Table of Contents
Understanding Common Urdu Idioms
Urdu is rich in idiomatic expressions that give color, humor, and emotional depth to everyday speech. In this chapter you will learn some very common Urdu idioms, what they literally mean, what they are actually used for, and how to use them in simple sentences.
Idioms are often not transparent from the individual words, so focus on memorizing the whole expression with its meaning and a sample sentence, rather than translating word by word.
Important rule:
Idioms usually cannot be translated word for word into English. Learn:
- The exact Urdu expression.
- Its natural English meaning.
- A short example sentence in context.
We will group idioms by their main feeling or function, such as surprise, anger, praise, or everyday situations.
Idioms for Surprise, Shock, and Realization
These idioms help you react to unexpected news or to something surprising.
1. ہکا بکا رہ جانا
Transliteration: hakka bakka reh jana
Literal meaning: to remain stunned or dumbfounded
Usage meaning: to be shocked, very surprised, speechless
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| خبر سن کر وہ ہکا بکا رہ گیا۔ | khabar sun kar woh hakka bakka reh gaya. | He was stunned after hearing the news. |
| میں تمہاری کامیابی سن کر ہکا بکا رہ گئی۔ | main tumhari kaamyaabi sun kar hakka bakka reh gayi. | I was speechless when I heard about your success. |
2. ہوش اڑ جانا
Transliteration: hosh urr jana
Literal meaning: senses fly away
Usage meaning: to be extremely shocked or scared
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| حادثہ دیکھ کر سب کے ہوش اڑ گئے۔ | haadsa dekh kar sab ke hosh urr gaye. | Everyone was extremely shocked after seeing the accident. |
| بجلی کا بل دیکھ کر میرے ہوش اڑ گئے۔ | bijli ka bill dekh kar mere hosh urr gaye. | I was shocked when I saw the electricity bill. |
3. آنکھیں کھل جانا
Transliteration: aankhen khul jana
Literal meaning: eyes open
Usage meaning: to realize the truth, to wake up to reality
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اس واقعے کے بعد اس کی آنکھیں کھل گئیں۔ | is waaqe ke baad us ki aankhen khul gain. | After this incident, he finally realized the truth. |
| شہر آ کر میری آنکھیں کھل گئیں۔ | shehr aa kar meri aankhen khul gain. | After coming to the city, my eyes were opened (I saw the real situation). |
Idioms for Anger, Annoyance, and Tension
These idioms are very common in daily conversation to show irritation or emotional pressure.
4. آگ بگولا ہونا
Transliteration: aag bugola hona
Literal meaning: to become fire and storm
Usage meaning: to become very angry
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| غلطی پر استاد آگ بگولا ہو گئے۔ | ghalti par ustaad aag bugola ho gaye. | The teacher became furious at the mistake. |
| وہ بات سن کر آگ بگولا ہو گئی۔ | woh baat sun kar aag bugola ho gai. | She became very angry after hearing that. |
5. صبر کا پیمانہ لبریز ہونا
Transliteration: sabr ka paimana labraiz hona
Literal meaning: the cup of patience becomes full
Usage meaning: patience runs out, to lose patience
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| دیر سے آ کر میرا صبر کا پیمانہ لبریز ہو گیا۔ | der se aa kar mera sabr ka paimana labraiz ho gaya. | By coming late, my patience finally ran out. |
| شور سے سب کا صبر کا پیمانہ لبریز ہو رہا تھا۔ | shor se sab ka sabr ka paimana labraiz ho raha tha. | Everyone was losing patience because of the noise. |
6. خون کھول اٹھنا
Transliteration: khoon khol uthna
Literal meaning: blood starts boiling
Usage meaning: to feel strong anger or outrage
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ظلم دیکھ کر میرا خون کھول اٹھتا ہے۔ | zulm dekh kar mera khoon khol uthta hai. | My blood boils when I see injustice. |
| ایسے الفاظ سن کر سب کا خون کھول اٹھا۔ | aise alfaaz sun kar sab ka khoon khol utha. | Everyone was outraged hearing such words. |
Idioms for Effort, Work, and Difficulty
These idioms are helpful when you talk about hard work or problems.
7. جان لگا دینا
Transliteration: jaan laga dena
Literal meaning: to put in your life
Usage meaning: to work very hard, to give your all
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| امتحان کی تیاری میں اس نے جان لگا دی۔ | imtihaan ki tayyaari mein us ne jaan laga di. | He put in his full effort preparing for the exam. |
| ہمیں اس پروجیکٹ پر جان لگا کر کام کرنا ہے۔ | humein is project par jaan laga kar kaam karna hai. | We must work very hard on this project. |
8. پسینہ بہا دینا
Transliteration: paseena baha dena
Literal meaning: to make sweat flow
Usage meaning: to work hard physically or mentally
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مزدوروں نے سارا دن پسینہ بہایا۔ | mazdooron ne saara din paseena bahaya. | The workers sweated all day. |
| کامیابی کے لیے پسینہ بہانا پڑتا ہے۔ | kaamyaabi ke liye paseena bahana parta hai. | You have to work hard to succeed. |
9. سر کھجانا
Transliteration: sar khujana
Literal meaning: to scratch the head
Usage meaning: to be puzzled, to be confused about what to do
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اتنا مشکل سوال دیکھ کر میرا سر کھجانے لگا۔ | itna mushkil sawaal dekh kar mera sar khujane laga. | I started scratching my head at such a difficult question. |
| مسئلہ سن کر سب سر کھجا رہے تھے۔ | masla sun kar sab sar khuja rahe the. | Everyone was puzzled after hearing the problem. |
10. ختم کر کے دم لینا
Transliteration: khatam kar ke dam lena
Literal meaning: to take a breath after finishing
Usage meaning: to finally relax after completing something difficult or long
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| رپورٹ ختم کر کے میں نے دم لیا۔ | report khatam kar ke maine dam liya. | I finally relaxed after finishing the report. |
| امتحان دے کر سب نے دم لیا۔ | imtihaan de kar sab ne dam liya. | Everyone relaxed after giving the exam. |
Idioms about Smartness, Foolishness, and Experience
These are useful when you talk about people and their behavior.
11. عقل کے ناخن لینا
Transliteration: aql ke naakhun lena
Literal meaning: to take nails of wisdom
Usage meaning: to become sensible, to learn a lesson
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اب عقل کے ناخن لو اور محنت کرو۔ | ab aql ke naakhun lo aur mehnat karo. | Now be sensible and work hard. |
| نقصان کے بعد اس نے عقل کے ناخن لیے۔ | nuqsaan ke baad us ne aql ke naakhun liye. | After the loss, he finally became wise. |
12. دوسروں کی عقل کھانا
Transliteration: doosron ki aql khana
Literal meaning: to eat others’ brains / mind
Usage meaning: to annoy someone with constant questions or talk
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| سارا دن میرا دماغ مت کھاؤ۔ | saara din mera dimaag mat khaao. | Do not torture my brain all day. |
| وہ چھوٹی بات پر سب کا دماغ کھا رہا تھا۔ | woh chhoti baat par sab ka dimaag kha raha tha. | He was irritating everyone over a small issue. |
(Very common: دماغ کھانا dimaag khana)
13. ناک کٹ جانا
Transliteration: naak kat jana
Literal meaning: nose gets cut
Usage meaning: to be disgraced, to lose honor
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| امتحان میں فیل ہو کر میرے والدین کی ناک کٹ گئی۔ | imtihaan mein fail ho kar mere waaliden ki naak kat gai. | My parents lost face because I failed the exam. |
| جھوٹ پکڑا گیا تو اس کی ناک کٹ گئی۔ | jhoot pakra gaya to us ki naak kat gai. | When his lie was caught, he was disgraced. |
14. آنکھوں کا تارا
Transliteration: aankhon ka taara
Literal meaning: the star of the eyes
Usage meaning: very dear or beloved person
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| بیٹی باپ کی آنکھوں کا تارا ہوتی ہے۔ | beti baap ki aankhon ka taara hoti hai. | A daughter is the apple of her father's eye. |
| چھوٹا بھائی گھر والوں کی آنکھوں کا تارا ہے۔ | chhota bhai ghar walon ki aankhon ka taara hai. | The younger brother is the darling of the family. |
Idioms about Time, Chance, and Change
Use these when you talk about situations changing or waiting for something.
15. وقت کا پہیہ گھومنا
Transliteration: waqt ka pehiya ghoomna
Literal meaning: the wheel of time turns
Usage meaning: times change, situations change
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| وقت کا پہیہ گھوما تو وہی غریب آدمی امیر ہو گیا۔ | waqt ka pehiya ghooma to wohi ghareeb aadmi ameer ho gaya. | When times changed, that poor man became rich. |
| وقت کا پہیہ ہمیشہ گھومتا رہتا ہے۔ | waqt ka pehiya hamesha ghoomta rehta hai. | The wheel of time is always turning. |
16. موقع ہاتھ سے نکل جانا
Transliteration: mauqa haath se nikal jana
Literal meaning: the opportunity slips from the hand
Usage meaning: to miss a chance
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| تم نے درخواست نہ بھیجی، اب موقع ہاتھ سے نکل گیا۔ | tum ne darkhwast na bheji, ab mauqa haath se nikal gaya. | You did not send the application, now the chance is gone. |
| محنت نہ کرو گے تو مواقع ہاتھ سے نکل جائیں گے۔ | mehnat na karoge to mauqe haath se nikal jaayenge. | If you do not work hard, opportunities will slip away. |
17. دیر آید درست آید
Transliteration: der aayed durust aayed
Literal meaning: if it comes late, it comes correct
Usage meaning: better late than never
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| تم نے اب پڑھائی شروع کی، خیر، دیر آید درست آید۔ | tum ne ab parhai shuru ki, khair, der aayed durust aayed. | You started studying now, well, better late than never. |
| اس نے آخر کار سچ مان لیا، دیر آید درست آید۔ | us ne aakhir kaar sach maan liya, der aayed durust aayed. | He finally accepted the truth, better late than never. |
Idioms for Everyday Life and Common Situations
These are frequently used in casual speech.
18. ہاتھ ہلکا رکھنا / ہاتھ ہلکا ہونا
Transliteration: haath halka rakhna / haath halka hona
Literal meaning: to keep the hand light
Usage meaning: to spend less, to be careful with money
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| بازار میں ہاتھ ہلکا رکھنا، زیادہ چیزیں مت خریدنا۔ | bazaar mein haath halka rakhna, zyada cheezen mat khareedna. | Spend less in the market, do not buy too much. |
| مہنگائی میں ہاتھ ہلکا ہی رکھنا پڑتا ہے۔ | mehngai mein haath halka hi rakhna parta hai. | In inflation you must spend carefully. |
19. ہاتھ مضبوط ہونا
Transliteration: haath mazboot hona
Literal meaning: hands become strong
Usage meaning: to have enough money, to be financially stable
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| نوکری ملتے ہی اس کے ہاتھ مضبوط ہو گئے۔ | naukri milte hi us ke haath mazboot ho gaye. | As soon as he got a job, he became financially stronger. |
| ہاتھ مضبوط ہوں تو آدمی سکون سے رہتا ہے۔ | haath mazboot hon to aadmi sukoon se rehta hai. | When you are financially strong, you live peacefully. |
20. منہ میٹھا کرنا
Transliteration: mun meetha karna
Literal meaning: to make the mouth sweet
Usage meaning: to celebrate good news, usually by eating something sweet
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اچھی خبر ہے، منہ میٹھا کرو۔ | achhi khabar hai, mun meetha karo. | There is good news, have something sweet. |
| کامیابی پر اس نے سب کا منہ میٹھا کرایا۔ | kaamyaabi par us ne sab ka mun meetha karaya. | On his success he gave sweets to everyone. |
21. منہ لٹکانا
Transliteration: mun latkaana
Literal meaning: to hang the mouth
Usage meaning: to look sad or upset, to sulk
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| چھوٹی سی بات پر منہ مت لٹکاؤ۔ | chhoti si baat par mun mat latkao. | Do not sulk over such a small thing. |
| وہ سارا دن منہ لٹکائے بیٹھا رہا۔ | woh saara din mun latkaae baitha raha. | He sat there with a long face all day. |
22. دل رکھنا
Transliteration: dil rakhna
Literal meaning: to keep the heart
Usage meaning: to not hurt someone’s feelings, to say something kind
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اس نے صرف میرا دل رکھنے کے لیے تعریف کی۔ | us ne sirf mera dil rakhne ke liye tareef ki. | He praised me only to keep my feelings. |
| بچوں کا دل رکھنے کے لیے وہ کھیلنے لگا۔ | bachon ka dil rakhne ke liye woh khelne laga. | He played to please the children. |
Idioms for Hope, Encouragement, and Optimism
Use these to encourage people or show hope.
23. حوصلہ رکھو
Transliteration: hausla rakho
Literal meaning: keep courage
Usage meaning: stay strong, do not lose hope
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مشکل وقت ہے، مگر حوصلہ رکھو۔ | mushkil waqt hai, magar hausla rakho. | It is a hard time, but stay strong. |
| ڈاکٹر نے کہا، حوصلہ رکھیں، سب ٹھیک ہو جائے گا۔ | doctor ne kaha, hausla rakhen, sab theek ho jaayega. | The doctor said, stay strong, everything will be fine. |
24. ہمت مرداں مددِ خدا
Transliteration: himmat-e mardan madad-e khuda
Literal meaning: when men show courage, God helps
Usage meaning: God helps those who help themselves
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| محنت کرو، ہمت مرداں مددِ خدا۔ | mehnat karo, himmat-e mardan madad-e khuda. | Work hard, God helps those who help themselves. |
| اس نے کہا، ہمت مرداں مددِ خدا، میں کوشش چھوڑوں گا نہیں۔ | us ne kaha, himmat-e mardan madad-e khuda, main koshish chhorunga nahin. | He said, God helps the brave, I will not stop trying. |
25. امید پر دنیا قائم ہے
Transliteration: umeed par duniya qaim hai
Literal meaning: the world stands on hope
Usage meaning: life continues with hope, hope keeps us going
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ابھی مایوس نہ ہو، امید پر دنیا قائم ہے۔ | abhi mayoos na ho, umeed par duniya qaim hai. | Do not be disappointed yet, the world runs on hope. |
| ہم سب جانتے ہیں کہ امید پر دنیا قائم ہے۔ | hum sab jaante hain ke umeed par duniya qaim hai. | We all know that hope keeps the world going. |
Idioms for Luck, Fate, and Results
These idioms relate to success, failure, and destiny.
26. قسمت آزمانا
Transliteration: qismat aazmana
Literal meaning: to test fate
Usage meaning: to try your luck
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| میں اس مقابلے میں قسمت آزمانا چاہتا ہوں۔ | main is muqable mein qismat aazmana chahta hoon. | I want to try my luck in this competition. |
| اس نے بیرونِ ملک جا کر قسمت آزمائی۔ | us ne bairun-e mulk ja kar qismat aazmaai. | He went abroad to try his luck. |
27. ہاتھ آنا
Transliteration: haath aana
Literal meaning: to come into the hand
Usage meaning: to obtain, to get something, especially after effort
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اتنی محنت کے بعد یہ نوکری ہاتھ آئی ہے۔ | itni mehnat ke baad yeh naukri haath aayi hai. | I got this job after so much effort. |
| اس موقع کو ہاتھ آنے مت دو اور فوراً درخواست دو۔ | is mauqe ko haath aane mat do aur foran darkhwast do. | Do not let this chance slip away, apply immediately. |
28. ہاتھ ملتے رہ جانا
Transliteration: haath milte reh jana
Literal meaning: to be left rubbing hands
Usage meaning: to regret missing a chance
| Urdu sentence | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اگر ابھی نہ اٹھے تو بعد میں ہاتھ ملتے رہ جاؤ گے۔ | agar abhi na uthe to baad mein haath milte reh jaoge. | If you do not act now, you will regret it later. |
| وہ ٹکٹ نہ خرید سکا اور بعد میں ہاتھ ملتا رہ گیا۔ | woh ticket na khareed saka aur baad mein haath milta reh gaya. | He could not buy the ticket and later he kept regretting. |
How to Study Idioms Effectively
Idioms are easiest to remember when you connect them to real situations.
Study tips for idioms:
- Always learn idioms in full sentences, not alone.
- Make your own example with each idiom, related to your life.
- Notice if the idiom normally uses a particular verb form or subject.
- Do not change the structure of the idiom. Say it exactly as people use it.
You can create a small table for yourself like this:
| Idiom | Meaning | My own example (Urdu) | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| منہ میٹھا کرنا | to celebrate good news | … | … |
| وقت کا پہیہ گھومنا | times change | … | … |
Fill it every time you learn a new idiom.
Vocabulary List from this Chapter
Below is a list of key words that appeared in the idioms. Learning these helps you understand many other expressions too.
| Urdu | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ہکا بکا | hakka bakka | stunned, dumbfounded |
| ہوش | hosh | senses, consciousness |
| آنکھ | aankh | eye |
| کھلنا | khulna | to open |
| آگ | aag | fire |
| بگولا | bugola | whirlwind, storm |
| صبر | sabr | patience |
| پیمانہ | paimana | cup, measure |
| لبریز | labraiz | full, overflowing |
| خون | khoon | blood |
| کھولنا | kholna | to boil, to open |
| جان | jaan | life |
| پسینہ | paseena | sweat |
| سر | sar | head |
| دم لینا | dam lena | to take a breath, to rest |
| عقل | aql | intelligence, sense |
| ناخن | naakhun | nail |
| دماغ | dimaag | brain, mind |
| ناک | naak | nose |
| آنکھوں کا تارا | aankhon ka taara | apple of the eye, very dear |
| پہیہ | pehiya | wheel |
| موقع | mauqa | opportunity, chance |
| دیر | der | delay, late |
| درست | durust | correct, proper |
| ہاتھ | haath | hand |
| مضبوط | mazboot | strong |
| منہ میٹھا | mun meetha | sweet mouth, celebration with sweets |
| منہ لٹکانا | mun latkaana | to sulk, to look upset |
| دل رکھنا | dil rakhna | to spare someone's feelings |
| حوصلہ | hausla | courage |
| ہمت | himmat | courage, effort |
| مدد | madad | help |
| دنیا | duniya | world |
| قائم | qaim | standing, established |
| قسمت | qismat | fate, luck |
| آزمانا | aazmana | to test, to try |
| ملنا | milna | to get, to receive |
| ہاتھ ملنا | haath milna | to rub hands, to regret |
Use this vocabulary together with the idioms and example sentences to review and build your own short dialogues.