War and Fight

A bone of ‫ فساد کی وجہ‬Kashmir is a bone of ‫کشمیر پاکستان اور بھارت‬

contention contention between ‫کے مابین تنازعہ کی وجہ‬
Pakistan and India. ‫ہے۔‬
Apple of discord ‫ فساد کی وجہ‬Kashmir is an apple of ‫کشمیر پاکستان اور بھارت‬
discord between ‫کے مابین تنازعہ کی وجہ‬
Pakistan and India. ‫ہے۔‬
Burning question ‫ اہم ترین مسئلہ‬Kashmir is a burning ‫کشمیر ہمارے لئے ایک‬
question for us. ‫اہم ترین مسئلہ ہے۔‬
Necessary evil ‫ نا گزیر برائی‬Is the war a necessary ‫کیا جنگ دنیا میں ایک‬
evil in the world? ‫ضروری برائی ہے؟‬
War is a necessary ‫دنیا میں جنگ ایک‬
evil in the world. ‫ضروری برائی ہے۔‬

Chicken-hearted ‫ بزدل‬Their army is chicken- ‫ان کی فوج بزدل ہے۔‬

hearted. ‫ہندوستانی فوج بزدل ہے۔‬
OR
Indian army is
chicken-hearted.
Show the white ‫ بزدلی دکھانا‬The enemy showed ‫دشمن نے جنگ میں بزدلی‬
feather the white feather in ‫دکھائی اور وہاں سے‬
the war and ran ‫بھاگ گئے۔‬
away.
In the air ‫ زبان زد عام‬It is in the air that war ‫یہ زبان زد عام ہے کہ‬
will start soon. ‫جنگ جلد ہی شروع‬
‫ہوجائے گی۔‬
In full swing ‫ پورے زوروں‬The war is in full ‫جنگ پورے زوروں پر‬
‫ پر‬swing. ‫ہے۔‬
See which way the ‫ حاالت کا‬Army is waiting to see ‫آرمی یہ دیکھنے کے‬
cat jumps ‫ انتظار کرنا‬which way the cat ‫انتظار میں ہے کہ حاالت‬
jumps. ‫کیسے ہوتے ہیں۔‬
At one’s beck and ‫ حکم کے‬The soldiers are at ‫فوجی آرمی چیف کے‬
call ‫ منتظر‬army chief’s beck and ‫حکم کے منتظر ہیں۔‬
call.
Gird up one's loins ‫ ہمت کرنا‬The Army Chief asked ‫آرمی چیف نے اپنے‬
his soldiers to gird up ‫جوانوں کو کمر‬
their loins. ‫ہمت کرنے کو‬/‫باندھنے‬
Gird up your loins and ‫کہا۔‬
get ready for ‫ہمت کرو اور امتحانات‬
examinations. ‫کے لئے تیار ہوجاؤ۔‬

Take heart ‫ ہمت کرنا‬Take heart and get ‫ہمت کرو اور لڑائی کے‬
ready for fight. ‫لئے تیار ہوجاؤ۔‬
OR ‫ہمت کرو اور اور اپنا‬
Take heart and do ‫فرض ادا کرو۔‬
your duty.
To back up ‫ حوصلہ افزائی‬We should back up ‫ہمیں اپنے فوجیوں کی‬
‫ کرنا‬our soldiers. ‫حوصلہ افزائی کرنی‬
‫چاہئے۔‬
Throw cold water ‫ حوصلہ شکنی‬Don’t throw cold ‫ہمارے منصوبوں کی‬
upon ‫ کرنا‬water upon our plans. ‫حوصلہ شکنی نہ کریں۔‬
(Keep someone) at ‫ دور‬Keep your enemies at ‫اپنے دشمنوں کو دور‬
arm’s length arm's length. ‫رکھیں۔‬
Keep an eye on ‫ نظر رکھنا‬Keep an eye on your ‫اپنے دشمنوں پر نگاہ‬
enemies. ‫رکھیں۔‬
Be on the alert ،‫ ہوشیار رہنا‬Every soldier should ‫ہر سپاہی ہمیشہ‬
‫ چوکنا‬always be on the ‫ہوشیار رہنا چاہئے۔‬/‫چوکنا‬
alert. ‫چوکیدار کو ہمیشہ چوکنا‬
 OR ‫رہنا چاہئے۔‬
A watchman should
always be on the
alert.
Be on one's guard ‫ ہوشیار رہنا‬A soldier should ‫سپاہی کو ہمیشہ‬
always be on his ‫ہوشیار رہنا چاہئے۔‬/‫چوکنا‬
guard.
Watch and ward ،‫ ہوشیار رہنا‬Our soldiers always ‫ہمارے فوجی ہمیشہ محاذ‬
‫ نگرانی کرنا‬watch and ward on ‫پر نگرانی کرتے ہیں۔‬
the front.
At daggers drawn ‫ ہر وقت لڑنے‬Both the enemies are ‫دونوں دشمن ہمیشہ لڑنے‬
،‫ کو تیار‬at daggers drawn. ‫کے لئے تیار رہتے ہیں۔‬
‫دشمنی‬
Up in arms ‫ احتجاج‬Kashmiris are up in ‫کشمیری آزادی کے لئے‬
arms for freedom. ‫احتجاج پر ہیں۔‬
Stick to one's guns ‫ ڈٹے رہنا‬Kashmiris stick to ‫کشمیری آزادی کے لئے‬
their guns for ‫ڈٹے رہتے ہیں۔‬
freedom.
On the verge of ‫ کے قریب ہونا‬Both countries are on ‫دونوں ممالک جنگ کے‬
the verge of war. ‫دہانے پر ہیں۔‬
At the point of ‫ کے ہونا‬Pakistan and India are ‫پاکستان اور بھارت جنگ‬
‫ قریب‬at the point of war. ‫قریب ہیں۔‬/‫کے موڑ پر ہیں‬
Come to blows ‫ لڑائی پر آ‬After the heated ، ‫گرما گرم بحث کے بعد‬
‫ جانا‬argument, they came ‫وہ آپس میں لڑ پڑے۔‬
to blows.
To the bitter end ‫ آخری حد تک‬The Pakistani Army ‫پاکستانی فوج تلخ انجام‬
‫ تلخ انجام تک‬can fight to the bitter ‫تک لڑ سکتی ہے۔‬
end.
‫‪Tooth and nail‬‬ ‫‪ The army fought‬پورے زور‬
‫‪ tooth and nail.‬سے‬
‫‪Might and main‬‬ ‫فوج نے پورے زور سے‪ The army fought with /‬پوری طاقت‬
‫‪ might and main.‬سے‬
‫‪With an iron hand‬‬ ‫‪ We should cope with‬سختی سے‬
‫‪the enemy with an‬‬
‫‪iron hand.‬‬
‫‪Take the bull by‬‬ ‫‪ The army must take‬مشکالت کا‬
‫‪horns‬‬ ‫‪ the bull by horns.‬بہادری سے‬
‫مقابلہ کرنا‬
‫‪Cast aside‬‬ ‫‪ Cast aside your‬دور کرنا‪،‬ختم‬
‫‪ differences.‬کرنا‬
‫‪Cast aside your bad‬‬
‫‪blood.‬‬
‫‪Bury the hatchet‬‬ ‫‪ Both the enemies‬دشمنی یا‬
‫‪ should not carry the‬لڑائی چھوڑ‬
‫‪ quarrel too far and‬دینا‬
‫‪bury the hatchet at‬‬
‫‪once.‬‬
‫‪Carry too far‬‬ ‫‪ Don’t carry the‬دور تک لے‬
‫‪ quarrel too far.‬جانا‬
‫‪Come to terms‬‬ ‫‪ Pakistan and India‬سمجھوتہ‬
‫‪ cannot come to terms‬کرنا‬
‫‪easily.‬‬
‫‪(Pakistan and India‬‬
‫)‪come to blows easily.‬‬
‫‪Come to an end‬‬ ‫‪ The meeting has‬اختتام پزیر‬
‫‪ come to an end.‬ہونا‬
‫فوج نے پورے زور سے‪/‬‬
‫طاقت سے مقابلہ کیا۔‬
‫طاقت سے مقابلہ کیا۔‬
‫ہمیں سختی سے دشمن کا‬
‫مقابلہ کرنا چاہئے۔‬
‫فوج کو مشکالت کا‬
‫بہادری سے مقابلہ کرنا‬
‫چاہئے۔‬
‫اپنے اختالفات کو ایک‬
‫طرف رکھیں‪/‬ختم کریں۔‬
‫اپنی رنجش کو ختم کریں۔‬
‫دونوں دشمنوں کو جھگڑا‬
‫بہت دور نہیں لے جانا‬
‫چاہئے اور فورا ً لڑائی‬
‫چھوڑ دینی چاہئے۔‬
‫جھگڑا بہت دور نہ لے‬
‫جاؤ۔‬
‫پاکستان اور ہندوستان‬
‫آسانی سے سمجھوتے پر‬
‫نہیں آسکتے۔‬
‫(پاکستان اور ہندوستان‬
‫باآسانی لڑائی پر آجاتے‬
‫ہیں۔)‬
‫اجالس اختتام کو پہنچا‬
‫ہے۔‬
 ‫‪The fight has come to‬‬
‫‪an end.‬‬
‫‪Lick the dust‬‬ ‫‪ The enemy had to lick‬ذلت اٹھانا‬
‫‪the dust in war.‬‬
‫‪Do away with‬‬ ‫‪ Pakistan and India‬ترک کرنا‪،‬‬
‫‪ should do away with‬ختم کرنا‬
‫‪war.‬‬
‫‪The criminal has done‬‬
‫‪away with crime.‬‬
‫لڑائی کا خاتمہ ہوگیاہے۔‬
‫جنگ میں دشمن کو ذلت‬
‫اٹھانی پڑی۔‬
‫پاکستان اور بھارت کو‬
‫جنگ کا خاتمہ کرنا‬
‫چاہئے۔‬
‫مجرم نے جرم کرنا ختم‬
‫کر دیا ہے۔‬

‫‪At the mercy of‬‬ ‫‪ Kashmir is at the‬کے رحم و‬ ‫کشمیرہللا تعالی کے رحم و‬
‫‪ mercy of Almighty‬کرم پر‬ ‫کرم پر ہے۔‬
‫‪Allah.‬‬
‫‪Bad blood‬‬ ‫‪ India and Pakistan‬دشمنی‪،‬رنجش‬ ‫بھارت اور پاکستان کے‬
‫‪have bad blood‬‬ ‫مابین دشمنی ہے۔‬
‫‪between them.‬‬ ‫علی اور احسن کے‬
‫درمیان کوئی رنجش نہیں ‪Ali and Ahsan have no‬‬
‫‪bad blood between‬‬ ‫ہے۔‬
‫‪them.‬‬
‫‪Beard the lion in his‬‬ ‫ابی نندن دشمن کو اس کے ‪ Abhi Nandan wanted‬دشمن کو اس‬
‫‪den‬‬ ‫گھر جا کر للکارنا چاہتا ‪ to beard the lion in his‬کے گھر جا‬
‫‪ den, but Kashmiris‬کر للکارنا‬ ‫تھا ‪ ،‬لیکن کشمیریوں نے‬
‫‪beat him black and‬‬ ‫اسے بہت پیٹا۔‬
‫‪blue.‬‬
‫‪Beat black and blue‬‬ ‫‪ Kashmiris beat him‬زور سے‬ ‫کشمیریوں نے اسے بہت‬
‫‪ black and blue.‬مارنا‬ ‫پیٹا۔‬
‫‪Bell the cat‬‬ ‫یو این او میں امریکی کے ‪ Who will bell the cat‬مشکل کام‬
‫بارے میں شکایت کرکے ‪ by complaining about‬کرنا‪ ،‬بلی کے‬
‫?‪ US in UNO‬گلے میں‬ ‫بلی کے گلے میں گھنٹی‬
‫گھنٹی باندھنا‬ ‫کون باندھے گا؟‬
A dog in the ‫ جو نہ کھیلے‬India is a dog in the ‫بھارت امن پالیسی میں‬
manger ‫ نہ کھیلنے‬manger in peace ‫ایسے ہے جیسے چرنی‬
‫ نہ خود‬،‫ دے‬policy. ‫میں ایک کتا ہو جو نہ خود‬
‫خوش ہونا نا‬ ‫کچھ کھاتا ہے نہ بغض‬
‫ہونے دینا‬ ‫میں دوسرے کو کھانے‬
‫دیتا ہے۔‬
#Beat the air ‫ بیکار کوشش‬Pakistan is beating ‫پاکستان بھارت سے امن‬
‫ کرنا‬the air by asking India ‫کی درخواست کرکے‬
for peace. ‫بیکار کوشش کررہا ہے۔‬
Blind alley ‫ بند گلی‬All peace talks ‫پاکستان اور بھارت کے‬
between Pakistan and ‫مابین ہونے والے تمام امن‬
India were proved ‫مذاکرات بند گلی ثابت‬
blind alley. ‫ہوئے۔‬

A dead letter ‫ متروک‬Cease-fire )armistice( ‫سیز فائر غیر موثر ثابت‬

was proved to be a ‫ہوا۔‬
dead letter.
(Armistice word is
used in Mustafa
Kamal)
Null and void ،‫ کالعدم‬Cease-fire armistice is ‫سیز فائر اب کالعدم ہے۔‬
‫ منسوخ‬null and void now. ‫قانون کو کالعدم قرار دیا‬
The law has been ‫گیا ہے۔‬
declared null and
void.
Give a false ‫ غلط رنگ‬India gives a false ‫بھارت نے پاکستان کے‬
colouring to ‫ دینا‬colouring to ‫امن مذاکرات کو غلط‬
Pakistan's peace talk. ‫رنگ دیتا ہے۔ وہ اسے‬
It considers it ‫کمزوری سمجھتے ہیں۔‬
weakness.
Behind the scene ‫ خفیہ طور پر‬Who is helping the ‫خفیہ طور پر کون دشمن‬
 enemy behind the
scene?
In camera ‫ خفیہ رکھنا‬All the investigation
of Kalbushan Yadav
was kept in camera.
Between the devil ‫ دو طرفہ‬Abhi Nandan was
and the deep sea ‫ حملے کی زد‬between the devil and
‫ میں‬the deep sea when he
was caught.
Between two fires ‫ دو طرفہ‬Abhi Nandan was
‫ مشکل میں‬between two fires
when he was caught.
Give and take ‫ کچھ لو کچھ‬Pakistan freed Abhi
‫ دو‬Nandan on the
grounds of* give and
take policy.
Add fuel to fire ‫ جلتی پر تیل‬He is already angry.
‫ چھڑکنا‬Don't add fuel to fire
by calling him double-
faced.
Add insult to injury ‫ زخموں پر‬They called him liar ‫انہوں نے اسے جھوٹا کہا‬
‫ نمک چھڑکنا‬and then added insult
to injury by not ‫سن کر زخموں پر نمک‬
listening to him.
Face the music ‫ نتائج بھگتنا‬You have called him a
liar. Now, face the
music.
‫کی مدد کر رہا ہے؟‬
‫کلبھوشن یادیو کی ساری‬
‫تفتیش خفیہ رکھی گئی‬
‫تھی۔‬
‫ابی نندن دو طرفہ حملے‬
‫کی زد میں تھا جب اسے‬
‫پکڑا گیا۔‬
‫ابی نندن دو طرفہ مشکل‬
‫میں تھا جب وہ پکڑا گیا۔‬
‫پاکستان نے ابی نندن کو‬
‫پ دینے اور لینے کی‬
‫پالیسی کی بنیاد پر ِرہا کیا۔‬
‫وہ پہلے ہی ناراض ہے۔‬
‫اسے منافق کہہ کر آگ‬
‫میں ایندھن نہ ڈالیں۔‬
‫اور پھر اس کی بات نہ‬
‫چھڑکا۔‬
‫آپ نے اسے جھوٹا کہا‬
‫ نتائج بھگتو۔‬، ‫ہے۔ اب‬
Make amends for ‫تالفی کرنا‬ Ali made amends for ‫علی نے معافی مانگ کر‬
calling him a liar by ‫اسے جھوٹا کہنے پر تالفی‬
apologizing to him. ‫کی۔‬
Pay through the ‫ سودا مہنگا‬He had to pay ‫اسے اپنے غلط کام کی‬
nose ‫ خمیازہ‬،‫ پڑنا‬through the nose for ‫وجہ سے خمیازہ بھگتنا‬
‫ بھگتنا‬his misdeed. ‫پڑا۔‬
‫اسے اپنے غلط کام کی‬
‫وجہ سے بڑی قیمت ادا‬
‫کرنی پڑی۔‬
Black out ‫ بے حوش ہو‬When Ali punched ‫جب علی نے اس کے‬
‫ جانا‬him in face, he ‫چہرے پر مکے مارے تو‬
blacked out. ‫وہ بیہوش ہوگیا۔‬
When Hassan beat ‫جب حسن نے اسے بہت‬
him black and blue, ‫ تو وہ بیہوش‬، ‫مارا پیٹا‬
he blacked out. ‫ہوگیا۔‬

Bring someone ‫ حوش میں‬The doctors brought ‫ڈاکٹروں نے اسے اسپتال‬

round ‫ النا‬him round in the ‫میں ہوش میں الیا۔‬
hospital.
Fight with one's ‫ مشکل میں‬The Pakistani troops ‫پاکستانی فوج برے حاالت‬
back to the wall ‫ لڑنا‬fought with their back ‫میں لڑی۔‬
(high- to the wall.
pressure situation)
Give rise to ،‫ کا سبب بننا‬Little violations give ‫چھوٹی چھوٹی خالف‬
‫ جنم دینا‬rise to war. ‫ورزیاں جنگ کو جنم دیتی‬
OR ‫ہیں۔‬
Hard work gives rise ‫سخت محنت ہی کامیابی کا‬
to success. ‫سبب بنتی ہے۔‬

Life/Hardships/Poverty/Dearness
A bed of roses ‫پھولوں یک سیج‬ Life is not a bed of roses.

A bed of thorns/nails ‫کانٹوں یک سیج‬ Life is a bed of thorns.

A cat and dog life ‫لڑ یائ جھگڑا‬ He is living a cat and dog life.
He has been leading a cat and dog life.

Go through fire and ‫رسد گرم جھیلنا‬ I am ready to go through fire and water to achieve my aim.
water

Play with fire ‫خطرناک کھیل‬ We should not play with fire by stealing things.
‫کھیلنا‬ OR
Do not play with fire by making faces of your boss.

Out of the wood ‫خطرے ےس باہر‬ We are not out of the wood yet.

Bear the brunt of ‫ی‬

‫سخت جھیل جانا‬ We should bear the brunt of hardships.

Weather the storm ‫ی‬

‫سخت جھیل جانا‬ We should know how to weather the storm.
Our president knows how to weather the storm.

Bury the head in the ‫بیل کو دیکھ کر‬ Face the problems instead of burying your head in the sand.
sand ‫کبوتر یک طرح‬
‫آنکھی بند کر لینا‬
‫ں‬
#Between the devil and
the deep sea

Bolt from the blue ‫ی‬

‫آسمائ آفت‬ His illness was a bolt from the blue.

Break the news ‫خب سنانا‬

‫ر‬ Ali broke the news of his friend's accident.

Broken health ‫بری صحت‬ He is admitted in the hospital because of his broken health.

Breath one's last ‫آخری سانس لینا‬ Ali's friend breathed his last in the hospital.

Kick the bucket ‫مر جانا‬ Ali's friend kicked the bucket in the hospital.

#Die a dog's death ‫ذلت ےک موت مر‬ The traitor died a dog's death.
‫جانا‬

Die by inches ‫آہستہ ےس مرنا‬ Some patients die by inches in hospital.

Give up the ghost ‫ مر جانا یا کیس ں ی‬She gave up the ghost in the hospital.
‫مشی‬
‫کا خراب ہو جانا‬

Pass away ‫مر جانا‬ She passed away in the hospital

Catch at a straw ‫ی‬

‫ڈوبت کو تنےک کا سہارا‬ A drowning man will catch at a straw.
When he was at the mercy of river, he was caught at a
straw.

Get into hot waters ‫می پڑ جانا‬

‫مصیبت ں‬ He got into hot waters when he was stealing money.*
Fish in troubled waters ‫ی‬
‫پریشائ‬ ‫مصیبت یا‬ He got into hot water but he fished in troubled waters.
‫ےس فائدہ اٹھا لینا‬ Due to corona virus, many people fished in troubled waters
by selling masks.

& Make a virtue of ‫موقع کا فائدہ اٹھانا‬ Due to corona virus, many people are making a virtue of
necessity (Ex) necessity by selling masks.

Make the most of ‫فائدہ اٹھانا‬ Mask sellers are making the most of this opportunity.

Slip through one's ‫ضائع ہو جانا‬ Do not let this opportunity slip through your fingers.
fingers

Take advantage of ‫فائدہ اٹھانا‬ You can take advantage of this opportunity.
OR
Take advantage of this opportunity and let it not slip
through your fingers.

Take time by the ‫موقع کا فائدہ اٹھانا‬ If the opportunity knocks at your door, take the time by the
forelock forelock.

Time and tide ‫موقع‬ Time and tide waits for none.

Hard/bitter pill to
swallow

Under the sun* ‫می‬

‫دنیا ں‬ There are many ups and downs under the sun.

Ups and downs ‫نشیب و فراز‬ There are many ups and downs under the sun.

Poverty and Dearness

A man of straw ‫غریب آدم‬ Even a man in the street must study by ways and means.

Open Pandora's box ‫بہت ذیادہ مسائل کا‬ Dearness has opened a Pandora's box of problems for the
‫سبب بننا‬ poor.
(Write P of Pandora in capital)

Square meal ‫پیٹ بھر روئ‬ Due to dearness, the poor cannot manage a square meal.

Ways and means ‫وسائل‬ We should help the poor by ways and means.

First and foremost ‫ںی‬

‫اولی‬ It is our first and foremost duty to help the poor and needy.

Part and parcel ‫الزم جز‬ It is part and parcel of life to help the poor and needy.

Bread and butter ‫روزی روئ‬ He wants to earn bread and butter.

From hand to mouth ‫مشکل ےس گزارا کرنا‬ The poor live from hand to mouth. They cannot even earn
their bread and butter.

Keep the wolf away ‫فاقوں ےس بچنا‬ The poor work hard daily to keep the wolf away from the
from the door door.

Keep body and soul ‫فاقوں ےس بچنا‬ The poor work hard daily to keep body and soul together.
together

#At the mercy of ‫رحم و کرم پر‬ We should not be at the mercy of anybody.

Down and out ‫محتاج‬ When I was down and out, my friends caught me at a straw.
I was down and out when he came to help me.
He is down and out because he has burnt the candle at
both ends.

Give someone the cold ‫رسد مہری ےس پیش‬ A selfish friend gave him cold shoulder when he needed his
shoulder ‫آنا‬ help.

#Keep one's word ،‫بات پر پورا اترنا‬ He promised to help me but he did not keep his word.
‫وعدہ پورا کرنا‬

#A rope of sand His promise to help me was a rope of sand.

Through thick and thin ‫می‬‫ہر حال ں‬ Help your friends through thick and thin.

Sow one's wild oats ‫می عیش‬ ‫ی‬

‫جوائ ں‬ Don’t sow your wild oats unless you should reap the
‫کرنا‬ harvest of experience.
OR
Don’t sow your wild oats unless you should get into hot
waters.
OR
It is not good to sow your wild oats.

A rainy day ‫مشکل وقت‬ We must save some money for a rainy day.

Burn the candle at both ‫رب دری خ خرچ کرنا‬ Do not burn the candle at both ends, save something for a
ends rainy day.

Out at elbows ‫غریب ہو جانا‬ Once he was a rich man, but now he is out at elbows.
He is out at elbows because he has burnt the candle at both
ends.

Run short ‫کیم ہونا‬ People are running short of food in Nepal.

To cut one's coat ‫ چادر دیکھ کر پاوں‬You must cut your coat according to your cloth.
according to one's cloth ‫پھیالنا‬
Politics
A casting vote ‫فیصلہ کن ووٹ‬ The matter was decided by the casting
vote of president.
OR
He decided the matter by his casting
vote.

A red letter day ‫ی‬

‫خوش کا دن‬ 14th August is a red letter day for us.

A gala day ‫ی‬

‫خوش کا دن‬ Eid is a gala day for all Muslims.
14th August is a gala day for Pakistanis.

All and sundry ‫ ہر ایک‬،‫سبیھ‬ All and sundry came to the meeting.
All and sundry were there in his
program.

Rank and file ‫ہر خاص و عام‬

Alpha and omega ‫اول و آخر‬ I want to know the alpha and omega of
Similar: all and all Politics.

At/in a pinch* ‫ یضورت ی‬،‫ہنگام حاالت می‬

‫پڑن پر‬ ‫ں‬
An axe to grind ‫اپنا الو سیدھا کرنا‬ All politicians have an axe to grind.

Feather one's nest ‫اپنا گھر بھرنا‬ The politicians only feather their nest.

Open secret ‫کھال راز‬ Corruption in politics is an open secret.

& A far cry ‫دور یک بات‬ No corruption in politics is a far cry.

Truth in politics is a far cry.

A royal road ‫آسان راستہ‬ There is no royal road to become a

politician.

#A child’s play ‫آسان کام‬ It is not a child’s play to become a

politician.

All moonshine ‫خیایل پالؤ‬ Imran Khan's plans are all moonshine.

A rope of sand ‫ی‬

‫عقیت سہارا‬ ‫رب‬ His promises proved a rope of sand.

Beast of burden ‫لود جانور‬ A true leader is like a beast of burden

for his nation.
Donkey and horse are beasts of burden.

Call in question ‫شک کا اظہار کرنا‬ His honesty cannot be called in

question.
OR
He wants to call his honesty in
 question.

#Bell the cat ‫می گنت باندھنا‬

‫بیل ےک گےل ں‬ Who will bell the cat by reporting his
dishonesty?

Call a spade a spade ‫ صحیح بات کرنا‬،‫صاف بات کرنا‬ Don't be afraid of calling a spade a
spade.

Blow one's own ‫ی‬

‫اپت منہ میاں مٹھو‬ All politicians blow their own trumpet.
trumpet

Give oneself airs ‫فخر کرنا‬ Politicians give themselves airs for their
position.
OR
Do not give yourself airs.

Break the ground ‫ینت ر ں‬

‫اہی نکالنا‬ New government has broken the
ground for development.

Bring to book ‫طلت کرنا‬ ‫ی‬

‫ جواب ر‬،‫رسا کو پہنچنا‬ Imran Khan wants to bring Nawaz
Sharif to book for his wrongdoings.

Call to account ‫طلت کرنا‬

‫جواب ر‬ NAB called Nawaz Sharif to account for
his money laundering.
OR
The manager called the clerk to account
for his being absent.

Make up one's mind ‫زہن بنا لینا‬ He has made up his mind to win the
elections.
OR
He has made up his mind to pass the
examination.

Leave no stone ‫ہر ممکن کوشش کرنا‬ He will leave no stone unturned to win
unturned the elections.

Move heaven and ‫ہر ممکن کوشش کرنا‬ She moved heaven and earth but failed
earth to win the elections.

Of no avail ‫رب فائدہ‬ She moved heaven and earth to win the
elections but of no avail.

In spite of ‫ےک باوجود‬ In spite of her hard work, she failed.

By all means ‫ ہر طرح ےس‬، ‫یضور‬ The politician wants to win by all
means.

At any rate ‫می‬

‫ہر صورت ں‬ The politician wants to win at any rate.

In any case ‫می‬

‫ہر صورت ں‬ The politician wants to win in any case.
OR
 I will meet you in any case.

In opposition to ‫می‬
‫مخالفت ں‬ Naila acted in opposition to her
friend.*more

In the teeth of ‫مخالفت ےک باوجود‬ Naila married her friend in the teeth of
opposition opposition.

By fits and starts ‫رک رک کر‬ If you want to achieve your goal, you
should not work by fits and starts.

By fair means of foul ‫ی‬

‫طریق ےس‬ ‫جائز و نا جائز‬ Arshad wants to be a minister by fair
means or foul.

By hook or by crook ‫ی‬

‫طریق ےس‬ ‫جائز و نا جائز‬ Arshad wants to be a minister by hook
or by crook.

By and by ‫آہستہ آہستہ‬ By and by Akram became a minister.

By leaps and bounds ‫ی‬

‫چگت‬ ‫دن ی‬
‫دگت رات‬ Under his ministry, Pakistan is making
progress by leaps and bounds.

Day in and day out. ‫دن رات‬ He worked day in and day out to win
the elections.
OR
Pakistan is progressing day in and day
out.

By virtue of‫٭‬ ‫ےک باعث‬ Akram got success by virtue of hard

Similar: work.
Because of Akram carried the day by virtue of hard
work.

#Stick to one's guns ‫ڈب رہنا‬ Zahid stuck to his guns and succeeded.
(won)

Carried the day ‫جیت جانا‬ He carried the day in elections. It was a
red letter day for him.

Come off with flying ‫جیت جانا‬ Akram came off with flying colours in
colours elections.

Beside oneself ‫ی‬

‫خوش یا غصہ‬ ‫ رب حد‬،‫آ ےبےس باہر‬ He was beside himself when Ali called
)extreme agitation or excitement(
him a liar.
He was beside himself with joy when he
won the elections.

In honour of ‫می‬
‫ےک اعزاز ں‬ This party is arranged in honour of the
winner of election.

Cheek by jowl ‫ساتھ ساتھ‬ Pakistan and Turkey should work cheek
 by jowl.

Go hand in hand ‫ساتھ ساتھ‬ Pakistan and Turkey should go hand in

hand for progress.
Happiness and sadness go hand in hand
in life.

Keep pace with ‫یک رفتار ےس چلنا‬ We should keep pace with developing
countries.

Make headway ‫ی‬

‫ترق کرنا‬ Both countries should work hard to
make headway.

Die in harness ‫ی‬

‫ہون مرنا‬ ‫کام ی‬
‫کرن‬ Zia ul Haq died in harness.

Keep one's word ‫وعدے نبھانا‬ I don’t like politicians who do not keep
their word.

Eat one's words ‫وعدے ےس پھر جانا‬ I don’t like politicians who eat their
words.

Go back on one's ‫وعدے ےس پھر جانا‬ I don’t like politicians who go back on
words their words.

Back out ‫وعدے ےس پھر جانا‬ We should not back out of our
promises.
Imran Khan should not back out of his
promises.

#To turn one's coat Many politicians are clever enough to

turn their coat at times.
Many politicians turn their coat at
times.

Pay lip-service ‫ی‬

‫زبائ جمع خرچ کرنا‬ The government pays lip-service to the
importance of education.

Set a good example ‫اچیھ مثال قائم کرنا‬ Our leaders should set a good example.

Take a leaf out of ‫نقش قدم پر چلنا‬

ِ ‫کیس ےک‬ We should take a leaf out of our
someone's book leader's books.

Sit on the fence ‫غب جانبدار رہنا‬

‫ں‬ In international policies Pakistan is
sitting on the fence.

Be under one's thumb ‫زیر اثر ہونا‬ India is under America's thumb.
He is under his wife's thumb.

Under lock and key ‫می رکھنا‬

‫راز ں‬ The politicians should keep the national
)Opposite: Let the cat secrets under lock and key.
out of the bag )
 ‫ی‬
Worship the rising sun ‫چڑھت سورج کو سالم کرنا‬ Our leaders worship the rising sun.

Keep abreast of ‫خب رہنا‬

‫با ر‬ We should read the newspapers to
keep abreast of the times.
We should keep abreast of what is
going on under the sun.

Police/ Crime
A jailbird ‫قیدی‬ His father is a jail bird.

A gaol bird* ‫قیدی‬ His father is a gaolbird.

A goad bird is not afraid of going to jail.

For want of ‫کیس ں ی‬

‫چب یک کیم‬ The thief stole the necklace for the want of money.
‫یک وجہ ےس‬

A narrow escape ‫بال بال بچنا‬ The prisoner had a narrow escape from the gunshot.

A hair breath escape ‫بال بال بچنا‬ He fell into a river, and had a hair breadth escape.*

Fish out of water ‫ب ںی‬

‫چی‬ When he was in jail he felt like a fish out of water.
‫ر‬
A wild goose chase ‫رب کار کوشش‬ It is a wild goose chase to search for the jailbird when he is at
Similar: Beat the air large.
(The thief is beating the air to escape.)

At large ‫آذاد‬ The murderer is at large.

Take to one's heels ‫بھاگ جانا‬ On seeing the police, the thief took to his heels.

Show a clean pair of ‫بھاگ جانا‬ On seeing the police, the thief showed a clean pair of heels.
heels

To turn tail ‫دم دبا کر بھاگ‬ On seeing the police, the thief turned tail.
‫جانا‬

Cut and run ‫بھاگ جانا‬ On seeing the police, the thief cut and run.

In the long run ‫آخر کار‬ In the long run, the thief was arrested.

Be caught napping ‫می‬ ‫خبی ں‬

‫رب ر‬ The thief was caught napping. (Take a nap = sleep)
‫پکڑے جانا‬

Bear away the palm ‫با ثمر ثابت ہونا‬ The police officer bore away the palm for his honesty.
(Bore fruit) The police officer bore away the palm for not letting people to
grease his palms.

Grease one's palms ‫رشوت دینا‬

Under the very nose ‫نیچ‬
‫بلکل ناک ےک ے‬ The thief stole a necklace under the very nose of the police.
‫ بہت قریب‬،‫ےس‬
‫ےس‬
‫ے‬
Red-handed ‫رنگ ہاتھوں‬ A cold blooded murderer was arrested red handed.
OR
The thief was arrested red handed.

Cold-blooded ‫ رب رحم‬،‫سفاکانہ‬ A cold blooded murderer was arrested red handed.

Out of question ‫نا ممکن‬ He was caught red handed. It is out of question to release him.

Under a cloud ‫می ہونا‬

‫شک ں‬ The criminal was under a cloud for murder.

With a grain of salt ‫شک ےس‬ The police listened to his story with a grain of salt.

Get wind of ‫شک ہونا‬ The police got wind of criminal's planning/plot.

See through ‫بھانپ لینا‬ The police saw through his scheme/plot.

Smell a rat ‫بھانپ لینا‬ The police smelled a rat when he was plotting.

Order of the day ‫رواج ہونا‬ Bribery has become the order of the day.

Have clean hands ‫رب گناہ‬ No rich man has clean hands these days.

Turn turtle ‫بلکل الٹا ہو جانا‬ The car of thief turned turtle.

#Fall a prey to ‫شکار ہو جانا‬ Many people fall a prey to crimes.

#Die a dog's death ‫ذلت یک موت‬ The criminal died a dog's death.

Capital punishment ‫رس یان موت‬

‫ی‬ The murderer was given a capital punishment.

Education
ABC ‫ی‬
‫ابتدائ علم‬ I am learning ABC of Physics.

Ins and outs ‫ہر ں ی‬

‫چب‬ I don’t know the ins and outs of this subject.
#Alpha and omega ‫ہر ں ی‬
‫چب‬ I want to know the alpha and omega of this subject.

At home in ‫ماہر‬ I am at home in banking.

I am at home in English.

A blue stocking ‫پڑیھ لکیھ عورت‬ Abida is a blue stocking. She writes novels and dramas.

A man of letters ‫پڑھا لکھا ادم‬ My teacher is a man of letters.

A man of (many) parts ‫قابل آدم‬ My teacher is a man of many parts. He helps the
students for their career.

A man in the street ‫عام آدم‬ Even a man in the street must study by ways and
means.

#A man of straw ‫غریب آدم‬ Even a man in the street must study by ways and
means.

A maiden speech ‫پہیل تقریر‬ Alisha won hearts of the teachers with her maiden
speech.

Cast a spell on ‫کیس پر جادو کر دینا‬ She cast spell on everyone with his maiden speech.

At/in a pinch ‫ یضورت‬،‫می‬

‫ہنگام حاالت ں‬
‫ی‬
‫پڑن پر‬

On the whole ‫مجمویع طور پر‬ On the whole, the speech was good though she made
Overall some mistakes.
Altogether Overall, the speech was quite good.
For the most part The speech was quite good altogether.
By and large The speech was quite good for the most part.
By and large, the speech was quite good.

At a stone’s throw ‫قریب ہ‬ My college is at a stone's throw.

(place)

After one's own heart ‫عی مطابق‬ ‫ی‬

‫اپت پسند ےک ں ی‬ I joined this college after my own heart.
ٰ
Aladdin's lamp ‫الہ دین کا چراغ‬ I cannot solve all the problems because I don't have
Aladdin's lamp.

Find fault with ‫غلطیاں نکالنا‬ Do not find fault with others. Nobody is perfect.

Be all Greek to ‫کچھ نہ سمجھنا‬ This lesson is all Greek to me.

someone

At all ‫ہرگز‬ You are not listening to my story at all.

OR
He didn’t help me at all.

Be all ears ‫توجہ ےس سننا‬ The students were all ears when teacher taught them
the lesson.
 OR
Keep telling the story, I am all ears.

Turn the deaf ear to ‫توجہ نہ دینا‬ He turned a deaf ear to my story.

Bear fruit ‫با ثمر ثابت ہونا‬ He was a busy bee student. All his efforts bore fruit.

Stand someone in ‫ی‬

‫کیلت مفید ثابت ہونا‬ Keep working hard, it will stand you in good stead.
good stead

Bear away the palm ‫با ثمر ثابت ہونا‬ Keep working hard, it will bear away the palm.
(Bore fruit)

Worth-while ‫فائدہ مند‬ Studying English is worth-while.

Hit the mark ‫کامیاب ہونا‬ He hit the mark in the examinations.

End in smoke ‫ناکام ہونا‬ All his efforts end in smoke.

Go to pieces ‫ٹکڑے ٹکڑے ہو جانا‬ When he didn’t study, all his ambitions went to pieces.

Go to the dogs ‫تباہ ہونا‬ A lazy man goes to the dogs.

OR
Who does not work hard, goes to the dogs.
If you don’t listen to my advice, you will go to the
dogs.

Go to the wall ‫تباہ ہونا‬ If you don’t listen to my advice, you will go to the wall.

Go to rack and ruin ‫تباہ ہونا‬ If you don’t listen to my advice, you will go to rack and
ruin.

Eye opener ‫انکشاف‬ His failure was an eye opener for him.
Speech of Maulana Tariq Jamil was an eye opener for
me.

Lose heart ‫مایوس ہونا‬ Do not lose heart. You must work hard to pass the
examination.

Burn the mid-night oil ‫سخت مہنت کرنا‬ Burn the mid-night oil if you want to pass through.

Instead of ‫یک بجا ی‬

‫ب‬ Work hard instead of relying on fate.

#Beat the air ‫بیکار کوشش کرنا‬ If you think you can pass the examination without
hard work, you are beating the air.

Cast pearls before a ‫بھنس ےک آ ےگ ں ی‬

‫ بیکار‬،‫بی بجانا‬ It is useless to cast pearls before a swine.
swine ‫کوشش کرنا‬ Do not cast pearls before a swine, he will not work
hard.

Flog a dead horse ‫بیکار کوشش کرنا‬ It is useless to flog a dead horse.
Do not flog a dead horse, he will not work hard.
OR
 It is only to flog a dead horse to ask her again and
again to marry you.

Cry over spilt milk ‫ کیس‬،‫بعد ار مرگ واویال‬ The time has gone. There is no need to cry over spilt
‫نقصان ےک بعد پچھتانا‬ milk.
There is no use crying over spilt milk.
It is useless to cry over spilt milk.

Cry for the moon ‫ناممکن ں ی‬

‫چب ےک حصول یک‬ It is useless to cry for the moon.
‫خواہش کرنا‬

Hope against hope ‫بہت کم امید‬ He is hoping against hope that he may pass the
examination.

Build castle in the air ‫تعمب کرنا‬ ‫ی‬

‫ہوائ قلےع ں‬ Work hard, do not build castle in the air.

Fool’s paradise ‫احمقوں یک حیثیت‬ If you think you can pass the examination without
hard work, you are living in fool’s paradise.

All moonshine ‫خیالی پالو‬ It is all moonshine to wish for passing the examination
without hard work.

A wild goose chase ‫رب کار کوشش‬ It is a wild goose chase to wish for passing the
examination without hard work.

Beneath one's dignity ‫شان ےک خالف‬ To disrespect teachers is beneath my dignity.

#Beside oneself ‫آ ےب ےس باہر‬ The teacher was beside himself.

Break the ice ‫ی‬

‫خاموش توڑنا‬ All the students were silent, but Nasima broke the ice.
There was no hue and cry in the class when Ali broke
the ice.

Hold one's peace or ‫خاموش رہنا‬ Hold your tongue please.

tongue

Bring home ‫ذہن ں ی‬

‫نشی کرنا‬ The teacher brought home the points to students.

Call to mind ‫ذہن ں ی‬

‫نشی کرنا‬ I cannot call his name to mind.
OR
Let us call to mind the olden and golden days.

Commit to memory ‫ذہن ں ی‬

‫نشی کرنا‬ Do not commit to memory every word of the book,
just understand the main idea.

Draw on one's ‫ی‬

‫حافظ یک مدد لینا‬ Draw on your memory and tell me the answer.
memory

Learn by heart ‫ذہن ں ی‬

‫نشی کرنا‬ He learnt this story by heart.

Bring to light ‫واضع کرنا‬،‫ظاہر کرنا‬ All the problems in education system have been
 brought to light.
He wants to bring all the problems to light.

Throw light on ‫ی‬

‫روشت‬ ،‫واضع کرنا‬،‫ظاہر کرنا‬ Throw light on your duties in office.
‫ڈالنا‬ OR
He threw light on the problems.

Dark horse ‫چھپا رستم‬ Aslam is a dark horse as he has got first position in the
class.

Off hand ‫بغب تیاری ےک‬

‫ں‬ Aslam can argue on any topic off hand. He is a dark
horse.

Feather in one's cap ‫کارنامہ رس انجام دینا‬ He got first position in the class. It was a feather in his
cap.

Come down upon ‫ڈانٹنا‬ The teacher came down upon the students because
they fell a prey to smoking.

Take to task ‫ ڈانٹنا‬،‫آڑے ہاتھوں لینا‬ The father took his son to task for smoking.

Eat humble pie ‫ب ی‬

‫عزئ سہنا‬ The students had to eat humble pie because teacher
‫ر‬
came down upon them.
OR
Do not be arrogant lest you should eat humble pie.

Pocket an insult ‫ب ی‬
‫عزئ برداشت کرنا‬ You were laughing up your sleeve in the class, now
‫ر‬
pocket the insult.
OR
You poked your nose into his affairs, now pocket and
insult.

#Lick the dust ‫ذلت اٹھانا‬ The enemy had to lick the dust in war.

Under consideration ‫زیر غور‬

ِ Your application for leave is under consideration.

French leave ‫بغب اجازت چھت‬

‫ں‬ The student took a French leave from the class. He had
to face the music.

Lame excuses ‫جھون بہا ی‬

‫ب‬ He makes lame excuses for being late.
ALSO
He (tells cock and bull story) for being late.

#Keep an eye on ‫نظر رکھنا‬ Keep an eye on students because they fall prey to bad
habits.

Fall prey to ‫شکار ہو جانا‬ Many students fall prey to bad habits.
Take to ‫عادی ہو جانا‬ Many students take to drinking/smoking.
Many students take to bad habits.
OR She has taken to talking much.

Get rid of ‫چھٹکارا حاصل کرنا‬ Students should get rid of bad habits.

Get the better of ‫چھٹکارا حاصل کرنا‬ By and by he got the better of bad habits.

Do away with ‫چھٹکارا حاصل کرنا‬ Students should do away with bad habits.

Nip in the bud‫٭‬ ‫چھٹکارا حاصل کرنا‬ Evil habits must be nipped in the bud.

To tide over ‫چھٹکارا حاصل کرنا‬ I know how to tide over bad habits.

Keep the ball rolling ‫کام ی‬

‫کرن رہنا‬ Even if there is lockdown, the students should keep
the ball rolling with study.

Laughing stock ‫تمسخر کا نشانا‬ He is the laughing stock of our class.

Lend an ear ‫توجہ ےس سننا‬

Let in ‫ی‬
‫ہون دینا‬ ‫اندر داخل‬ Let me come in.
Windows let the air in.

Play truant ‫سکول یا کالج ےس بھاگنا‬ Some students often play truant.

Read between the ‫مفہوم سمجھ لینا‬ To get the truth, you have to read this letter between
lines‫٭‬ the lines.
OR
Mr. Weldon could read Churchill's paper between the
lines.

Take a fancy to ‫پسند کرنا‬ You take a fancy to your school.

To turn one's head ‫دماغ خراب کرنا‬ Their heads are turned by the attractiveness of athletic
sports.
(Why boys fail in college)

With open arms ‫کھےل دل ےس‬ He welcomed me in class with open arms.

On behalf of ‫یک جانب ےس‬ The teacher welcomed us on behalf of the college
staff.
She spoke on behalf of the other students.

Hard and fast ‫واضع یا سخت‬ There is no hard and fast timetable of college.

Work wonders ‫حبت ں ی‬

‫انگب اثر ہونا‬ ‫ں‬ The tea work wonders for headache.
A night's sleep can work wonders for mind and body.

Pros and cons ‫فائدے اور نقصانات‬ I wrote an essay on pros and cons of mobile phones.

Go through ‫مطالعہ کرنا‬ Let me go through this essay first then I will write.

Brown study ‫گہری سوچ‬ She was in her brown study.

On the contrary ‫اس ےک بر عکس‬ The corona virus has not disappeared. On the
contrary, it seems it is going to be worse again.
OR
I think you don’t like music. On the contrary, I like it.

Work/Business/dealings
Spick and span ‫صاف ستھرا‬ My office is spick and span.

All and all ‫کرتا دھرتا‬،‫خود مختار‬ He is all and all in this office.

A busy bee ‫مرصوف آدم‬ Ali is a busy bee because he works from dawn to dusk.
Ali is a busy bee because he works day in and day out.*

Fall to work ‫می لگ جانا‬

‫کام ں‬ Let us fall to work and finish it.

Set to work ‫می لگ جانا‬

‫کام ں‬ Let us set to work quickly.

Keep the ball ‫کام ی‬

‫کرن رہنا‬ Set to work and keep the ball rolling.
rolling

&On business ،‫می‬

‫کام ےک سلسلہ ں‬ I am going to Lahore on business.
‫می‬
‫کام ں‬
Lend a hand ‫مدد کرنا‬ Lend me a hand in solving this problem. (trns.epi)

Finger in the pie ‫می دخل دینا‬

‫ہر کام ں‬ He will burn his fingers because he has finger in the pie.
Don’t put your finger in the pie.

Zest and zeal ‫جوش و خروش‬ He works with zest and zeal.

Above board ‫ واضع‬،‫ شک ےس باال تر‬His dealings are above board.

His actions are above board.

Fair and square ‫ انصاف پسند‬،‫ ایماندار‬You ought to be fair and square in your dealings.
OR
You should be fair and square in your dealings.

A child play ‫آسان کام‬ Working as a CEO is not a child play. (Chief executive
officer)
Winning the game is not a child play.

Uphill task ‫مشکل کام‬ To become a professor is an uphill task.

Winning the game is an uphill task.

Hard nut to crack ‫مشکل کام‬ To become a professor is a hard nut to crack.
 This problem is a hard nut to crack.

#A royal road ‫آسان راستہ‬ There is no royal road to become a CEO of a company.
OR
There is no royal road to become a principal.

Rolling stone ‫یک جگہ نہ ی‬

‫ٹکت واال‬ Stick to your business, a rolling stone gathers no moss.

A brain wave ‫اچانک خیال‬ A brain wave saved him from loss.

A rotten egg ‫رب کار آدم‬ He is a rotten egg. He doesn’t work properly.

#Beat the air ‫بیکار کوشش کرنا‬ To work without aim is to beat the air.
OR

At a loose end ‫بیکار‬ This old man is at a loose end.*

To turn the tables ‫بازی پلٹ دینا‬ The businessman was on the verge of bankruptcy but he
on turned the tables when he won 1 million dollars.

Burn one's boats ‫کشتیاں جال دینا‬ When he resigned from his job, he burnt his boats.

Burn one's fingers ‫اپنا نقصان کرنا‬ Work hard and don't burn your fingers.

Cat's paw ‫آلہ کار‬ Don’t be a cat's paw of your boss.

In black and white ‫لکھا ہوا‬ Please tell me your demands in black and white.

Out of order ‫خراب ہونا‬ This lift is out of order.

Similar:
Give up the ghost

Red tape ‫غب یضوری ں‬

‫تاخب‬ ‫ں‬ Red tape is a curse of the modern times.
Similar: A Fabian
policy

Sour grapes ‫چب حاصل نہ کر‬‫ جو ں ی‬This post of principal was sour grapes for him.
‫ی‬
‫سکی اس یک برائ کرنا‬‫ں‬
Goes without ‫واضع‬ It goes without saying that greed is a curse.
saying

Take a leap in the ‫می‬‫اندےھ کنویں ں‬ Think before investing money in business and don’t take a
dark ‫چھالنگ لگانا‬ leap in the dark.

Out and out ‫مکمل‬ He is an honest man out and out.

Through and ‫مکمل‬ He is an honest man through and through.

through

To the backbone ‫مکمل‬ He is an honest man to the backbone.

Every inch ‫مکمل‬ He is an honest man every inch.

Over head and ears ‫(ڈون‬
‫ر‬ ‫مکمل طور پر‬ He is over head and ears in debt.
)‫ہونا‬

Root and branch ‫مکمل تبدییل یا مکمل‬ He changed himself root and branch.
‫تباہ‬

Make good ‫ ازالہ کرنا‬،‫پورا کرنا‬ He was over head and ears in debt but he made good on
all debts.

Bad debt ‫قابل وصول قرضہ‬

ِ ‫نا‬
Put the cart before ‫ کام کو غلط طریقہ ےس‬By working all night and sleeping all day long, you are
the horse ‫کرنا‬ putting the cart before the horse.

Lion's share ‫بڑا حصہ‬ He saved a lion's share of his income.

OR
She got a lion's share from her husband's property.

Family
Apple of one’s eyes ‫ عزیز‬،‫پیارا‬ He is an apple of his father’s eyes because he is a man
of letters.

Bad and baggage ‫سازوسامان‬ We left Islamabad with bag and baggage.

A bird’s eye view ‫ رسرسی جائزہ‬Our family took a bird eye view of the city from the
airplane.

A henpecked husband ‫زن مرید‬ Do not be a henpecked husband.

Keep up appearance ‫ظاہر داری‬ They were unhappy but kept up appearances for the
‫قائم رکھنا‬ sake of their children.
OR
He has to buy expensive clothes to keep up appearance
because he was wealthy before.

Better half ‫ بیوی‬/‫میاں‬

Kicksy-wicksy/ ‫بیوی‬ How is your kicksy-wicksy?

kickie-wickie How is your kickie-wickie?
#After one's own heart ‫پسند ےس‬ I married her after my own heart.

A curtain lecture ‫بیوی ےک ی‬

‫تعت‬ He received a curtain lecture from his wife.

Flesh and blood ‫رشتہ دار‬ I must help them because they are my own flesh and
blood.

Kith and kin ‫رشتہ دار اور‬ I must help them because they are my own kith and
‫دوست‬ kin.

Blue blood ‫ی‬

‫دشمت‬،‫رنجش‬ He is proud of his blue blood.

be born with a silver spoon in ‫امب گھر یان‬

‫ں‬ He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
one's mouth ‫می پیدا ہونا‬‫ں‬
Take care of ‫دیکھ بھال‬ We should take care of our elders.
‫کرنا‬

#Make faces ‫منہ چڑانا‬

Heart and soul ‫دل و جان ےس‬ He loves his family heart and soul.

Friendship
A fast friend ‫ گہرا دوست‬He became my fast friend at once.

A bosom friend ‫ گہرا دوست‬He became my bosom friend at once.

Birds of a feather ‫ہم مزاج‬ Birds of a feather flock together.

Against grain

Hand in glove ‫ساتھ ساتھ‬ They are hand in glove with each other because they are birds
of a feather.
OR
They are hand in glove with each other.

Broken reed ‫غب ی‬

‫یقیت‬ ‫ں‬ All his friends proved broken reed when he was left in lurch.
‫سہارا‬

To turn one's coat He is a broken reed as he turns his coat at times.

Leave in lurch ‫ اکیےل چھوڑ‬All his friends left him in lurch.

‫دینا‬

& Weal and woe ‫اچھے برے‬ I shall stand by you in weal and woe.
‫می‬
‫حاالت ں‬
A blessing in disguise ‫ چھت ی‬Hard times are a blessing in disguise as it always reveals the
‫ہوئ‬ ‫ی‬
 ‫نعمت‬ true colours of the friends.

On one's own ‫خود اکیےل‬ She lives on her own.

I did this work on my own.

Call names ،‫نام بگاڑنا‬ He called me names but I did not answer.
‫گالیاں دینا‬

Make faces‫٭‬ ‫چبانا‬

‫منہ ں‬ Don’t make faces at your elders.

#At arm's length ‫دور‬ Keep your enemies at arm's length.

#Cheek by jowl ‫ساتھ ساتھ‬ my friend and I walked cheek by jowl.

Fall short ‫کیم ہونا‬ Drinks fell short in the party.

Fed up with ‫اکتا جانا‬ I am fed up with friends who leave in lurch.

Be sick of ‫اکتا جانا‬ I am sick of friends who leave others in lurch.

A fair weather friend ‫ خود غرض‬He is a fair weather friend.

‫دوست‬ OR
I don’t like fair weather friends.

Turn one's back upon ‫چھوڑ دینا‬ He turned his back upon old friends.

Harp on the same ‫ ایک ہ راگ‬I don’t like her because she always harps on the same string.
string ‫االپنا‬

Have a bee in one's ‫ ایک ہ راگ‬She always talks about her marriage, this shows that she has a
bonnet ‫االپنا‬ bee in her bonnet.

Poison one's ears ‫کیس ےک‬ Don’t poison anyone's ears against your friends.
‫کان بھرنا‬

Stand on ceremony ‫تکلف کرنا‬ As we are friends, we should not stand on ceremony.
Please, don’t stand on ceremony.
OR
Being friends, we should not stand on ceremony.

Traits
A close fisted man ‫کنجوس‬ Do not be a close fisted man.
OR
He never gives party as he is a close fisted man.
OR
Aslam is a close fisted man because he saves money for a
rainy day.
A rotten egg ‫رب کار شخص‬ He is a rotten egg because he always talks rubbish.*

A bad egg ‫شخص یا سکیم‬ Yellow taxi scheme is a bad egg.

Similar: not worth ‫جس ےس ی‬
‫کوئ‬ My servant is a bad egg for me.
salt ‫فائدہ نہ ہو‬

A live wire ‫بہت با ہمت‬ Our prime minister is a live wire.

‫شخص‬

#busy bee ‫مرصوف آدم‬

Not worth his salt ‫نکما‬ I am going to fire my servant because he is not worth his salt.

A white elephant ‫جس ےس فائدہ‬ I am going to fire my servant because he is a white elephant
‫کم اور خرچ‬ for me.
‫زیادہ ہو‬

Black sheep ‫بیکار‬،‫بھب‬

‫کایل ں‬ Arslan is a black sheep of the family. His parents come down
‫شخص‬ upon him.

#Come down upon ‫ڈانتنا‬ His parents come down upon him.

Crocodile tears ‫مگرمچھ ےک‬ She shed crocodile tears when her mother came down upon
‫آنسو بہانا‬ her.
OR
He has to eat humble pie when his mother came down upon
him.

A wet blanket ‫گفتگو کو رب‬ A selfish man is a wet blanket.

‫لطف بنا ی‬
‫ب واال‬

#Laughing stock‫٭‬ ‫تمسخر‬

Dry and dust ‫بد مزہ‬

Fly in the ointment ‫می بھنگ‬ ‫رنگ ں‬

‫ی‬
‫ڈالت وایل‬
‫معمویل یےس‬

Come of age ‫بالغ ہونا‬ He has not yet come of age.

Years of discretion ‫بالغ ہونا‬ She has not yet reached years of discretion.

#Chicken-hearted ‫بزدل‬ Aslam is a chicken-hearted man out and out.

#Dark horse ‫چھپا رستم‬

Jack of all trades ‫ہر فن موال‬ Jack of all trades is master of none.

Double faced ‫دھوےک باز‬ I don’t like double faced persons.

Snake in the grass ‫دھےک باز شخص‬ Bashir is a snake in the grass.

Oily tongue ‫چاپلوش یک‬ We must avoid people with oily tongue.
‫زبان‬

#Rolling stone A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Talks
#A wet blanket A selfish man is a wet blanket.

A white lie ‫رب ظرر‬ Your white lie is excusable.

‫جھوٹ‬

Beat about the bush ‫ِادھر ادھر‬

‫باتی‬
‫یک ں‬
‫کرنا‬

Carry one's point ‫بات منوانا‬ He knows how to carry his point.

Hold water ‫صحیح‬ Your theory does not hold water.

‫ہونا‬ OR
His arguments hold water.

Carried weight ‫ بات کا وزن‬His argument carried weight in the debate.

‫رکھنا‬

Fall in with ‫ متفق ہونا‬Everyone fell in with his views.

OR
Everyone fell in with his argument in the debate.

See eye to eye with ‫ متفق ہونا‬They do not see eye to eye with your argument.
‫ے‬
Cut a sorry figure‫٭‬ ‫یرسمندیک‬ Waleed cut a sorry figure in the debate.
‫ ناکام‬،‫اٹھانا‬
‫ہونا‬

#Eat one's words I don’t like politicians because they eat their words.

Fall flat ‫اثر نہ کرنا‬ My advice fall flat on him.*

By word of mouth ‫ی‬

‫زبائ‬ Women spread the news by word of mouth.

Split hairs ‫بال یک‬ Many women are fond of splitting the hairs.
‫کھال اتارنا‬ OR
 Many women like to split the hairs.

Spread like wild fire ‫آگ ےک‬ Women spread the news like wild fire.
‫ طرح پھیلنا‬The news of corona virus spread like wild fire.

Storm in a teacup ‫مبالغہ‬ Both ladies raised a storm in a teacup.

‫آر یائ کرنا‬

Keep a straight face ‫ہنیس‬

‫ضبط کرنا‬

Laugh up one's sleeve ‫کیس ےس‬

‫چھپا کر‬
‫ہنسنا‬

Under one's breath ‫گوش‬ ‫رس ی‬ He called names of his friend under his breath.
‫ےک انداز‬
‫می‬‫ں‬
Poke one's nose ‫رب جا‬ Don’t poke your nose into my affairs.
‫دخل‬
‫اندازی‬
‫کرنا‬

Small talk ‫گپ شپ‬ They pass their time in small talk.

Talk shop ‫ی‬

‫اپت کاروبار‬ If you are free, let us talk shop.
‫ےک بارے‬
‫باتی‬
‫می ں‬ ‫ں‬
‫کرنا‬

Tall talk ‫ی‬

‫شیخ وایل‬ Do not indulge in tall talk.
‫گفتگو‬ She likes tall talk of her fame.

Wash dirty linen in public ‫گھر یک‬ We should not wash dirty linen in public.
‫باتی باہر‬
‫ں‬
‫کرنا‬

A fishy story ‫مشکوک‬ He told a fishy story. Don’t believe him.

‫ی‬
‫کہائ‬ He told a fishy story to get a leave from college.

Cock and bull story ‫من گھڑت‬ I don’t believe in your cock and bull story.
‫ی‬
‫کہائ‬

Make a mountain of a ‫مبالغہ‬ He always makes a mountain of a molehill in the office.

molehill ‫آر یائ کرنا‬ He raised storm in a teacup for a trifle/small matter.
(Storm in a teacup)
Feeling
At home Feel at home.*

Animal Spirit ‫ی‬

‫جسمائ‬
‫جوش و‬
‫خروش‬

In high spirits ‫جوش و‬ Our hockey players were in high spirits.

‫خروش‬

Fall in love ‫محبت‬ He has fallen in love with her.

‫می پڑنا‬
‫ں‬
Give vent to ‫اظہار کرنا‬ He fell in love with her, when she gave went to her feelings.

Know no bounds ‫حد ےس‬ My happiness knew no bounds when I passed the examination.
‫ذیادہ ہونا‬

As cool as ‫پر سکون‬ They don’t fight because they are as cool as cucumber.
cucumber

Sad/ Confusion
At a loss‫٭‬ ‫ب ںی‬
،‫چی‬ ‫ر‬
‫پریشان‬

Blow hot and cold ‫تذبذب‬

‫می پڑنا‬
‫ں‬
All at sea ‫بلکل‬ I am all at sea to do this work.
‫پریشان‬

Be cast down ‫اداس ہونا‬ Do not cast down, chin up!

Why are you feeling cast down?

Be at one's wit's end ‫پریشان‬ She was at her wit's end when she saw the wolf coming.
‫ہونا‬

#Lose heart

Take to heart ‫دل پر لینا‬ Don’t take the failure to heart.

Break one's heart ‫ کیس کا دل‬Don't break anyone's heart.

‫توڑنا‬ Don’t break his heart by calling him a liar.

#Fish out of water ‫ب ںی‬

‫چی‬ When I was in Dubai, I felt like a fish out of water.
‫ر‬
Ill at ease ‫ب ںی‬
،‫چی‬ ‫ر‬
‫پریشان‬

In a fix (Uljhan main) ‫ب ںی‬

،‫چی‬ ‫ر‬
‫پریشان‬

On the horns of dilemma ‫سخت‬

‫می‬
‫الجھن ں‬
At sixes and sevens ‫ی‬
‫منتش‬ Today the nation is at sixes and sevens.
‫می‬
‫ں‬ ‫حاالت‬

Fair Play/Games/Tricks
At drawn match ‫برابر کا‬ The team played a drawn match.
‫کھیل‬

At any rate ‫ہر حال‬ He wants to win at any rate.

‫می‬
‫ں‬ We will defend our country at any rate.*

Fair play ‫صاف‬ Let us adopt fair play.*

‫ستھرا‬
‫کھیل‬

#Fair and square ،‫ایماندار‬

 ‫انصاف‬
‫پسند‬

Give the devil his due ‫دشمن ےس‬

‫بیھ‬
‫انصاف‬
‫کرنا‬

Play a double game ‫دوہری‬

(double-faced) ‫چال چلنا‬

Wolf in sheep's clothing ‫خفیہ‬ Don’t trust him, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
‫دشمن‬

Throw dust in one's eyes ‫دھوکا دینا‬ Don’t throw dust in your friends' eyes.
OR
Many students throw dust in their parents' eyes.

Play someone false ‫ کیس کو‬Never play false to your friends.

،‫دھوکا دینا‬
‫غداری کرنا‬

Play the game ‫دیانتداری‬

‫ےس کام لینا‬

#A dog In the manger ‫جو نہ‬

‫کھیےل نہ‬
‫ی‬
‫کھیلت دے‬

Hit below the belt ‫ناجائز وار‬

‫کرنا‬

Let the cat out of the bag ‫راز فشاں‬ Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
‫راز بتا‬،‫کرنا‬ OR
‫دینا‬ It's between you and me. Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
Time/ circumstances
Again and again ‫بار بار‬
Time and again
“Cats and dogs” may come from the
Greek expression cata doxa, which
means “contrary to experience or
belief.” If it is raining cats and dogs,
it is raining unusually or unbelievably
hard.

For good ‫ہمشہ‬

Once for all ‫ی‬
‫کیلت‬

Year in year out ‫ہر سال‬ She comes to Pakistan year in year out.

#At any rate

#At/in a pinch ‫ہنگام‬

‫حاالت‬
،‫می‬‫ں‬
‫یضورت‬
‫ی‬
‫پڑن پر‬

At the eleventh hour ‫آخری‬ Nobody will help you at the eleventh hour.
‫وقت پر‬ He reached the station at the eleventh hour.

In the nick of time ‫ںی‬

‫عی وقت‬
‫پر‬

At last ‫آخر کار‬ At last we got freedom.

He won the elections at last. (Politics)

#At the point of

at once ‫فورا‬ Please see me in my office at once.

Cut and dried ‫پہےل ےس ےط‬

‫شدہ‬
Hard and ‫پہےل ےس ےط‬
‫شدہ‬

Hit the sack ‫سو جانا‬ We hit the sack at 10 PM.

On the eve of ‫موقع پر‬ He decorated his house on the eve of his marriage.

Few and far between ‫کبیھ‬

Now and then ‫کبھار‬
Off and on
Once in a blue moon

Place
At a stone’s throw ‫قریب‬ My college is at a stone's throw.

#At arm’s length ‫دور‬ Keep your enemies at arm's length.

Far and near ‫دور و‬

‫نزدیک ےس‬

Here and there ‫یہاں وہاں‬

& Nook and corner ‫ہر جگہ‬

Up and down ‫ادھر ادھر‬

Others
In view of ‫پیش نظر‬
ِ ‫ےک‬
Take into account ‫ی‬
‫ہون‬ ‫خاطر می ال ی‬
‫ب‬ ‫ں‬
In addition to ‫ےک عالوہ‬

All the same ‫ےک باوجود‬

Just the same
At the same time

Because of ‫یک وجہ ےس‬

For the sake of

In consequence of ‫می‬
‫ےک نتیجہ ں‬
Before long* ‫جلد ہ‬

On account of ‫یک وجہ ےس‬

Owing to

According to ‫ےک مطابق‬

In accordance with
In keeping with
Be in keeping with
With reference to
With regard to