20 Common English Idioms with Marathi Meanings

 

20 Common English Idioms with Marathi Meanings and 5 Sentences Each

Introduction

Idioms are an important part of the English language. An idiom is a group of words that has a special meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

Learning idioms makes our English more interesting, natural and expressive. They are frequently used in everyday conversations, stories, newspapers and books.

In this post, we have presented 20 commonly used English idioms with their Marathi meanings and five easy example sentences for each. These examples will help students understand how to use idioms correctly in their daily communication.

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1. A Piece of Cake

Meaning in Marathi: अतिशय सोपे काम

This idiom is used to describe something that is very easy to do.

Examples:

1. The English test was a piece of cake for me.
2. Solving this simple puzzle is a piece of cake.
3. Don't worry about the homework; it is a piece of cake.
4. For an experienced player, this game is a piece of cake.
5. Learning these five words is a piece of cake.

2. Once in a Blue Moon

Meaning in Marathi: फार क्वचित / क्वचितच

This idiom describes something that happens very rarely.

Examples:

1. My uncle visits our village once in a blue moon.
2. We eat at a restaurant once in a blue moon.
3. He plays cricket once in a blue moon.
4. Such opportunities come once in a blue moon.
5. I watch television once in a blue moon.

3. Break the Ice

Meaning in Marathi: सुरुवातीचा संकोच दूर करणे / संवादाची सुरुवात करणे

This idiom means to make people feel comfortable in a new situation.

Examples:

1. The teacher told a joke to break the ice.
2. Playing a game can help break the ice among students.
3. He asked everyone about their hobbies to break the ice.
4. A friendly smile can break the ice at a meeting.
5. The new student told a funny story to break the ice.

4. Hit the Nail on the Head

Meaning in Marathi: अगदी अचूक बोलणे / नेमके मुद्द्यावर बोलणे

This idiom means to say or identify exactly the right thing.

Examples:

1. You hit the nail on the head with your answer.
2. The teacher hit the nail on the head when she explained the problem.
3. Your observation hit the nail on the head.
4. He hit the nail on the head during the discussion.
5. My friend hit the nail on the head with his suggestion.

5. Under the Weather

Meaning in Marathi: बरे नसणे / आजारी वाटणे

This idiom is used when someone is feeling slightly ill.

Examples:

1. I am feeling under the weather today.
2. She did not attend school because she was under the weather.
3. My father stayed at home because he was feeling under the weather.
4. Rahul looks under the weather this morning.
5. I was under the weather, so I cancelled my trip.

6. Spill the Beans

Meaning in Marathi: गुपित उघड करणे / रहस्य सांगून टाकणे

This idiom means to reveal a secret.

Examples:

1. Don't spill the beans about my birthday party.
2. Rohan spilled the beans about the surprise gift.
3. She accidentally spilled the beans about their plan.
4. Please don't spill the beans before the announcement.
5. My little brother spilled the beans about our picnic.

7. A Blessing in Disguise

Meaning in Marathi: वरदान ठरलेली अनपेक्षित घटना / वाईट वाटणारी पण पुढे फायदेशीर ठरणारी गोष्ट

This idiom describes something that seems bad at first but eventually turns out to be good.

Examples:

1. Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
2. Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise because I met my old friend.
3. His failure in the examination became a blessing in disguise.
4. The heavy rain was a blessing in disguise for the farmers.
5. Not getting admission to that college turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

8. Burn the Midnight Oil

Meaning in Marathi: रात्रभर जागून अभ्यास किंवा काम करणे

This idiom means to work or study late into the night.

Examples:

1. Riya burned the midnight oil before her final examination.
2. My brother is burning the midnight oil to complete his project.
3. The students burned the midnight oil to prepare for the competition.
4. I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my assignment.
5. The scientist burned the midnight oil while working on his research.

9. When Pigs Fly

Meaning in Marathi: कधीही न घडणारी गोष्ट / अशक्य गोष्ट

This humorous idiom is used to describe something that is very unlikely or impossible.

Examples:

1. He will wake up early every day when pigs fly.
2. My brother will clean his room without being told when pigs fly.
3. She will give up chocolates when pigs fly.
4. He says he will stop playing games, but that will happen when pigs fly.
5. My lazy friend will run five kilometres every morning when pigs fly.

10. Beat Around the Bush

Meaning in Marathi: मूळ मुद्द्याला बगल देणे / थेट न बोलणे

This idiom means to avoid talking about the main subject directly.

Examples:

1. Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.
2. The teacher asked him not to beat around the bush.
3. Instead of beating around the bush, answer the question directly.
4. He kept beating around the bush during the interview.
5. Don't beat around the bush when you know the answer.

11. Keep an Eye on

Meaning in Marathi: लक्ष ठेवणे / देखरेख करणे

This idiom means to watch or monitor someone or something carefully.

Examples:

1. Please keep an eye on my bag.
2. The teacher keeps an eye on the students during the examination.
3. My mother asked me to keep an eye on my younger brother.
4. Keep an eye on the boiling milk.
5. The farmer keeps an eye on his crops.

12. Better Late Than Never

Meaning in Marathi: उशिरा का होईना, पण केलेले बरे

This idiom means that doing something late is better than not doing it at all.

Examples:

1. He finally started exercising at the age of forty. Better late than never!
2. You have submitted your homework today. Better late than never.
3. She has started learning English. Better late than never.
4. I finally apologised to my friend. Better late than never.
5. He joined the computer course after many years. Better late than never.

13. Add Fuel to the Fire

Meaning in Marathi: आगीत तेल ओतणे / परिस्थिती आणखी बिघडवणे

This idiom means to make an already bad situation worse.

Examples:

1. His rude comments added fuel to the fire.
2. Don't argue with him; you will only add fuel to the fire.
3. Her angry reply added fuel to the fire.
4. The unnecessary criticism added fuel to the fire.
5. Instead of solving the problem, he added fuel to the fire.

14. Cost an Arm and a Leg

Meaning in Marathi: खूप महाग असणे / प्रचंड किंमत असणे

This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely expensive.

Examples:

1. That luxury car costs an arm and a leg.
2. Buying a house in this city costs an arm and a leg.
3. This designer watch costs an arm and a leg.
4. Their foreign trip cost them an arm and a leg.
5. The new mobile phone costs an arm and a leg.

15. Call It a Day

Meaning in Marathi: आजचे काम थांबवणे / काम संपवणे

This idiom means to stop working because you have done enough for the day.

Examples:

1. We have completed our work, so let's call it a day.
2. It is getting late; we should call it a day.
3. After working for eight hours, the employees decided to call it a day.
4. The students called it a day after completing their projects.
5. I am tired, so I am going to call it a day.

16. Out of the Blue

Meaning in Marathi: अचानक / अनपेक्षितपणे

This idiom describes something that happens unexpectedly.

Examples:

1. My childhood friend called me out of the blue.
2. Out of the blue, it started raining heavily.
3. She received a job offer out of the blue.
4. He appeared at my house out of the blue.
5. Out of the blue, we received good news.

17. In Hot Water

Meaning in Marathi: अडचणीत असणे / संकटात सापडणे

This idiom means to be in trouble.

Examples:

1. He is in hot water for breaking the school rules.
2. The boy got into hot water for telling a lie.
3. You will be in hot water if you miss the deadline.
4. The employee found himself in hot water after making a serious mistake.
5. She was in hot water because she forgot to pay the bill.

18. Make Up One's Mind

Meaning in Marathi: निर्णय घेणे / मनाचा निश्चय करणे

This idiom means to make a decision about something.

Examples:

1. I have made up my mind to learn English.
2. She cannot make up her mind about which dress to buy.
3. He has made up his mind to become an engineer.
4. Have you made up your mind about the trip?
5. My parents have made up their minds to buy a new car.

19. The Ball Is in Your Court

Meaning in Marathi: आता निर्णय घेण्याची किंवा पुढाकार घेण्याची जबाबदारी तुमची आहे.

This idiom means that it is now someone's turn to take action or make a decision.

Examples:

1. I have given you my suggestion; now the ball is in your court.
2. We have completed our part of the work. The ball is in your court now.
3. I have invited him to the party; now the ball is in his court.
4. The teacher has explained everything. Now the ball is in the students' court.
5. I have made my offer, and the ball is in your court.

20. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Meaning in Marathi: बोलण्यापेक्षा कृती अधिक महत्त्वाची असते.

This idiom means that what people do is more important than what they say.

Examples:

1. He always helps poor people because actions speak louder than words.
2. Don't just promise to help; remember that actions speak louder than words.
3. A good leader proves himself through his work. Actions speak louder than words.
4. She shows her love for her parents through her actions because actions speak louder than words.
5. If you want to become successful, work hard. Actions speak louder than words.

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Conclusion

Idioms make the English language more colourful, expressive and interesting. Learning new idioms regularly can improve your vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing skills and spoken English.

Students should not simply memorise the meanings of idioms. They should try to use them in their own sentences and everyday conversations.

Remember: Practice makes a person perfect!

Keep learning, keep practising and keep enriching your English vocabulary.

Happy Learning!