1. A Bird of Passage
* English Meaning: Someone who doesn't stay in one place for very long; transient or temporary.
* Hindi Meaning: अस्थायी व्यक्ति, घुमक्कड़ (asthায়ী vyakti, ghumakkad)
* Hinglish Meaning: Aisa banda jo ek jagah pe zyada time nahi tikta; temporary ya wandering type ka.
* Usage: She's a real bird of passage; she's lived in five different countries in the last ten years.
2. Stalking Horse
* English Meaning: A bidder or candidate who makes an initial offer to test the waters or draw out other serious contenders, often not intending to win themselves.
* Hindi Meaning: एक ऐसा बोली लगाने वाला या उम्मीदवार जो शुरुआती प्रस्ताव रखता है ताकि दूसरों को आकर्षित किया जा सके, अक्सर खुद जीतने का इरादा नहीं रखता। (Ek aisa boli lagaane vaala ya ummeedvaar jo shuruaati prastaav rakhta hai taaki doosron ko aakarshit kiya ja sake, aksar khud jeetne ka iraada nahi rakhta.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek aisa bidder ya candidate jo pehla offer deta hai taaki aur serious logon ko pata chale aur woh bhi bid karein, usually uska khud jeetne ka intention nahi hota.
* Usage: The company put forward a stalking horse bidder to set a baseline for the auction.
3. A Far Cry
* English Meaning: Very different from something else, often to a significant degree.
* Hindi Meaning: बहुत अलग, काफी भिन्न (bahut alag, kaafi bhinn)
* Hinglish Meaning: Bahut hi different, zameen-aasman ka farak.
* Usage: The budget version of the phone is a far cry from the high-end model.
4. A Breath of Fresh Air
* English Meaning: Something or someone that brings a sense of newness, relief, or revitalization to a stale or negative situation.
* Hindi Meaning: ताज़ी हवा का झोंका, नई ताजगी (taazi hava ka jhonka, nai taazgi)
* Hinglish Meaning: Taazi hawa ka jhonka, matlab kuch naya aur refreshing.
* Usage: Her positive attitude was a breath of fresh air in the tense office environment.
5. A Dime a Dozen
* English Meaning: Very common and inexpensive; of little value because there are so many.
* Hindi Meaning: बहुत आम और सस्ता, आसानी से उपलब्ध (bahut aam aur sasta, asaani se uplabdh)
* Hinglish Meaning: Bohut hi common aur sasta; easily mil jaata hai.
* Usage: Basic mobile phone cases are a dime a dozen in this market.
6. A Bad Hair Day
* English Meaning: A day when everything seems to go wrong, often starting with one's hair looking messy and unmanageable.
* Hindi Meaning: एक बुरा दिन, जब सब कुछ गलत होता हुआ लगे, अक्सर बालों के खराब दिखने से शुरू होता है। (Ek bura din, jab sab kuch galat hota hua lage, aksar baalon ke kharaab dikhne se shuru hota hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek kharab din, jab sab gadbad ho raha ho, usually baalon ke set na hone se shuru hota hai aur pura din kharab jaata hai.
* Usage: I woke up late, spilled coffee on my shirt, and missed the bus. It's definitely a bad hair day.
7. A Change of Heart
* English Meaning: A shift in one's feelings, opinions, or intentions, often resulting in a more compassionate or forgiving attitude.
* Hindi Meaning: हृदय परिवर्तन, राय या इरादे में बदलाव, अक्सर अधिक दयालु या क्षमाशील रवैये में परिणामित होना। (Hriday parivartan, raay ya iraade mein badlaav, aksar adhik dayaalu ya kshamaasheel ravaiye mein parinaamit hona.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Dil badal jaana, feelings ya opinion mein change aana, usually zyada dayalu ya maaf karne wala attitude ho jaana.
* Usage: Initially, he was against the proposal, but after hearing their reasons, he had a change of heart and supported it.
8. A Damsel in Distress
* English Meaning: A young woman in a dangerous or difficult situation who needs to be rescued.
* Hindi Meaning: संकट में फँसी हुई एक युवती जिसे बचाने की आवश्यकता है। (Sankat mein phansi hui ek yuvati jise bachaane ki aavashyakta hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek young ladki jo kisi trouble ya danger mein phansi hui hai aur jise bachane ki zaroorat hai.
* Usage: The movie features the classic trope of the brave knight rescuing a damsel in distress from a dragon.
9. A Dog's Breakfast
* English Meaning: A mess; something that is very badly arranged or done.
* Hindi Meaning: गड़बड़, बहुत बुरी तरह से व्यवस्थित या किया गया कुछ। (Gadbad, bahut buree tarah se vyavasthit ya kiya gaya kuchh.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ekdum mess; koi cheez jo bahut badly arranged ya done ho. Matlab sab kuch gadbad aur theek se nahi hua.
* Usage: The report was a complete dog's breakfast; it was full of errors and poorly organized.
10. Add Fuel to the Flame
* English Meaning: To make a bad situation worse; to intensify an already existing conflict, argument, or negative feeling.
* Hindi Meaning: आग में घी डालना, बुरी स्थिति को और खराब करना। (Aag mein ghee daalna, buree sthiti ko aur kharaab karna.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Aag mein ghee daalna; already jo problem hai usko aur badha dena.
* Usage: Their constant arguing was bad enough, but then John's sarcastic comment just added fuel to the flame.
11. A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
* English Meaning: Someone who appears friendly or harmless on the outside but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
* Hindi Meaning: भेड़ के वेश में भेड़िया, ऐसा व्यक्ति जो बाहर से मित्रवत या हानिरहित दिखता है लेकिन वास्तव में खतरनाक या धोखेबाज होता है। (Bhed ke vesh mein bhediya, aisa vyakti jo baahar se mitravat ya haanirahhit dikhta hai lekin vaastav mein khatarnaak ya dhokhebaaz hota hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Bhed ki khaal mein bhediya; aisa banda jo bahar se shareef ya harmless dikhta hai lekin andar se dangerous ya dhokhebaaz hota hai.
* Usage: Be careful of him; I think he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He acts nice, but I don't trust his motives.
12. A Drop in the Bucket
* English Meaning: A very small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed or expected.
* Hindi Meaning: ऊंट के मुंह में जीरा, जरूरत या अपेक्षा के मुकाबले बहुत छोटी और महत्वहीन मात्रा। (Oont ke munh mein jeera, zaroorat ya apeksha ke mukaable bahut chotee aur mahatvapoorna maatra.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Samandar mein ek boond; jitni zaroorat hai ya expect kar rahe hain uske saamne bahut hi kam amount.
* Usage: The small donation we received is a drop in the bucket compared to the millions needed for the project.
13. A Gentleman at Large
* English Meaning: A man not actively employed or in a specific profession; can also imply independence or idleness depending on context.
* Hindi Meaning: एक ऐसा व्यक्ति जो सक्रिय रूप से कार्यरत नहीं है या किसी विशेष पेशे में नहीं लगा हुआ है; संदर्भ के आधार पर स्वतंत्रता या आलस्य का भी अर्थ हो सकता है। (Ek aisa vyakti jo sakriy roop se kaaryarat nahin hai ya kisee vishesh peshe mein nahin laga hua hai; sandarbh ke aadhaar par svatantrata ya aalasy ka bhee arth ho sakata hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek aisa aadmi jo actively kaam nahi kar raha hai ya koi specific job nahi kar raha hai; iska matlab independent hona ya berozgaar hona bhi ho sakta hai, depending on the situation.
* Usage: Since his retirement, he's become a gentleman at large, enjoying his hobbies and traveling. / He described his son as a gentleman at large, much to the concern of his wife.
14. A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots
* English Meaning: People cannot change their fundamental nature, character, or ingrained habits.
* Hindi Meaning: तेंदुए के धब्बे नहीं बदलते, इसका मतलब है कि लोग अपने मूल स्वभाव, चरित्र या आदतों को नहीं बदल सकते। (Tendue ke dhabbe nahin badalte, iska matlab hai ki log apne mool svabhaav, charitra ya aadaton ko nahin badal sakte.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Leopard apne spots nahi badal sakta; iska matlab hai ki log apni basic nature ya habits nahi change kar sakte.
* Usage: He's always been unreliable, and I doubt he'll ever change. A leopard can't change its spots, after all.
15. A Little Bird Told Me
* English Meaning: Used when you know something but don't want to reveal the source of your information.
* Hindi Meaning: मुझे एक छोटी चिड़िया ने बताया, इसका इस्तेमाल तब किया जाता है जब आप कुछ जानते हैं लेकिन अपने स्रोत का खुलासा नहीं करना चाहते। (Mujhe ek chotee chidiya ne bataaya, iska istemaal tab kiya jaata hai jab aap kuchh jaanate hain lekin apane srot ka khulaasa nahin karana chaahate.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Mujhe ek choti chidiya ne bataya; yeh tab bolte hain jab aapko kuch pata hota hai par aap yeh nahi batana chahte ki aapko kisne bataya.
* Usage: "How did you know about the surprise party?" "Oh, a little bird told me!"
16. A Little Bit of Gratitude
* English Meaning: A small amount of thankfulness or appreciation.
* Hindi Meaning: थोड़ी सी कृतज्ञता, आभार की थोड़ी मात्रा महसूस करना या व्यक्त करना। (Thodee see kritagyata, aabhaar kee thodee maatra mahasoos karana ya vyakt karana.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Thodi si gratitude; thoda thankfulness ya appreciation feel karna ya dikhana.
* Usage: Even though they didn't help much, I still felt a little bit of gratitude for their effort.
17. A Lot on Your Plate
* English Meaning: To have many things to do or deal with at the same time; to be very busy.
* Hindi Meaning: आपके पास करने या निपटने के लिए बहुत सी चीजें हैं; बहुत व्यस्त होना। (Aapke paas karne ya nipatne ke liye bahut see cheezen hain; bahut vyast hona.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Aapke plate mein bahut kuch hai; matlab bahut saara kaam ya responsibilities hain.
* Usage: You look tired. You must have a lot on your plate with the new project and the upcoming deadline.
18. Once in a Blue Moon
* English Meaning: Very rarely; something that happens almost never.
* Hindi Meaning: कभी कभार, बहुत कम बार, शायद ही कभी। (Kabhi kabhaar, bahut kam baar, shaayad hee kabhee.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Bahut kam baar; almost kabhi nahi hota.
* Usage: We only go out for dinner once in a blue moon because it's so expensive.
19. A Penny for Your Thoughts
* English Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking about, especially when they seem quiet or preoccupied.
* Hindi Meaning: आपके विचारों के लिए एक पैसा, किसी से यह पूछने का एक तरीका कि वे क्या सोच रहे हैं। (Aapke vichaaron ke lie ek paisa, kisee se yah poochhane ka ek tareeka ki ve kya soch rahe hain.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Aapke thoughts ke liye ek penny; kisi se yeh puchhne ka tareeka ki woh kya soch raha hai.
* Usage: You've been quiet all evening. A penny for your thoughts?
20. A Sacred Cow
* English Meaning: An idea, custom, or institution that is considered immune from criticism or questioning.
* Hindi Meaning: एक पवित्र गाय, एक ऐसा विचार, प्रथा या संस्था जिसकी आलोचना या सवाल करना वर्जित माना जाता है। (Ek pavitra gaay, ek aisa vichaar, prathaa ya sansthaa jisakee aalochana ya savaal karana varjit maana jaata hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek sacred cow; koi aisa idea, custom ya institution jisko criticize ya question nahi kar sakte.
* Usage: In this company, the CEO's decisions are treated like a sacred cow; no one dares to disagree.
21. A Sea Change
* English Meaning: A significant or fundamental transformation; a radical shift in something.
* Hindi Meaning: एक महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन, एक मौलिक बदलाव। (Ek mahatvapurn parivartan, ek maulik badlaav.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek bahut bada change; fundamental ya radical transformation.
* Usage: The internet has brought about a sea change in the way we communicate and access information.
22. An Uphill Task
* English Meaning: Something that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort to achieve.
* Hindi Meaning: एक कठिन कार्य, कुछ ऐसा जिसे प्राप्त करने के लिए बहुत प्रयास की आवश्यकता होती है। (Ek kathin kaary, kuchh aisa jise praapt karane ke lie bahut prayaas kee aavashyakata hotee hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Ek bahut mushkil kaam; kuch aisa jo achieve karne mein bahut effort lage.
* Usage: Convincing him to change his mind will be an uphill task.
23. Apples and Oranges
* English Meaning: Used to emphasize that two things are so different that they cannot be compared in a meaningful way.
* Hindi Meaning: सेब और संतरे, यह जोर देने के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जाता है कि दो चीजें इतनी अलग हैं कि उनकी सार्थक तुलना नहीं की जा सकती। (Seb aur santare, yah jor dene ke lie istemaal kiya jaata hai ki do cheezen itanee alag hain ki unakee saarthak tulana nahin kee ja saktee.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Apples aur oranges; yeh batane ke liye ki do cheezein itni different hain ki unko compare karna bekaar hai.
* Usage: You can't compare their salaries; it's like comparing apples and oranges.
24. As a Matter of Fact
* English Meaning: Used to introduce a statement that is true, often in response to a previous statement.
* Hindi Meaning: वास्तव में, असल में, हकीकत में। (Vaastav mein, asal mein, hakeekat mein.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Actually, in fact, asal mein.
* Usage: "I heard you didn't enjoy the movie." "As a matter of fact, it was one of the best films I've seen all year!"
25. As High as a Kite
* English Meaning: Very intoxicated by drugs or alcohol; also can mean very happy, excited, or elated.
* Hindi Meaning: नशे में धुत, शराब या ड्रग्स के प्रभाव में; बहुत खुश, उत्साहित या प्रफुल्लित भी हो सकता है। (Nashe mein dhut, sharaab ya drags ke prabhav mein; bahut khush, utsaahit ya praphullit bhee ho sakataa hai.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Full on nashe mein; drugs ya alcohol ka bahut zyada effect hona; ya phir bahut zyada khush ya excited hona.
* Usage: He drank too much at the party and was as high as a kite by the end of the night. / She was as high as a kite after hearing the good news.
26. Ask for Trouble
* English Meaning: To behave in a way that is likely to cause problems, difficulties, or punishment.
* Hindi Meaning: मुसीबत मोल लेना, परेशानी या सजा को आमंत्रित करने के तरीके से व्यवहार करना। (Museebat mol lena, pareshaanee ya saja ko aamantrit karane ke tareeke se vyavahaar karana.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Trouble ko bulana; aise behave karna jisse problems ya punishment ho sakti hai.
* Usage: If you keep talking back to your boss like that, you're just asking for trouble.
27. Asleep at the Wheel
* English Meaning: Not paying attention or being negligent while in charge of something, leading to problems.
* Hindi Meaning: पहिए पर सोते हुए, किसी चीज के प्रभारी होने पर ध्यान न देना या लापरवाह होना, जिससे समस्याएं हो सकती हैं। (Pahiye par sote hue, kisee cheez ke prabhaaree hone par dhyaan na dena ya laaparavaah hona, jisase samasyaen ho sakatee hain.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Wheel pe sote hue; jab aap kisi cheez ke charge mein ho aur dhyan nahi de rahe ho ya careless ho rahe ho, jisse problems ho sakti hain.
* Usage: The company's stock prices plummeted because the management team was asleep at the wheel.
28. Put On Airs (Continued)
* English Meaning: To behave in a way that shows you think you are better or more important than other people; to act superior or pretentious.
* Hindi Meaning: दिखावा करना, ऐसे व्यवहार करना जिससे लगे कि आप दूसरों से बेहतर या अधिक महत्वपूर्ण हैं; श्रेष्ठ या आडंबरी ढंग से पेश आना। (Dikhaava karana, aise vyavahaar karana jisase lage ki aap doosaron se behatar ya adhik mahatvapurn hain; shreshth ya aadambaree dhang se pesh aana.)
* Hinglish Meaning: Bhaav khana; aise behave karna jaise aap bahut bade tohpe ho ya auron se better ho.
* Usage: Ever since he got that promotion, he's been putting on airs and doesn't even talk to his old friends anymore.