70 Most Common English To Urdu Idioms With Meanings

Discover the top 70 most common English idioms and phrases with clear examples and meanings. Enhance your English language skills today with Just learn! 

Most Common English To Urdu Idioms With Meanings

Introduction: Idioms are expressions that are specific to a particular language and culture. They are a fascinating aspect of language, and understanding them can enhance your ability to communicate effectively in a language. However, idioms can be confusing to non-native speakers because their meanings are often different from the literal meanings of the words used. In this article, we will explore the most common idioms in English, with examples and meanings, helping you to unlock the secrets of the English language.

Here is a list of some of the most common idioms with examples and meanings

Break the ice

• Meaning: To try to become friends with someone; to make a start of something.
• Example: It’s always easiest to break the ice after I’ve had a few drinks.

Break a leg

• Meaning: Good luck, best wishes.
• Example: You have a test tomorrow? Break a leg!

Fair and square

• Meaning: Being direct or fair.
• Example: To tell you fair and square, I did everything that I was meant to do, but I still feel unfulfilled.

Having an ace up the sleeve

• Meaning: Having a secret advantage that can be used if necessary.
• Example: I always keep a few extra copies of my resume, just in case. It’s like having an ace up the sleeve.

Barking up the wrong tree

• Meaning: To make a mistake or pursue a false lead.
• Example: I think you’re barking up the wrong tree if you think that’s the answer.

Burning the midnight oil

• Meaning: To work late into the night.
• Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my report on time.

Piece of cake

• Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
• Example: Don’t worry about that assignment; it’s a piece of cake.

Costs an arm and a leg

• Meaning: Something that is very expensive.
• Example: I would love to buy a new car, but they cost an arm and a leg.

Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something quickly or cheaply, without doing it properly.
• Example: I’m sorry, but we can’t cut corners on this project. We need to do it properly.

Drive someone up the wall

• Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone.
• Example: That noise is driving me up the wall.

Hit the nail on the head

• Meaning: To be exactly right.
• Example: You hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly what I was thinking.

In the same boat

• Meaning: In the same difficult situation.
• Example: Don’t worry; we’re in the same boat. We’ll figure it out together.

Kick the bucket

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: I don’t want to kick the bucket before I’ve had a chance to travel the world.

Miss the boat

• Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
• Example: You missed the boat if you didn’t invest in cryptocurrency when it was still new.

Out of the blue

• Meaning: Unexpectedly.
• Example: I haven’t seen her in years, but she called me out of the blue.

Play it by ear

• Meaning: To improvise.
• Example: We don’t have a set schedule; we’ll just have to play it by ear.

Pull someone’s leg

• Meaning: To joke with someone.
• Example: I’m just pulling your leg; I didn’t really eat all the cookies.

See eye to eye

• Meaning To agree.
• Example: We see eye to eye on most things, but we disagree on this issue.

The ball is in your court

• Meaning: It’s your turn to take action.
• Example: I’ve given you all the information you need; now the ball is in your court.

A Blessing in Disguise

• Meaning: A good thing that initially seemed bad
• Example: Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because it led me to start my own business.

A Piece of Cake

• Meaning: Something that is very easy to do
• Example: I thought the exam was going to be tough, but it turned out to be a piece of cake.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

• Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking about
• Example: “You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?

Back to Square One

• Meaning: Back to the beginning
• Example: After trying various methods to fix the issue, we’re back to square one.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

• Meaning: Looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person
• Example: If you think John stole the money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. He was with me all night.

Break a Leg

• Meaning: Good luck, best wishes
• Example: Break a leg on your performance tonight!

Cost an Arm and a Leg

• Meaning: Very expensive
• Example: I would love to have a new car, but they cost an arm and a leg.

Cross Your Fingers

• Meaning: Hoping for good luck or a positive outcome
• Example: I’m crossing my fingers that I get the job.

Cut Corners

• Meaning: Doing something poorly or cheaply to save time or money
• Example: If you cut corners on this project, you’ll regret it later.

Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk

• Meaning: Don’t worry about something that has already happened
• Example: I lost my phone, but there’s no point in crying over spilt milk.

Go the Extra Mile

• Meaning: Going above and beyond what is expected
• Example: If you want to succeed in business, you need to be willing to go the extra mile.

Hit the Nail on the Head

• Meaning: Correctly identifying the problem or solution
• Example: You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the issue.

Keep Your Chin Up

• Meaning: Staying optimistic in difficult times
• Example: Keep your chin up, things will get better.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

• Meaning: Leave a situation alone to avoid making it worse
• Example: We had an argument, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring it up again.

Make Ends Meet

• Meaning: To earn enough money to cover expenses
• Example: We’re struggling to make ends meet with just one income.

On the Same Page

• Meaning: Having a mutual understanding or agreement
• Example: We need to make sure we’re all on the same page before we move forward.

A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: A good thing that initially seemed bad.
• Example: Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity to start my own business.

A dime a dozen

• Meaning: Something that is very common, not unique.
• Example: In this city, coffee shops are a dime a dozen.

Adding insult to injury

• Meaning: To make a bad situation even worse.
• Example: After getting into a car accident, the other driver tried to blame me for the damage, which added insult to injury.

All ears

• Meaning: Listening carefully.
• Example: I’m all ears if you need someone to talk to.

Apple of my eye

• Meaning: Someone who is very important or special to you.
• Example: My son is the apple of my eye.

Beat around the bush

• Meaning: Avoiding the main topic.
• Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.

Better late than never

• Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
• Example: I finally finished my degree at the age of 50. Better late than never, right?

Break the ice

• Meaning: To try to become friends with someone; to make a start of something.
• Example: It’s always easiest to break the ice after I’ve had a few drinks.

Break a leg

• Meaning: Good luck, best wishes.
• Example: You have a test tomorrow? Break a leg!

By the skin of your teeth

• Meaning: Narrowly avoiding disaster.
• Example: I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth.

Cat got your tongue

• Meaning: Can’t think of anything to say.
• Example: When the teacher called on me, the cat got my tongue.

Caught red-handed

• Meaning: Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
• Example: The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.

Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: Crying over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example: There’s no point crying over spilled milk. Let’s move on.

Cut corners

• Meaning: Doing something poorly or taking shortcuts.
• Example: He cut corners on the project and it ended up being a disaster.

Devil’s advocate

• Meaning: Arguing against something for the sake of argument.
• Example: I know you want to buy that car, but let me play devil’s advocate for a moment and point out its flaws.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

• Meaning: Don’t judge someone or something by their appearance.
• Example: She may look intimidating, but don’t judge a book by its cover.

Easy come, easy go

• Meaning: Something gained easily is often lost just as easily.
• Example: I won the lottery, but lost all the money just as quickly. Easy come, easy go.

Every cloud has a silver lining

• Meaning: There is something positive in every negative situation.
• Example: Losing my job allowed me to spend more time with my family. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Fit as a fiddle

• Meaning: In good health.
• Example: Despite being 70 years old, he is fit as a fiddle.

Exploring Popular Idioms in American English

Animal-based idioms:

• Ants in your pants
• Barking up the wrong tree
• Cat got your tongue?

Food-based idioms

• Bite off more than you can chew
• Couch potato
• Cream of the crop

Body-based idioms

• All ears
• Bite your tongue
• Keep your chin up

List of 70 English IDIOMS in Urdu Meanings with Examples

Here is the full list of Idioms with examples In Urdu.

List 1 – Idioms with Examples and Urdu Meaning

Also Read,

List 2 – Idioms with Examples and Urdu Meaning

List 3 – Idioms with Examples and Urdu Meaning

List 4 – Idioms with Examples and Urdu Meaning

FAQs

Why is it important to learn idioms?

Learning idioms can help improve your fluency in English and make your speech and writing more natural and sophisticated. They are an integral part of the English language and are often used in everyday conversation.

How can I learn idioms?

One of the best ways to learn idioms is to read and listen to authentic English language materials such as books, movies, and TV shows. You can also use online resources that provide idioms with examples and meanings.

Can idioms be translated directly?

No, idioms cannot be translated directly as their meanings are often different from the literal meanings of the words used. It is essential to understand the cultural context and usage of the idiom to use them correctly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the list of 70 most common idioms with meanings and examples provided by ilmhere can be a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their English language skills. Idioms can add color and expressiveness to everyday speech, and while understanding and using them in the right context can be challenging, with practice, one can gradually develop the skills needed to incorporate idioms into their communication.

Idioms PDF Free Download

As we have discussed in detail 70 most common idioms with meanings and examples in the above article. Make your time valuable and get a PDF of idioms without wasting time by clicking on the link below.

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