Phrase and Idioms, Idiomatic Expressions in English 2024

Explore the world of idiomatic expressions in English, where phrases carry meanings beyond their literal definitions. Learn how these unique phrases add color to everyday conversations and enrich your language skills. Discover common phrase and idioms, their origins, and tips on using them effectively.

Idiomatic Expressions in English “A”

ABC (primary/elementary knowledge, প্রাথমিক জ্ঞান) He doesn’t know even the ABC of music.

A bolt from the blue (something quite unexpected, আকস্মিক ঘটনা, বিনা মেঘে বজ্রপাত) The news of his father’s death came to him as a bolt from the blue.

Above board (honest and legal, ন্যায় ও বৈধ) His activities are open and above board.

Above all (more then anything else, সর্বোপরি) Above all, be careful of your health.

Achilles heel (small fault/weak point causing –fall, ছোটখাটো কিন্তু পতন ঘটাতে পারে এমন দুর্বলতা) A misbehaving minister is regarded as a government’s Achilles heel and is expected to resign

After all (in spite of everything, সব কিছু সত্ত্বেও) After all, he is a patriot.

All at once (suddenly হটাত) All at once a tiger came out of the forest.

All on (of) a sudden (suddenly, হটাত) All on (of) a sudden a tiger came out of the bush.

All but (nearly, almost, প্রায়) The party was all but over when we arrived.

All in all (supreme, all-powerful, সর্বেসর্বা) Mr. Sen is all in all in his office.

All in a row (continuously, একটানা) I read ten of Dicken’s all in a row.

Above one’s means (beyond one’s income, আয়ের অধিক ব্যয় করে জীবনধারণ করা) A scrupulous person does not live above his/her means.

Above one’s station (beyond one’s ability etc, পদমর্যাদার বাইরে) He will try his best but the post is above his station.

Advanced in life (aged/old,বৃদ্ধ ) Though he is not much advanced in life, he is experienced.

All and sundry (all people, সবাই/ সকলেই ) He invited all and sundry to his father’s funeral.

All over with (ruined, সর্বস্বান্ত ) It is all over with the old man.

Against the grain (beyond one’s will, অনিচ্ছায়) He agreed with her to the proposal against the grain.

An apple of discord (matter of dispute, bone of contention, subject of quarrel, ঝগড়া/বিবাদের বিষয় বা কারণ) The paternal property has become an apple of discord between the two brothers.

As if (as it would be, যেন ) He swims so beautifully as if he were the water-god.

As it were (like, যেন) The sun is, as to were, the lamp of the universe.

As a rule (usually, routinely, f) He goes to bed at 10 p.m. as a rule. idiomatic phrases

As usual (habitually, usually,যথারীতি, বরাবরের মতো ) He was late/ the last to arrive as usual.

As like as two peas in a pod (exactly alike, একই বৃন্তে দুটি ফুল), The two sisters are as like as two peas in a pod

As the crow flies (direct-সোজাসুজি) The station is three miles away from here as the crow flies.

At a low ebb (declining, decreasing, falling, নিম্নমুখী, হ্রাসমান) His fame is at a low ebb now.

At a pinch (in case of emergency,জরুরী অবস্থা) This amount will do at a pinch.

At a round rate (at the fixed price,নির্ধারিত মূল্যে) Things are selling in the shop at a round rate.

At a standstill (নিশ্চল, অচলাবস্থা) The discussion is now at a standstill. , idiomatic expressions in English

At a stretch (without break, with one effort, একটানা, বিরতিহীনভাবে) He can run ten miles at a stretch

At all hazards (in the face of all difficulties, শত বাধা বিপত্তি সত্বেও) I’ll support your opinion at all hazards.

At any rate (at any cost, যে কোনো উপায়ে ) she must come at any rate before 5 p.m.

At bottom (really, প্রকৃতপক্ষে ; at the core,ভেতরে ভেতরে) Though he looks cruel, he is kind at bottom

At the bottom of (at the top of, শীর্ষে) The boy shouted at the bottom of his voice.

At dead of night (at midnight, গভীর রাতে ) The police caught the thief at dead of night.

At all (primarily,মোটেই, একদমই) He doesn’t know French at all. He is not at all a good man.

At all events (in all cases,যাই ঘটুক সব ক্ষেত্রেই, সর্বাবস্থায়) I shall stand by him at all events.

At arm’s length (at a distance, দূরে) Try to keep the bad boy at arm’s length. (phrase and idioms)

At cross purposes (misunderstanding each other and talking different subjects) কোনো বিষয় না বুঝে পরস্পরকে ভুল বোঝাবুঝি অবস্থায় ভিন্ন বিষয়ে আলোচনা করা) They are arguing at a cross purposes.

At bay (in a tight corner,কোণঠাসা, প্রাণ বাঁচানোর জন্য সংগ্রামরত ) The tiger was at bay in the bush.

At daggers drawn (In a state of violent enmity/hostility, on the point of fighting, ঘোর বিবাদমান, চরম শত্রুতাপূর্ণ অবস্থা) The two brothers are now at daggers drawn.

At home (skilled,দক্ষ; familiar with, খুব ভালো জ্ঞান সম্পূন্ন) He is quite at home in Mathematics. At home (comfortable, relaxed, 2) I feel at home in your house.

At large (free, অবাধ, মুক্ত) The anti-socials are still at large. সমাজ বিরোধীরা এখনো ধরা ছোঁয়ার বাইরে।

At large (as a whole, সর্বোপরি in general,মোটকথা ) He is popular with the people at large.

At last/At long last (in the long run, finally, অবশেষে) I got my missing book at last.

At least (at the lowest,অন্তত) At least one hundred boys will come to school today.

At fault/At a loss/At one’s wits’ end (puzzled, perplexed, bewildered, confused,হতবুদ্ধি, বিভ্রান্ত fate, feet) He was at fault/at a loss/at his wits’ end and did not know what to do/say.

At one’s discretion (according to one’s decision/wishes-কারো সিদ্ধান্ত/মর্জি/ইচ্ছা মাফিক) Bail is granted at the discretion of the court. (আদালতের স্বেচ্ছাধীন ক্ষমতায় জামিন মঞ্জুর হয়) phrase and idioms

At one’s own sweet will (according to his wishes,খুশি মতো) He does it at his own sweet will.

At one’s elbow (close at hand,পাশে/নিকটে ) I am at your elbow in your all troubles.

At one’s heels (close behind,পায়ে পায়ে) We followed him at his heels.

At one’s finger-ends/tips (ready at hand,নখদর্পণে ) All these facts are at his finger ends.

At one’s beck and call (obedient, under one’s absolute control, এমন হুকুমের তাবেদার, অন্যের আদেশ পালনে প্রস্তুত) He is always at my beck and call. , idiomatic expressions in English

At random (aimlessly, indiscriminately, by chance, এলোপাথাড়িভাবে, এলোমেলোভাবে) He hit the ball at random. The police fired into the crowd at random. The winners will be chosen at random.

At sixes and sevens (scattered, in disorder, in confusion, not well organized, বিশৃঙ্খলা অবস্থায়) All the furniture in the room were at sixes and sevens.

At stake (at risk, in danger, in jeopardy, ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ) His life is at stake now.

At sea (perplexed, confused, বিভ্রান্ত, হতবুদ্ধি, হাবুডুবু খাওয়া ) I am quite at sea in English

At the eleventh hour (at the last possible moment/time, just in time, almost too late, একদম শেষ মহূর্তে) The doctor came to the patient at the eleventh hour.

At the outset (in the beginning, শুরুতেই) The marathon runner stumbled at the outset of the race

At times (occasionally, মাঝে মাঝে) At times he loses his temper. মাঝে মাঝে সে রেগে যায় । phrase and idioms , idiomatic expressions in English

Average person (common men, জন সাধারণ ) An average person reads a book only for pleasure.

Idiomatic Expressions in English “B”

phrase and idioms

Bad blood (ill feeling, মনোমালিন্য, তিক্ততা) Now there is bad blood between the two brothers.

Bad book (disfavour,কুনজর,অনুগ্রহহীনতা) The secretary has fallen in the bad book of the manager.

Bag and baggage (with all belongings, তল্পিতল্পাসহ) He left the place bag and baggage.

Bear away the palm (win, বিজয়ী হওয়া) I hope you will bear away the palm in the contest.

Beat about/around the bush (Talk irrelevantly, কাজের কথায় না এসে আজে বাজে কথা বলা) Robin has a habit of beating about the bush without coming the actual point at once.

Beat black and blue (beat severely/sorely, প্রচন্ড প্রহার করা) John beat the thief black and blue.

Beat the air (useless labour, বৃথা পরিশ্রম করা) In trying to defeat him, you are only beating the air.

Bed of roses (comfortable/easy condition, আরামদায়ক অবস্থা) Life is not a bed of roses.

Bed of thorns (hazardous situation, কন্টকাকীর্ণ স্থান) Life is a bed of thorns.

Bear garden (a place of noise and quarrels, ঝগড়াটেদের আস্তানা; a place/scene of tumult and disorder, বিশৃংখল পরিবেশ) The members turned the meeting into a bear garden.

Beggar description (indescribable, অবর্ণনীয়) The beauty of the Taj beggars description.

Beneath one’s dignity (derogatory, অসম্মানজনক) It is beneath my dignity to accept that post.

Between the devil and deep sea, Between two fires (between two equal dangers, in a difficult situation, উভয় সঙ্কট) I am between the devil and deep sea between my friends.

Bear away the bell (to be the first, প্রথম হওয়া) Will she be able to bear away to palm?

Bee line (straight away, সোজা পথ) Our school is one mile away from here on the bee line.

Beauty sleep (premature sleep,প্রথম রাতের ঘুম) The beautiful girl looks more beautiful in her beauty sleep

Bellwether (leader, দলের নেতা) The police could not arrest the bellwether of the rebellious

Below the belt (adv. unlawfully,অন্যায়ভাবে; adj. unfair and cruel or hurtful fag) Never punish your younger brothers and sisters below the belt.

Beside the mark (irrelevant, অপ্রাসঙ্গিক) What he has written is beside the mark.

Bid one’s time (wait for the proper chance,সুযোগের অপেক্ষায় থাকা) They are biding their time to make the attack. , idiomatic expressions in English

Big bug (important person,গুরুত্বপূর্ণ লোক) The chairman is a big bug of the union council.

Big wig (famous person, খ্যাতিনামা ব্যক্তি) We were invited to a lunch with local bigwigs.

Bid fair (have the possibility of prospering, ভালো কিছুর আশা করা) He bids fair to be a good doctor.

Big gun (a leading man, famous political person, নেতৃস্থানীয় ব্যক্তি) He is a big gun of our locality.

Bill of fare {A menu (=list of dishes/food) in a restaurant,মূল্যসহ খাদ্য তালিকা) He took a seat in the corner and asked the waiter for the bill.

Bird’s eye view (a rough idea, মোটামুটি ধারণা; a cursory glance, ভাসাভাসা দৃষ্টি, একনজর দেখা) He took a bird’s eye view of the flood-stricken area from an airplane.

Birds of a feather (person of similar nature, একরকম স্বভাবের লোক) Birds of a feather flock together

Black art (wizardry,যাদুবিদ্যা ) Does she practice black art? , idiomatic expressions in English

Black sheep (person of bed character, কুলাঙ্গার) He is a black sheep in his family.

Blue blood (Aristocracy, Aristocratic/noble birth, আভিজাত্য) He is proud of his blue blood.

Blue ribbon (The highest honor in the profession, সর্বোচ্চ পেশাগত সম্মান; অথবা, the highest prize in a competition/event) The office of the Prime minister is the blue ribbon in political life.

Blow hot and cold (both to praise and to blame at the same time, একমুখে দুই কথা বলা) I cannot take you seriously, you blow hot and cold with same breath.

Born with a silver spoon (born rich, ধনাঢ পরিবারে জন্মগ্রহণ করা) He was born with a silver spoon

Bone of contention (matter of dispute, subject of quarrel/disagreement, বিবাদের বিষয়) The paternal property is the bone of contention between the two brothers. Phrase and idioms

Book worm (one who always reads book only,পড়ুয়া) Don’t be a bookworm.

Bosom friend (intimate friend, a very close friend, ঘনিষ্ঠ বন্ধু) Salil is my bosom friend.

Breathe one’s last (die,মারা যাওয়া ) The old man breathes his last on Sunday last.

Bring to book (to punish, শাস্তি দেওয়া) He should be brought to book for his misconduct.

Bring to light (make open, disclose, প্রকাশ করা) The inquiry brought to light some startling facts.

Brown study (fit of reverie, daydream, দিবা স্বপ্ন) He is now absorbed in brown study

Build castles in the air (indulge in idle vision,আকাশ কুশুম কল্পনা করা; make improbable plans); Don’t idle away your time in building castles in the air.

Burn the midnight oil (study till the late night,রাত জেগে অধিক পড়াশোনা করা; work late into the night,) You will not have to burn the midnight oil before examination.

burning question (matter of strong debate, তিব্র বিতর্কের বিষয়) The problem of the dowry system is the burning question of the day. idiomatic phrases

By all means (in all possible ways,যে কোনো উপায়ে) Try to do it by all means.

By and by (soon, before long, শীঘ্রই) He will come here by and by.

By and large (mostly, প্রধানত, mainly,মূলত ) People in our village are by and large farmers.

By chance (by accident, আকস্মিৎ, হটাৎ) I met him on the way by chance.

By far (out and away, in all respects,সর্বাংশে ) He is by far the best boy in the class.

By fits and starts (irregularly, অনিয়মিতভাবে, মাঝে মাঝে) He works by fits and starts.

By the by (in course of talking,প্রসঙ্গক্রমে) By the by I came to know that he was ill.

By hook or by crook (by fair means or foul, by any method possible,বৈধ বা অবৈধ যে কোনো উপায়ে) You must do this work by hook or by crook.

By no means (in no way, not at all,) I shall by no means call on him.

By/in leaps and bounds (very quickly/rapidly) The population of Bangladesh is increasing by leaps and bounds. The price of daily commodities is increasing

Conclusion

Idiomatic expressions in English play a vital role in enriching the language and making communication more dynamic and colorful. They add nuance and emotional depth to conversations, allowing speakers to express ideas in a creative and engaging manner. Phrase and idioms can pose challenges for language learners due to their figurative meanings and cultural context, but they also offer a window into the history and culture of English-speaking communities. Mastering idiomatic expressions can enhance fluency and comprehension, making language use more natural and effective. Overall, understanding idiomatic expressions in English is a key aspect of becoming proficient and experiencing its full expressive potential.

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