A group of words in a fixed
order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of
each word understood on its own is known as idiom.
Cambridge Advance Learner’s Dictionary
1. A bad debt: ڈوبا ہوا قرض
The bank is facing with difficulties owing to bad debts.
The bank is facing with difficulties owing to bad debts.
2. A bird’s eye view: سرسری نظر
I cannot comment on this book because I have only a bird’s eye view of it.
I cannot comment on this book because I have only a bird’s eye view of it.
3. A blue stocking: ادبی ذوق رکھنے والی خاتون
She is regarded as a blue–stocking in literary circles.
She is regarded as a blue–stocking in literary circles.
4. A bolt from the blue: ناگہانی آفت
The untimely death of his father proved a bolt from the blue for him.
The untimely death of his father proved a bolt from the blue for him.
5. A bone of contention/ An apple
of discord: فساد کی جڑ
The undivided property became a bone of contention between the two brothers.
The undivided property became a bone of contention between the two brothers.
6. A bull in a china shop: غیر محتاط شخص
7. He shouts even in the hospital
because he is a bull in a china shop.
8. A burning question: اہم معاملہ
Terrorism is a burning question nowadays for the whole world.
Terrorism is a burning question nowadays for the whole world.
9. A cry in the wilderness: صدا بصحرا، بے کار کوشش
I hope your efforts will not prove a cry in the wilderness.
I hope your efforts will not prove a cry in the wilderness.
10. A dark horse: چھپا رستم
He proved to be a dark horse by beating the champion in chess.
He proved to be a dark horse by beating the champion in chess.
11. A dead letter: کالعدم قانون
Capital punishment is a dead letter in some countries.
Capital punishment is a dead letter in some countries.
12. A fair-weather friend: مطلبی دوست
A fair-weather friend deserts at the time of adversity.
A fair-weather friend deserts at the time of adversity.
13. A feather in one’s cap: اعزاز
His brilliant success in speech competition was another feather in his cap.
His brilliant success in speech competition was another feather in his cap.
14. A fish out of water: بے چین، مضطرب
When her only son was lost, she felt like a fish out of water.
When her only son was lost, she felt like a fish out of water.
15. A fly in the ointment: رنگ میں بھنگ
A pessimist person is a fly in the ointment in every gathering.
A pessimist person is a fly in the ointment in every gathering.
16. A fool’s paradise: خام خیالی، احمقوں کی جنت
Those who do nothing but cherish mere dreams, live in a fool’s paradise.
Those who do nothing but cherish mere dreams, live in a fool’s paradise.
17. A good turn: بھلا، امدادی کام
He has done many a good turn in his life.
He has done many a good turn in his life.
18. A hard pill to swallow/ A hard
nut to crack/ A tough nut to crack: مشکل کام
To get good marks in examination without preparation is a hard pill to swallow.
To get good marks in examination without preparation is a hard pill to swallow.
19. A house of cards: ناپائدار چیز
Life is no more than a house of cards.
Life is no more than a house of cards.
20. A kick in the teeth: دھچکا لگنا، نقصان اٹھانا
The world economy had a kick in the teeth in recent years.
The world economy had a kick in the teeth in recent years.
21. A labour of love: بلا معاوضہ کام
Although it was a labour of love yet she worked day in and day out in hospital.
Although it was a labour of love yet she worked day in and day out in hospital.
22. A laughing stock: ہنسی کا نشانہ
Owing to her wagging tongue, she is always a laughing stock to her classmates.
Owing to her wagging tongue, she is always a laughing stock to her classmates.
23. A nine days’ wonder: چار دن کی چاندنی
Your current affectation of trying hard is just a nine days’ wonder.
Your current affectation of trying hard is just a nine days’ wonder.
24. A red-letter day/A gala day: خوشی کا دن
August 14 is a red-letter day for Pakistani nation.
August 14 is a red-letter day for Pakistani nation.
25. A rolling stone: بار بار رائے بدلنے والا
A rolling stone gathers no moss./ Rolling stones never succeed in their aims.
A rolling stone gathers no moss./ Rolling stones never succeed in their aims.
26. A sugar daddy: عیاش بوڑھا
A sugar daddy is not seen with respect.
A sugar daddy is not seen with respect.
27. A walk over: بلا مقابلہ فتح
He had no competitor and had a walk over to the final.
He had no competitor and had a walk over to the final.
28. A white elephant: سفید ہاتھی
A car is a white elephant for a poor man.
A car is a white elephant for a poor man.
29. A wild goose chase: لا حاصل چیز کا تعاقب
To appear in the examination without preparation is a wild goose chase.
To appear in the examination without preparation is a wild goose chase.
30. Above board: واضح، کھلا
He makes his dealings above board.
He makes his dealings above board.
31. To add fuel to fire/ to add insult to injury: جلتی پر تیل ڈالنا
First of all his insulting behaviour and then humiliating remarks added fuel to fire.
First of all his insulting behaviour and then humiliating remarks added fuel to fire.
32. After one’s own heart: طبیعت کے عین
مطابق
He furnished his house after his own heart.
He furnished his house after his own heart.
33. To be all and end all: مقصد حیات ہونا
Acquisition of wealth is not the all and end all of life.
Acquisition of wealth is not the all and end all of life.
34. All in all: مختار کل
Allah Almighty is all in all in His affairs.
Allah Almighty is all in all in His affairs.
35. An eye-wash: دھوکہ، فریب
Your promise to work hard is just an eye-wash.
Your promise to work hard is just an eye-wash.
36. Apple of one’s eyes: آنکھوں کا تارا
He is the apple of his parents’ eyes.
He is the apple of his parents’ eyes.
37. At a pinch: مشکل حالات میں
I sought his help when I was at a pinch.
I sought his help when I was at a pinch.
38. At a stone’s throw: قریب
My office is at a stone’s throw from my house.
My office is at a stone’s throw from my house.
39. At a stretch: لگاتار، مسلسل
It rained at a stretch yesterday and many crops were damaged.
It rained at a stretch yesterday and many crops were damaged.
40. At an arm’s length: دور، پرے، فاصلے پر
You should keep that rogue at an arm’s length.
You should keep that rogue at an arm’s length.
41. At daggers drawn: دشمن
They were fast friends but now they are at daggers drawn with each other.
They were fast friends but now they are at daggers drawn with each other.
42. At eleventh hour: آخری/عین وقت پر
He promised to help me but backed out at the eleventh hour.
He promised to help me but backed out at the eleventh hour.
43. At home in: ماہر
He is at home in Mathematics.
He is at home in Mathematics.
44. At length: مسلسل، روانی سے
Women are in habit of talking at length.
Women are in habit of talking at length.
45. At one’s wits’ end: بد حواس
When the thief was caught red handed, he was at his wits’ end.
When the thief was caught red handed, he was at his wits’ end.
46. At sea/All at sea: حیران و سراسیمہ
He was at sea when he heard the news of his failure.
He was at sea when he heard the news of his failure.
47. At sixes and sevens: منتشر، بکھرا ہوا
The factory workers left everything at sixes and sevens and went on strike.
The factory workers left everything at sixes and sevens and went on strike.