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Idiomatic Expressions
Common Hindi idioms for natural speech.
आँखें खुल गईं।
My eyes have been opened / I have realized the truth
aankhein khul gayin.
हाथ-पाँव फूल जाना
To be struck with fear
haath-paanv phool jaana
Lit: hands and feet become numb
दाल में काला होना
There is something suspicious
daal mein kaala hona
Lit: there is something black in the lentils
नौ दो ग्यारह होना
To run away
nau do gyaarah hona
Lit: nine two eleven - to make a quick exit
आसमान से गिरा खजूर में अटका
Out of the frying pan into the fire
aasmaan se gira khajoor mein atka
Lit: fell from sky got stuck in date palm
घर का भेदी लंका ढाए
An insider can cause the most damage
ghar ka bhedi lanka dhaye
Lit: the household spy destroys Lanka
अपना उल्लू सीधा करना
To serve one's own interests
apna ullu seedha karna
Lit: to straighten one's own owl
ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा
A drop in the ocean
oont ke munh mein jeera
Lit: cumin in a camel's mouth
जल में रहकर मगर से बैर
Foolish to make enemies with the powerful
jal mein rehkar magar se bair
Lit: living in water and being enemies with the crocodile
अब पछताए होत क्या जब चिड़िया चुग गई खेत
It is too late to cry over spilt milk
ab pachhtaaye hot kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet
Lit: why regret now when the birds have eaten the field
थोथा चना बाजे घना
Empty vessels make the most noise
thotha chana baaje ghana
Lit: empty chickpeas make the most sound
जैसा देश वैसा भेष
When in Rome do as the Romans do
jaisa desh waisa bhesh
Lit: dress as the country you are in
