A to Z proverbs, phrases and idioms. Their definitions, examples and usages.

Crash course in English language
(Part 6)

A to Z proverbs, phrases and idioms. Their definitions, examples and usages.

Many well-known grammar books, websites and online teachers confuse students in the matter of phrases, idioms and proverbs. They claim everything without explaining anything clearly. Please, watch the video/read this  chapter till end. It will clear your confusions.

I) What is a phrase?
_ A phrase is a group of words giving incomplete sense outside the context. Its component words are taken literally. It can be two or more worded . There are about 50,000 phrases in English language. eg
On his behalf
In the nick of time
By no means
Take care of
Put off
Put on
Put out
Put up with
Go through
Fall short of
Bring up
Carry on
Do away with
Run after
Make up

USAGE of a few phrases :
* RUN AFTER ( to chase something /someone ) : Don't run after money. Run after peace.
*PUT ON ( to wear) : I have to put on my shoes.

{Write  a list of phrases on your notebook and learn to use them into sentences? }

II) What is an idiom?
_ An idiom is a  group of words which  are Not taken literally like in phrases but metaphorically. Its literal meaning will sound ridiculous. It can be two or more worded. eg
* BRING TO BOOK is an idiom and it means TO PUNISH. If you take it literally, it may mean TO BRING SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOUR TEXTBOOK. That will sound ridiculous. 😂
* PULL YOUR SOCKS UP is another idiom which means TO WORK HARDER. If you take it literally, it may mean YOUR SOCKS IN YOUR FEET HAVE SLIPPED DOWN, YOU NEED TO DRAG THEM UP.  Again funny. 😂

List of idioms :
To hold one's tongue
To Pull oneself together
To pull one's leg
To beat about the bush
To bring to light
To bring to book
To call a spade a spade
To Catch red-handed
To cry over spilt milk
To cut a sorry figure
To do yeoman's service
To get into hot water
To make both ends meet
To talk tall
To be a white elephant

Usage of a few idioms :
* Hold your tongue (To be silent) : why can't you hold your tongue while watching this video?
* Pull oneself together ( To recover oneself and act normally) she pulled herself together after she failed in NEET second time.

III) What is a Proverb?
_ A proverb is a short generally known sentence which contains wisdom, truth, morals or traditional views. It is often centuries old, moral of an old tale or by some unknown source.
A Proverb can be literally translated to make students understand its meaning. However, it is better to find its equivalent in the languages already learnt by the students.

A to Z list of English proverbs with their equivalents in Urdu :
A
All that glitters is not gold.
ہاتھی کے دانت کھانے کے اور دِکھانے کے اور

B

Blood is thicker than water.
اپنا اپنا ۔ غیر غیر ۔ ناخنوں سے گوشت جُدا نہیں 

 C
Charity begins at home.
اوّل خویش بعدہُ درویش

D
Do well and have well.
کر بھلا  ھو بھلا

 E
Example is better than precept.
دوسروں کو نصیحت خود میاں نصیحت

 F
Face is the index of mind.
آدمی کی پہنچان چہرے سے ھوتی ھے

G
Great boast; small roast.
اُونچی دُکان۔ پھیکا پکوان

 H
Health is wealth.
تندرُستی ہزار نعمت ھے

I
Idleman's brain is the devil's workshop.
بیکار سے بیگار بھلی

J
Jack of all trades but master of none.
ہر فن مولا۔ ہرفن اُدھورا

K
Knowledge is power.
علم بڑی دولت ھے

L
Like father like son.
جیسا ماوا ویسا پِوا

 M
Make hay while the sun shines.
بہتی گنگا میں ہاتھ دھونا

N
NO pain, no gain.
بغیرِ رنج گنج میّسر نمے شِود

O
Out of sight, out of mind.
نظر اُوجھل۔ پہاڑ اُوجھل

P
Penny and penny laid up will be many.
بوند بوند تالاب بھرتے ہیں

 Q
Quick returns make rich merchants.
نقدا نقد سودا نواب بنا دیتا ھے

 R
Rome was not built in a day.
دیر آید درست آید

S
Sleep without supper and wake without debt.
بھوکا سونا پر اُدھار نہ لینا

 T
To rob peter to pay paul.
احمد کی ٹوپی محمود کے سر پر

 U
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
کوٹھے والا رو دے ۔چھپر والا سودے

V
Virtue is its own reward.
نیکی کا بدلہ نیکی ھے

W
Where there is a will, there is a way.
جہاں  چاہ وہاں راہ

 X
X-mas comes once in a year.
ہر روز عید نیست کہ حلوا خورد کسے

Y
Young cocks love no coops.
جوانی مانگے بازار ۔ بڑھاپا مانگے گھر

Z
Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.
شوق ھے عام۔ محنت ھے خاص

Exercise for you:
Find the definitions and examples of the following terms:
Adage
Maxim, apophthegm,
Gnome, cliche,
Trite, platitude,
Stereotype, saw,
Saying, axiom,
Aphorism, Epigram,
Motto, catchphrase,
Tag line, truism
Dictum
۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

Subscribe, Like, comment and share 🤗

(Learning is a life long process. Stay humble. Stay smiling.)
_Prepared by sahil sharifdin English_

A to Z proverbs, phrases and idioms. Their definitions, examples and usages.