera and spy microphone caught so many people red handed seeking sexual favor in the episode of T.V. serial emotional atyachar.

  1. Catch (someone’s) eye: to attract someone’s visual attention. (‘dhyan aakarshit karna)

The bike displayed in the showroom was the centre of attraction and caught everyone’s eye.

  1. Catch (someone’s) fancy: to appeal to someone (pasand aana)

Daniel arrived at the party not expecting to have a good time, but he met someone there who caught her fancy and spent the entire evening talking to her.

  1. Change horses in midstream: to change plans or leaders in the middle of some action or event. (‘majhdar me dal badal karna’; ‘beech majdhar me saath chodhna’) (the expression connotes that trying to change horses in the middle of a stream is not a wise thing to do. It would be better to wait until one is on land)

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the President changed horses in midstream and elected Rajiv Gandhi as the new leader.

  1. Change of heart: a reversal of attitude (usually applied to an emotional attitude) (hriday parivartan)

The President at first overlooked the mercy petition but then had a change of heart and gave his nod on the petition.

  1. Charmed life, lead A: (to be lucky, avloid danger)

Sachin Tendulkar led a charmed life in 2011 world cup semifinal against Pakistan, where he was droped on four occasions.

  1. Chekered past: a personal history that includes both successes and failures, or ethical and unethical behavior

Salman khan has had a chekered past with his involvement in the hit and run case and his philanthropical association with being human.

  1. Chew (someone) out [get chewed out]: to scold someone harshly

After the cobrapost sting operation exposed by tehelka.com, the banks have chewed out its employee who were found involved in assisting money laundering.

  1. Chew (something) over: to think slowly and carefully about something (gambhirta purvak vichar karna) (cow chew slowly and regurgitates[jugali karna] its food to chew it a second time)

After chewing it over for couple of months the Janta Parivar finally decided to get re-unite.

  1. Chicken: scared, frightened

Because of the child’s fear from injection, his friend started teasing him by calling chicken.

  1. Chicken out: to become too frightened to do something; to lose one’s nerve. (dar ke mare na jaane ka nirnay lena)

At first the fans wanted to ask the movie star for his autograph, but after a while they got scared and chickened out.

  1. Chip off the old block, A: very much like one’s parent(s) (the expression probably originates from the idea that a chip off a block of wood or stone, though smaller, has the same characteristics of the block itself. A chip off the old block usually refers to likeness in characteristics or personality)

Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt and Kumar Gaurav were all second generations actor. They’re the chip off the old block.

  1. Chip on (one’s) shoulder: a feeling of bitterness caused by a sense that one has been treated unfairly. (the sense of personal injustice is usually imagined)

When Rajiv Gandgi was made Prime Minister, Pranav Mukherjee had a chip on his shoulder as he though that he was more deserving than Rajiv.

  1. Clam up: to not say anything. (chuppi rakhna’muh band rakh lena’) (the expression suggests that one keep one’s mouth as tightly closed as a clam shell)(ek prakar ka ghongha)

So many court cases are pending in India because of the fact that the witness clam up.

  1. Clean slate [wipe the clean slate]: a new beginning, usually achieved by removing any record of previous bad deeds (sentence A) or debts (sentence B) (naye shiray se shuruwat karna)

  1. The man had done some terrible things in the past, but he moved to a new town and changed his name. He was trying to make a new life with a clean slate

  2. If you pay me what you owe me, you’ll have wiped the slate clean.

The expression originates from the idea of a slate, the fore runner to the black board, which can be wiped clean to allow for new writing.

  1. Clean (someone) out: to take or steal everything someone has. (áchchi tarah se safai karna’; ‘kangal kar dena’)

The robbers broke into the bank at night and cleaned the place out.

  1. Clean the air: to resolve hidden resentments or uncover hidden thoughts (the rxpression originates from the idea that when there is smoke or gog in the air, it is difficult to see.

The Health Minister had to call an emergency press conference because there was lots of rumour flying around regarding Ébola Virus’. The govt wanted to clean the air.

  1. Climb the walls: to be uneasy or restless.

After practicing hard and long for the grand finale; the finalists were starting to climb the walls.

  1. Climb/jump on the bandwagon: to join the crowd in following a popular position, cause, activity or fashion. (çhadhte surya ko namaskar karna’; ‘badhti ganga me haath dhona’) (The expression is often uncomplimentary. A person who is described as climbing on the bandwagon has not joined the crowd out of commitment, but out of peer pressure)

Viv Richards was always ahead of his time and never believed in climbing on the bandwagon.

  1. Close shave: a narrow escape (‘baal baal bachna’) (the exression probably originates from the idea that a man who shaves closely is narrowly escaping cutting the skin)

Many died in Tsunami while many had a close shave

  1. Closed minded: unwilling to consider new idea

People rallying against the idea of privatization of railway are closed minded.

  1. Clown around: to act silly

Yesteryear comedian Rajendra Nath clowned around in many hit movies.

  1. Cock and bull story: a story that is too unlikely to be believed (be sar pair ki kahani) (the expression originates from an English fable in which a cock and a bull had an unbelievable conversation)

Manmohan Desai was a master in scripting cock and bull story.

  1. Cold feet: too scared to do something (dar jana)

In the Dilip Kumar biography it has been mentioned that he was so fond of Kamini Kaushal that he had decided to propose her oe day, but when he came in front of her he got cold feet and simply wished her.

  1. Cold Turkey: abruptly, not gradually (kadwi sachchai’; ‘puri nashabandi)

I decided to take a break from my service and open a coaching centre all at once. I decied to quit cold turkey.

  1. Come full circle: to return (figuratively) to a point where one has been before (ghum-phir kar wahin pahuchna) (the expression suggests that in creating a full circle, one returns to the starting point)

The Lalu clan started with a humble background with no family members holding any posts. Then Lalu became chief Minister, his wife became chief Minister, both his brother in law became member of parliaments, now all of them have lost all their posts and elections; again none of them are holding any posts. They’ve come a full circle.

  1. Come home to roost: to return to cause trouble. (ulte padna’; ‘wapas aana)

Martin Crowe has declared that he might not survive another year. His lymphoon has come home to roost.

  1. Come off it: a response to a statement that cannot be believed (sentence A) or a behavior that must be stopped (sentence B) (bekar ki baate mat karna) (the expression is always used an expletive in the command form. It is very informal and would normally only be used by parents with their children, or between equals)

  1. You expect me to believe that you don’t know how that dent in the car feader got there? Oh, come off it!

  2. First you ask for juice and then change your mind and say you want milk. I get it for you, and now you beg for water come off it!

  1. Come out of (one’s) shell: to stop being shy (lajja tyagna) (the expression suggests that a person who is shy or quiet is like a turtle that remains into its shell.

It took 4 years and 13 movies for Amitabh to come out of his shell.

  1. Come out smelling like a rose: to avoid blame that one deserves, to seem innocent.

Nadeem should have gotten into trouble for Gulshan Kumar murder, but he was lucky and came out smelling like a rose.

  1. Cook (someone’s) Goose: to ruin someone’s plan (khel khatm hona) (this expression is used when someone is about to be punished)

The students had sneaked into the strong room to see if they could find a copy of the exam, but now they could hear the teacher coming down the hall towards the room. Their goose was cooked.

  1. Cook up: to invent or plan (banana) (the expression connotes some degree of scheming, but is not necessarily negative)

The Congress cooked up a scheme with Charan Singh to dislodge the Morarji Desai government.

  1. Cool (one’s heels): to wait (the expression connotes some degree of annoyance and would usually be used in informal situation)(‘pratiksha karne dena’)

The rally was to start at 4 in the evening but the party supporter had to keep their heels cooling until 7:30, when the minister arrived.

  1. Cornered: trapped with no means of scape

The mouse ran on all the four walls and on the diagonals to save itself from the cat but when the mouse got inside the mouse trap, it was cornered.

  1. Cost (someone) a mint/ an arm and a leg: to cost a great deal of money (bahut mahnga padna)( the expression suggest that something costs all the money stored in a mint – a place where money is coined or that something cost the same value as someone’s arm and leg. Used only for monetary payment)

The higher and technical education in India costs a mint to the parents.

  1. Couch potato: a person who sits for long periods of time on the couch, usually eating snack, foods and watching television. (the slang expression suggests that the person has acquired the shape of a potato because of lack of exercise and eating too much unhealthy food.)(television dekhne ka bahut jyada aadi; t.v dekh kar samay gawane wala)

The person holding a white collared jobs always carries a risk f becoming a couch potato in their middle years)

  1. Cream of the crop: the best

The front line batting order of Royal Chalangers Bangalore is the cream of the crop.

  1. Crocodile tears: false, exaggerated tears (‘magarmach ke aansu’) (this expression comes from the ancient belief that crocodile cry false tears to lure their prey)

The husband charged his wife of crying crocodile tears in the court.

  1. Cross (one’s) fingers: to hope for luck (áasha karna’)

Every politician is keeping their fingers crossed ahead of the electin results.

  1. Cry over spilled milk: to be unhappy because of a past event that cannot be changed (‘vyarth pachtana’)

What’s the point in regretting over the mistakes committed in the exams, it’s better that instead of crying over spilled milk you prepare hard for the next time.

  1. Cry/say uncle: to admit defeat (haar sweekar karna)

In a fight of wrestling when a wrestler is pinned down by his opponent, the wrestler is grabbed till the time he cries uncle.

  1. Cry wolf: to raise a false alarm or exaggerate so often that one is no longer believed (akaran shor machana’; ‘bhediya aaya….’) (the expression originates from one of Aesop fables in which a young shephered boy falsely alerts people that a wolf is attacking the sheep. At first, people responded, but he cries wolf so many times, that eventually they stop. When the wolf really does come and the boy cries “wolf” no one comes to his aid)

At the time of natural disasters like earthquakes, there are many people who cries wolf just for fun.

  1. Cut and dried: routine (sentence A) or clear or unequivocal (sentence B) (bahut spasht)

  1. The boss said that there wouldn’t be a problem with my getting a pay raise. I was long overdue for one, so the matter was cut and dried.

  2. The case was cut and dried. It was clear to everyone that the man was guilty of his crimes, and the best he could hope for was a short prison sentence.

  1. Cut corners: to do something proudly or incompletely in order to save money (galat tarike apnana)

It’s not wise to cut corners and buy the regualar reusable syringe rather than the disposable syringe, as the reusable syringe if not properly sterilized, carries the risk of transmitting HIV’s from an infected person

  1. Cut off (one’s) nose to spite (one’s) face: to injure oneself in the process of seeking revenge or attempting to punish someone (pratisodh lete waqt haani kar baithna)

For decades the two tribes are carrying generation’s long feud and are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

  1. Cut (someone) to the quick: to hurt or wound someone deeply (dil ko aaghat pahuchana)

It is rumuored that when suraiya’s mother disapproved her relationships with Dev Ananad, he was very hurt and threw her ring in the sea. Dev sahab was cut to the quick.

  1. Cut the mustard: to meet standards.

From the 50 probables shortlisted for paraolympics, 35 were removed from the group as they couldn’t cut the mustard.

  1. Damn (someone) with faint praise: to criticize in such a way that one appears to be praising whin infact one is condemning or disapproving (upari man se prasansha karna)

Ramesh told Raj that he has lost a good 4.5 kilos and is now only 25 kilos more than the ideal weight. Ramesh was really trying to point out that Raj was heavily overweight. He damned Raj with faint praise.

  1. Dark horse: a competitor who is little known by most people but who is expected to win by someone more knowledgeable (agyat ummidwar)

Srilankan really emerged as a dark horse to win the 1996 cricket world cup.

  1. Dawn on (someone): to realize something that was perhaps already apparent to others.

Mukesh was surprised that none of his classmates were there on the bus stop, and he was the only one waiting for the bus. It finally dawned on him that his watch was slow by 1 hour and the bus had already departed.

  1. Days are numbered (someone’s) (something’s): there is only a short time before something ends (din aa gaye hain)

In Anand movie, Rajesh Khanna was suffering from Limphosacoma of the eintestine, and he knew that his days were numbered.

  1. Dead to the world: fast asleep (ghode bechkar soya hua)

Ultimately the parents had to drag the child out of the house to save him from the earthquake. The child could not move on its own as it was dead to the world.

  1. Deal (someone) in/out: to include someone in something, especially a card game (shamil kar lena’paate batna)

If you’ll excuse me for a moment; I’m going to make a phone call. But I want to play their round of cards, so you can deal me in.

  1. Diamond in the rough: an unpolished or unsophisticated person that has potential (angadh heera, gudri ka laal (the expression suggests an uncut diamond, which is unattractive to the eye but which has potential of becoming a beautiful stone when properly cut and polished)

Before the release of Zanzeer Amitabh Bachchan was an uncut diamond.

  1. Divide the spoils: to give portion of the goods captured during a war to the winners of the war (the expression is used literally in the context of war, but it can also be used figuratively, as in sentence b)

  1. Several centuries ago, it was a common practice for invading armies to divide the spoils after they had won a battle.

  2. The boys from two rival camps decided to compete for a gallon of ice cream. The winning team would get to divide the spoils and the losing team would get nothing.

  1. Do an about face: to change one’s behavior or mind abruptly and (often) apparently without reason (mat parivartan) (the expression originates from the military command “about face”which instructs a soldiers to turn in the opposite direction)

Several of the prime witness of post Godhra riots, did an about face in the court.

  1. Do or die: to act out of necessity, even if the outcome is unpleasant (sentence a and b) or to try one’s hardest despite the likelihood of failure (sentence c)

  1. We decided the time had come to make a decision and act on it. As Harvey said to me, ït’s do or die”

  2. When the time came to mount an attack on the enemy, the captain said, :man, the time is now ‘we do or die’

  3. The boys tried their hardest to succeed. They had a real do or die attitude.

  1. Dog days (of summer): very hot days (atyadhik garmi ke din) (the expression has an astronomical source. It is the time in July and August when, in the northern hemisphere, the Dog Star, Sirius rises in conjunction with the sun. In ancient times it was believed that it was the combined heat of Sirius and the sun that caused the hot weather)

Such has been the change in the dynamics of cricket that IPL is played in the dog days of India.

  1. Dog-eared: well worn (mude hue prishth wala)

I have kept my entire original educational and experience certificate in a plastic folder, so that they don’t get dog eared.

  1. Dog-eat-dog: ruthless, competitive and fast paced. (kutte ka kutta bairi) (the expression suggests the idea of animals that are so desperate that they eat their own kind)

In PVT Banks the business pressure for sales staff is so high that one staff cunningly snatches the business from another staff; it’s a dog eat dog world there.

  1. Do (someone) a good turn: to do someone a favor without having been asked and without expecting a favor in return(laabh pahuchana)

Bill and Melinda Gates do their Philanthrophical work for a good turn.

  1. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s: to be very careful and attentive to detail (bariki se kaam pura karna) (the expression probably originates from the idea of being careful to complete the letters ï”and “t” in cursive handwriting to ensure they are clearly identifiable from each other)

If we have to win this bid we have to make our calculations very carefully. We have to ensure that we dot the I’s and cross the t’s

  1. Down and out: poor (din hin vyakti) (the expression suggests the idea of being down at the bottom of society and out of luck)

The entire population of Congo is down and out.

  1. Down in the dumps: depressed (hatash)

Suchitra Sen in her later years did not meet any body and consequently she could not be conferred with Dada Sahab Phalke Award, as she had refused to travel to Delhi to accept it. She was down in the dumps.

  1. Down in the mouth: unhappy (udas) (a reference to the way one’s mouth turns downward when one is sad)

Ever since the UPSC results have been declared, Praveen has been down in the mouth.

  1. Down to earth: practical and rational; unpretentious(vyawharik)

One of the major reasons associated with Sachin Tendulkar’s success was that he was always very down to earth while his contemporary like Kambli and Manjrekar were not.

  1. Down to the wire: to the deadline

The semifinal between Australia and South Africa went right down to the wire.

  1. Draw a blank: to be unable to remember, become unsuccessful (asafal hona) (has it reference to the 16th century lottery tickets. One who drew a blank had a ticket worth nothing)

Every time, the teacher asks Ranjeet to revisit’s the earlier classes, he draws a blank.

  1. Draw the line at (something): to not allow something beyond a certain acceptable point (seema nirdharit karna)

Shikha was allowed to go out for a movie by her parents but only for noon or matinee show. The parents drew the line on that.

  1. Dressed to kill: dressed to make a strong impression, usually in fancy or stylish clothes (akarshit karne ke liye bhadkeele kapde pehne hue)

On the various award nights, Bollywood stars do dressed to kill.

  1. Drop in the bucket, A: an extremely small amount compared to the whole, usually much less than what is needed or wanted (unt ie camel ke muh me jeera)

Ranvir wanted to buy an IPL franchise but he had just 47 crores with him whereas the actual cost of the Franchise was 200 crore. He had a drop in the bucket.

  1. Drum (someone)/ get drummed out of the corps: to expel someone from a group or an organization (nikalna) (the expression originates from a military setting where, when someone left the corps in disgrace, he or she was escorted out with a drum roll. Its usage includes any group and with it a sense of disgrace or rejection)

When media reported the abusive tape of Rajasthan Minister, the BJP drummed out the Minister

  1. Dutch treat (go Dutch): each person pays for himself or herself; to share the cost (sajha karna)

Larry didn’t have enough money to pay for both his and Mary’s dinner, so they went Dutch.

  1. Dyed in the wool: having a trait that is thoroughly ingrained or basic to one’s nature (pakka)

John Buchanan during his tenure as Australia’s coach knew the strength and weakness and statistics and every minute details about the opposition. He was dyed in the wool coach and therefore was able to produce an invincible team.

  1. Eager beaver: a person who is very excited and enthusiastic about pursuing some activity (utsuk; sakht mehnat arne wala)

Kareena was so eager beaver to attain a Size zero figure that she stopped eating almost anything and in the process became an anamic

  1. Eat crow/ humble pie: to humble oneself because one has been proved wrong. (naak ragadna)

All the coaching centre who boast about their success rate and give hoardings and advertisements as “success guaranteed”are forced to eat crow once the final results are declared.

  1. Eat (one’s) hat: to do something unpleasant in the case of being proven wrong.

After the exit polls the congress leader said that if the exit polls are proved correct he would eat his hat

  1. Eat (one’s) heart out: to suffer silently in a hopeless situation (man hi man kudhna)

He had to eat his heart out and leave his job when his colleagues declined to marry him

  1. Eat out of (someone’s hand): to be submissive; to have someone eating out of one’s hand means to get someone to be submissive (niyantran me rahne ke liye ikshuk hona) (the expression originates from the idea that an animal that will eat out of one’s hand is very tame. It connotes an unhealthy submissiveness)

In her married life Rajni is so dominant that she has her husband eating out of his hand.

  1. Egg on (one’s) face, Have: to be or appear to be embarrassed (murkh ban-na)

When Monica Lewinsky scandal broke out, it was obvious by the way Clinton looked that he had egg on his face.

  1. Eleventh hour: late or last minute

One should not wait till the eleventh hour for one’s medical check up, as the delay could prove fatal

  1. Eternal triangle: (shashwat prem tribhuj; amar trikon) a situation in which two men love the same woman or two woman love the same men

It is said that on the sets of Sholay both Sanjeev Kumar and Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini. They were involved in an eternal triangle

  1. Every Tom, Dick and Harry: everyone (har aira gaira)

Mobile has become such a common phenomenon. In India one can find every Tom, Dick and Harry in possession of a mobile hand set

  1. Face the music: to confront a difficult or unpleasant situation; to accept the unpleasant consequence of one’s own action (apne kiye ka parinam bhugatna)

Both Indira and Sanjay had to face the music in the 1977 general election because of the excess committed by the congress regime in 1977.

  1. Fair and square: honest(ly) (seedhe, thick nishane par, imandari se)

The advocates of neutral umpires were of the view that once the neutral umpiring system is implemented, the team winning thereafter would win it fair and square

  1. Fair shake, get/give (some) A: to give someone ot something a chance to prove itself

Don’t dismiss their chances of winning just yet, Give it a fair shake.

  1. Fair to middling: average; neither good nor bad

The movie had nothing to boast about; but at the same time it was not bad also. It was fair to middling.

  1. Fair-weather friend: a person who is loyal in good times but not when times are difficult (swarthi mitra)

You achieve success and I am sure you will find plenty of fair weather friends

  1. Fall by the wayside: to drop put of the situation (haar maan lena)

When Greg had too many froceries to carry at once, he decided to keep what he needed for dinner that night and let the rest fall by the wayside

  1. Fall for (someone): to be love with a person (pyar me padna)

Laila-Majnu, Romeo-Juliat, Shree-Farhad; Sohni-Mahiwal; Heer-Ranjha, they all fell for each other

  1. Fall for (something): to be deceived, or believe an unlikely story (aankh moond kar vishwas kar lena; mugdh hona)

The defence counsel tried its best to fool the judges, but the learned judges did not fell for their false testimony.

  1. Fall off the wagon: to lose control of oneself and engage in a compulsive behavior (generally negative)

She was doing well on her diet, but then she fell off the wagon and ate a gallon of ice cream

  1. Fall on deaf ears: to be heard but ignored, or to be heard but to have no effect (kano par joo na rengna)

For the last 4 months Rashmi has been running from pillar to post to get her pension regularized but her plea is falling on deaf ears

  1. Far cry from (something): much less than what was expected or anticipated (ekdum alag, bahut door)

What govt offered to the striking employee were far cry from what was expected

  1. Fat cat: a rich but usually lazy person (primarily for man and nor woman) (dhani vyakti, dhanwaan)
    Deshmukh is a fat cat person owning several malls in the city

  2. Feather in (one’s) cap: an exceptional achievement (the practice of placing feather in one’s cap is centuries old and appers to have been practiced in many different cultures. The feather was awarded and worn as a significant achievement by the wearer. In some culture, such as 16th century Hungary, it was a crime to wear a feather when one had not earned the right)

Kangna won a national award for her role in the movie Queen, another feather in her cap.

  1. Feather (one’s) nest: to build up one’s riches, usually quietly and perhaps by some unethical method (be-imani karke dhani hona) (the expression suggests the idea of a bird making itself comfortable by adding feather to its nest)

Mr. Jones has been feathering his nest with the company money ever since he gained access to the safe. One of these days he is going to be found out and fired.

  1. Feel (something) in (one’s) bones [have a feeling in (one’s) bones]: to sense something without being able to see, hear or feel it; to have a premonition (antargyan hona)

There are some events in lifewhich are beyond any explanation. One can only feel it in one’s bones.

  1. Feel the pinch: to have less money than one used to have, and less than one feel is necessary (kathinai mahsus karna)

The entire middle class is feeling the pinch of the high inflation rate prevailing for the last six months

  1. Field day: a wild and uncontrolled time; a time of especially pleasant or exciting action (sansani khej din; anand diwas)

Because of the heavy downpour the game was abandoned and the players from both the side had a field day

  1. Fight tooth and nail: to fight fiercely; to fight with everything you have (jee jaan se ladna) (the expression suggests that the fighter use both teeth and fighter nails or claws)

The prosecutor fought tooth and nail to get the justice for her client

  1. Fill/fit the bill: to suit or satisfy a need (thick hona)

The medicine prescribed by the doctor just didn’t fit the bill

  1. Filthy rich: extremely wealthy ( this expression arose from the idea that money was “filthy”or dirty. For some people the, the idiom still carries a negative connotation. But for the other’s to be a filthy rich is a dream)

Bill Gates by the virtue of his software company is filthy rich.

  1. Fine kettle of fish: a terrible mess

I had to borrow millions of rupees for my daughter’s marriage and now the marriage is on the verge of separation. The marriage has gotten us into a fine kettle of fish.

  1. Fine tooth comb: an imaginary device one uses to lok for something very carefully

The police examined the crime scene. They were over it with a fine tooth comb, but they couldn’t find any.

  1. First rate: best quality (sarvottkrisht, ati-uttam)

Raju hirani always directs the first rate movie

  1. Fish out of water: a person who is uncomfortable in a situation or doesn’t belong in a particular environment

Taking care of family/husband/inlaws/daughter is very difficult for her, it’s like a fish out of water.

  1. Fishy: looking or sounding suspicious (sandehaspad)

Don’t fall into the trap of fishy phone calls.

  1. Fits and starts: in short burst of motion or effort

Despite playing for 21 years, Mohinder Amarnath could only manage 75 tests. His career was full of fits and starts.

  1. Fix (someone’s) wagon: to return an irritation caused by a person through some form of mild revenge

This customer always comes just before the closing time with a large amount of cash withdrawals which results in the delay of our closing by half an hour, the cashier has decided to fix his wagon, next time he comes we will give him the small denomination notes and coins.

  1. Flash in the pan: a temporary or pausing fancy, a fad or attraction that will fade quickly (the expression comes from an old type of weapon the flintlock musket. In this musket, gun powder was first ignited in a small depression on pan; the powder was supposed to cause the charge in the musket to explode. But sometimes the powder just burned harmlessly, giving off a flash but nothing more)

The disco’s in the early 80’s was a flash in the pan

  1. Flat brokes: have absolutely no money (‘kadka’)

In the late 60’s when Mexico devalued its currency six folds many family essentially lost everything and became flat broke

  1. Fly by night: undependable, untrustworthy (a-vishwas-niya log)

The Sahara India has become a fly by Night Company for its investors.

  1. Fly in the face of (something): to go against something; to show disrespect for something or someone (aswikar hona; spasht viprit hona)

Her decision to go for the inter-caste marriage flew in the face off her parents

  1. Fly in the ointment: an unpleasant element in an otherwise pleasant situation (a-suvidha)

What a fly in the Ointment for Smriti Irani, The BJP won 73 out of 80 seats in U.P. but she still lost her seat from Amethi

  1. Fly off the handle: to suddenly become very angry (aag babula hona)

Salman had a very erratic past. He used to get angry and flies off the handle for the slightest reason

  1. Fly the coop: to escape (usually used for being in jail as in sentence A, but can also be used figuratively as in sentence B)

  1. The prisoner waited until the guards were asleep. He unlocked his cell door with a hair pin and flew the coop.

  2. The man felt trapped in a dead end job. All he wanted to do was to fly the coop.

  1. Follow in (someone’s) footsteps: to follow the same carreer or lifestyle as someone else. (the someone in the expression is traditionally but not necessarily parents) (padchinho par chalna)

The kappor’s for generations has been following in the footsteps of their parets

  1. Food for thought: something to think about (sargarbhit vichar, achchi prerna) (in use since the early 1800’s, this idioms refers metaphorically to the idea that mind chews on thought like the mouth chews on food)

We should give a food for thought for the hazard of pollution in the big cities.

  1. Fool around: to play, or to not be serious about an activity (samay gawana)

There is no point fooling around and not studying during your board examinations

  1. Fool’s gold: something that appears to be of great value but is in fact a cheap imitiation (the expression originates from miners who often found veins of gold colored substance called pyrite, which they mistook for gold.

The scientists thought they had discovered a source of cheap energy through their experiment but it later proved to be nothing but fools gold

  1. Footloose and fancy free: able to go anywhere and do anything that one wants; carefree

It is often said that marriage takes away from you the right of living in a footloose and fancy free manner

  1. Forbidden fruit: something that one cannot have (nisidh hone ke karan vanchniya lagne wali vastu) (the expression originates from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where God forbade Adam and Eve to eat the fruit from one of the trees in the garden of Eden. This made the fruit so tempting that they were unable to resist eating it)

Sweets are the forbidden fruits for diabitis patient and hence it is very tempting for them. There is nothing like the attraction of forbidden fruit

  1. Force to be reckoned with, A: something or someone whose influence or power must be considered.

Everybody though that Aam Aadmi Party will be a force to be reckoned with in the Lok Sabha Elections

  1. For crying out loud: an expletive that means “this is ridiculous”or ï’ve had enough”! it carries no literal meaning of its own, but expresses a strong degree of exasperation (murkh!)

When the doctor could not bear the nuisance of customer anymore, he asked the patient to stop playing around, for crying out loud.

  1. For the birds: a waste of time, mixed up or confused (bekaar)

  1. We’ve been waiting in this line for movie tickets over four hours. Let’s go home. This is for the birds

  2. The boss wants us to work every Saturday for the next three months without pay. He’s for the birds

  1. Forty winks: a short sleep; usually during the day. (jhapki)

During the lunch hour Ramesh ensures to get forty winks after the lunch

  1. Fourth rate: of inferior quality; not the best

In the wake of common wealth game in Kuala Lumpur India has decided to send its fourth rate team for the bilateral series against Pakistan in Canada

  1. From day one: from the beginning; from the outset

If you wan’t to compete study from day one/ from the word go

  1. Full steam ahead: to proceed with maximum power and speed (atyadhik tez gati ke saath aage) (the expression suggests the idea that when a steam engine is full of steam, it operates at maximum power)

The construction of the proposed Metro Rail is going in full steam ahead

  1. Get a handle on, (something): to find a way to deal with the problem or difficult situation (samajhna)

The job sites are getting a handle on Job Aspirants on their Job Search

  1. Get (A) hold of (oneself): to get control of oneself; stop being emotional

After the semifinal loss Vinod Kambli could not get a hold on himself and broke down

  1. Get (A) hold of (someone): to cotact someone or communicate with someone, usually by telephone

The Ambulance brought the little boy to the hospital, and the doctor got a hold of the boy’s parents before he operated.

  1. Get (A) hold of (Something): to acquire or obtain something (the expression is used to describe something that is somewhat difficult to acquire, perhaps because it is rare)

I was able to get hold of the finale ticket

  1. Get a leg up: to make a good start on some activity or project

  2. Get a move on: to hurry (jaldi karna)

Only 10 minutes left for the train to depart, get a move on.

  1. Get a word in edgewise / edgeways: to insert a word or sentence into an otherwise one sided conversations (baat tokna) it is famous world wide that when napoleon used to address no one else use to get a chance to ask anything, because they couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

  2. Get by:to just barely manage financially (sentence A) or with one’s work or rresponsibilities (sentence B)

  1. We’re gretting by now, but if we get an unexpected bill it would bankrupt us

  2. I’m getting by the best way I know how: by working hard.

  1. Get caught / Be left holding the bag [leave (someone) holding the bag]: to make someone the scapegoat; to be blamed for something that was not one’s fault or was only partly one’s fault.

When the fraud busted out the partners left the city and Pran got caught holding the bag

  1. Get down to brass tracks/ business/ the nitty gritty: to get serious or practical about something (mahatwapurn pahlu; saar’)

Your ideas inthis report is hard to understand. Why not take out all the useless information and get down to the nitty gritty?

  1. Get it in the neck: to receive something unpleasant such as criticism or punishment (kaskar maar padna) (the it in the expression probably refers to a foot or fist. The expression suggests getting kicked or hit in the neck)

Anand thought that his company was doing an excellent job, but when the govt didn’t renew its contract, Anand got it in the neck

  1. Get off (one’s) high horse: to stop acting superior (the expression originates from the custom of high ranking officials travelling on a horse back while commoners walked. The physical height of being up on the horse is equated with being in a superior position)

The owner of the departmental store has become very arrogant. He should better get off his horse soon, or he will have no customers.

  1. Get off/ go scot-free: to escape the proper or expected punishment; to be acquitted of a crime (bachna)

Everytime a big politicians is booked by the Police, the court lets them go scot free.

  1. Get (one’s) act / it together: to get control of oneself mentally or physically; to get organized (niyantrit karna)

Unless the team gets its act together, it will be knocked out very soon.

  1. Get (one’s) second wind: to get a second bust of energy (naya josh)

Rahul has got his second wind once he has come back from his mysterious disappearance

  1. Get (someone’s) dander/ hackles up: to irritate or anger moderately

Even in a normal conversation he shouts a lot which gets my dander up

  1. Get (someone’s) goat: to irritate or annoy someone (atyadhik chidhana)

  2. Get (something) off (one’s) chest: to discuss or talk about something that is bothering or worrying one (kah kar chathi ka bojh halka karna)

I shared everything with my boss and felt so relieved after I got it off my chest

  1. Get / hit (something) on the nose: to do or understand something perfectly (bilkul thick)

The entire class gave the right answer within seconds; they have all got it on the nose

  1. Get (something) through (one’s) head: to understand something that is difficult, especially because it is a shock, unwanted or unexpected

The repetitive earthquakes are getting through the citizen’s head

  1. Get / give the go ahead: to receive or grant permission to proceed (sahmati/anumati)

After submitting all the required NOC the builder got the go ahead from the administration for his high rise apartment

  1. Get the message: to understand something that is only hinted at, perhaps because it is unpleasant (samajhna)

The no reply by Rajni to Saurabh’s mails, were enough for him to get the message that she was not interested in him

  1. Get this show on the road: to get started

We’ve been waiting for hours, and I am ready to get started. Let’s get the show on the road.

  1. Get to the bottom of (something): to understand something completely by sorting through all the facts or information (kit tah tak pahuchna)

In the T.V. serial CID Daya and his team gets to the bottom of the crime, to catch the criminals

  1. Get to the point: to speak or write concisely and directly (prasangik)

People seem to get to the point much more quickly when they write e-mail compared to a traditional letter

  1. Get up and go: physical energy (sharirik shakti)

One should have a heavy and nutritious morning breakfast so that it gives enough calories to the person to have a get up and go for the entire day

  1. Get up on the wrong side of the bed: to be in a bad mood from the beginning of the day (subah se hi mizaz bigda hona) (originally this phrase was “got up left food forward” and dates back to the ancient Romans. In their time, the left side of anything was seen as sinister or unlucky, and Romans believed it was bad luck to put the left foot down first when getting out of bed. The idea that left is bad continued for centuries and eventually the left was replaced with wrong)

When I woke up in the morning their was neither light nor water, and for the entire day I got up on the wrong side of the bed

  1. Get / give (someone / something) short shrift: to make quick work of something or to give little time to someone

The major problems with today’s tech savvy students are that they give short shrift on writing notes

  1. Get / give (someone) the cold shoulder: to ignore someone intentionally (jaan bujh kar dhyan na dena; rukha vyawhar karna)

After the infamous fight between Salman and Shahrukh, for many years they used to give each other a cold shoulder

  1. Get / give (someone) the green light: to get or give permission to proceed (this expression comes from the green light on a stop light, which indicates that cars can move forward)

  2. Get / give (someone) the sack: to be fired from one’s job (kaam chodhne ka aadesh)

The defence ministry during the tenure of George Fernandes sacked Vishnu Bhagwat as the naval chief

  1. Get / give (someone) the short end of the stick: to get (give someone) the unfair or less advantageous part of a deal or arrangement

When the division of the work was being done Ajay got ironing while Vijay got washing clothes and as there was no geysers in the chilli winter vijay had to wash the clothes with freezing water. He got the short end of the stick

  1. Get / give (someone) the third degree: to be questioned in great detail (suchna prapt karne hetu police se di jaane wali)

In the Ayushi murder case the Talwar couple had to face many rounds of questions. They got plenty of third degrees from the police

  1. Get / have (something) down pat: to do something repeatedly until one knows how to do it without a mistake; to perfect an activity

The musicians practiced really hard and can now play the notation even with the folded eye, he had it down pat

  1. Get / lend (someone) A hand: to help someone (madad karna)

I need some help lighting these boxes who can give me hand

  1. Gift of gab,The: the ability to speak easily and well (jibha par araswati ka vaas) (the word gab is probably an old English variation of the Scottish word ‘gab’which means ‘mouth’or ‘beak’)

The Binaca Geet Mala was such a Rage as it was presented by Ameen Sayani who had the gift of the gab.

  1. Give in: to surrender (haar maan jana; dab jana; jhuk jana)

The strike was called off after the management gave in to theworkers demand

  1. Give (one’s) right (body part) for /to do (something): to want something very much something very much (give right arm to : vada karna) (the expression suggests that one wants something so much that one is willing to give an essential part of one’s body for it)

I want this job so badly that I can give my eye for this job

  1. Give (some) A hard time: to be difficult with someone, to give someone unnecessary difficulty (pareshan karna)

The manger gave the probationers a very hard time during his early days in the job

  1. Give (some one) A piece of (one’s) mind: to confront someone who has behaved badly (saaf saaf keh dena)

Seema was upset with Arfaat’s deliberate rash driving and told him just what she thought of him. She really gave him a piece of her mind

  1. Give (someone) A ring: to call someone on telephone

Before leaving for the party the parents instructed the maid if the child feels uneasy, just give them a ring

  1. Give (someone) A snow job: to someone a description of something or someone that is realistically attractive and positive

The English teacher was trying to find students to help with the publication of the school newspaper. She gave us a snow job about how much fun it would be and how little work it was – in fact, it was a very hard work

  1. Give (someone) A / some song and dance: to give someone an overly dramatic or unbelievably excuse

Every time when I ask Gyanchand about his irregular attendance in the office, he comes up with some song and dance

  1. Give (someone) a taste of (his/her) own medicine: to treat someone the same way they treat others (especially when they are strict, unfair or unkind) (jaise ko taisa – tit for tat)

Donald received a flurry (jhonka) of bouncers from Ambrose and Walosh; when he got his chance to bowl, he have them the taste of their own medicine.

  1. Give (someone /something) A wide Berth: to allow a lot of space between oneself and someone or something else when passing (se door rahna) (the expression probably originates from the 18th century meaning of berth: sufficient sea-roo for one ship to pass another)

Everytime the kids sees that stray dog he gives it a wide berth.

  1. Give (someone) the cold shoulder: to be unfriendly to somebody

The relationship between Dixit and Sanjeev has soured to such a level where both of them show cold shoulder to each other

  1. Give (someone) the shirt off (one’s ) back: to give (figuratively) someone all one’s possession; to be very generous (the expression suggests that one would give someone all one’s money and possession down even to the shirt one is wearing)

The parents give their children their shirts, off their back to give them a good life

  1. Go against the grain: to be contrary to someone’s nature (swabhav ke viruddh hona) (the expression originates from the idea that sowing wood against the grain (the natural direction of wood growth) is difficult

The judge has to go aginst the grain to pronounce their judgement, in order to save his friend’s child.

  1. Go around in circles: to be confused or lost, to make no progress (antarvrit)

Even after doing couple of years of various coachings, Anil has not got a job and is going around in circles.

  1. Go bananas [drive (someone) bananas]: to go crazy; to no longer be able to cope with a situation. To drive someone bananas eans to annoy or irritate someone (gusse me aapa kho dena, bhadakna)

Anyone will go bananas with the prevailing concall culture in the corporate sector

  1. Go broke: to run out of money completely; to become penniless

When I left my job for my coaching venture, many predicted that I will go broke

  1. Go for broke: to risk everything (jaan ki baazi lagana)

Raj Kappor went for broke and invested all his money in his magnum opus ‘Mera Naam Joker’

  1. Go haywire: to malfunction; to break down (generally applied to machine) (band padna)

In extreme summers the Air Conditioners goes haywire due to adjustments of temperature

  1. Go it alone: to travel some path or do some activity by oneself, often something dangerous or risky (swatantra roop se karya karna)

Going it alone on a big project is never a wise idea.

  1. Go off half cocked: to do or say something in haste or without adequate planning or preparation (mamuli shuruwat hona)(the expression probably originates from the idea of a gun misfiring when it is only half-cocked (as opposed to fully cocked), and therefore not fully ready to be fired

I know your daughter is late, but before you go off half cocked, give, her a chance to tell you her side of story.

  1. Go off the deep end: to become deeply involved with someone or something before one is ready; to go crazy (aape se bahar hona; kisi kaam ko had se jyada karna)

The whole nation was overly excited about the first edition of Indian Premiere league; it was new and different and audience went off the deep end.

  1. Go out on a limb: to take a risk (bina kisi sahyog ke) (the expression suggests that going out on a tree branch that might break is risky. The expression however, is not used to describe physical risk)

They went out on a limb and lent him the money he asked for even though he was a poor.

  1. Go over with a bang: to be exyremely successful (bahut safal hona)

The harry portar series was hugely popular. It went over with a bang

  1. Go overboard: to go to excess; to do too much (had karna)

There are so many news channels coming out with the same stories, that people are overboard watchinhg it

  1. Go over like a lead balloon: to be completely unsuccessful, contrary to expectation, to fail

Aap foray into politics was extremely successful, but lok sabha elections performance went over like a lead balloon

  1. Go to pieces: to fall apart physically or emotionally; to lose one’s self control (tootna) (the expression often describes uncontrabble crying)

After the semi final loss the South African player fell into pieces

  1. Go to pot / seed: to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate from lack of attention (barbad hona)

The reastaurant used to be so fashionable and classy, but it has gone to the dogs/ pot/ seed since it changed management

  1. Go to town: to do something with maximum enthusiasm; to splurge (kharch karna ya paise udane ki dhun) (rangreliya manana)

Salman and family decided to spare no expense for Arpita’s wedding. They really wanted to go to town on her wedding arrangement

  1. Go up in smoke: to disappear; to be ruined (puri tarah se nasht hona)

The family managed to escape from the burning house. As they stood outside the cold, they watched their house go up in smoke

  1. Go the whole hog (go to town)

  2. Go with the flow: to take a relaxed attitude towards life

The doctor advised Neha not to be over stressed because of exam pressure and asked her to go with the flow

  1. Golden age: a time when something is at its best (the expression usually used to refer to past) (swarnyug)

The era of Bedi, Prassana, Chandrasekhar and venkatraghwan is considered as golden age for spin bowling in India

  1. Good egg: a person who is basically good or sound, but who may be slightly peculiar or idiosyncratic

In the initial period Bapu’s satyagrah seemed strange to the world, but they soon realized that Bapu was a good egg.

  1. Good grief!: an expletive that means “this is ridiculous”or “I’ve had enough”(are baap re)

  2. Good Samaritan: a person who helps someone in trouble without thought of personal gain (nek aadmi) (the expression has its orogin in a story from the New Testament in which a man from samaria helped someone who had been robbed by thieves)

The RSS people has traditionally been a Good Samaritan

  1. Grasp at straws: to act in desperation with little help of success (doobte ko tinke ka sahara)

The thief told the Judge one excuse after another. It was obvious that he was desperate and grasping at straws

  1. Gravy train: an effortless time or job; a life of luxury (sulabh jeeva/ paisa)

During the stock market boom, whoever invested wisely is now on the gravy train

  1. Gray /grey matter: brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence (the expression refers to brain tissue and suggests that one’s intelligence is in direct proportion to the size of one’s brain) (budhhimta)

Einstein is considered to be the person who had the highest of gray matters

  1. Green around the gills: stick to one’s stomach, nauseated

How can you eat uncooked meal? Doesn’t that make you green around the gills?

  1. Green thumb: natural ability to grow plants (bagbani me kushal)

Amy really has a green thumb. Everything she plants in her garden grows so well

  1. Grim reaper: death (mrityu) (the expression originates from the literary depiction of death as a hooded grim figure carrying a scythe (a farm tool made with a long, curved blade attached at an angle to a long handle) he uses the scythe to reap people

We’ll all die in the end. You can’t cheat the grim reaper



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