A list of Some Important Idioms and Phrases
A
ABC (primary knowledge, প্রাথমিক জ্ঞান)&mdamdash;He does not know the ABC of politics.
A stitch in time saves nine- সময়ের এক ফোড় অসময়ের দশফোড়-মূলতঃ timely action বা সময়মত কাজ করা-Those people who follow the proverb a stitch in time saves nine succeed in life.
A bird in hand is worth two in bush-অনিশ্চিত অনেক প্রত্যাশার চেয়ে হাতে পাওয়া কম জিনিসও ভালো- We know the significance of the proverb a bird in hand is worth two in bush.
A snake in the grass- a hidden enemy-গুপ্ত শত্রু- He dreads a snake in the grass.
Above all (more than anything else, সর্বোপরি)—Above all, be careful of your health.
Above board (spontaneous, অকপট)—His activities are open and above board.
Abode of God-খোদার আবাসস্থল- Heaven বা স্বর্গ- Life is not a abode of heaven.
Achilles' heel (week point, দুর্বলতা)—Falling in love with ladies is his Achilles' heel.
A dark horse- A person about whose past nothing is known-যে মানুষের অতীত সম্পর্কে কিছু জানা যায় না- Mr. Hasan is a dark horse of our office.
A bolt from the blue – অপ্রত্যাশিত, দুঃখ বা ক্লেশ- an unexpected calamity- The incident occurred as a bolt from the blue.
A bed of roses– সুখ-স্বাচ্ছন্দ্যপূর্ণ-comfortable- Life is not a bed of roses.
A la mode – according to the current fashion -আধুনিক রীতি অনুসারে-He dressed in a la mode.
After all (in spite of everything, মোটের উপর)—After all, he is a good man.
After one’s own heart -কারো সর্বোত্তম পছন্দের অনুরূপ কিছু- Reza did the work after his own heart.
Against strong opposition – শক্তিশালী প্রতিপক্ষের বিপরীতে- in the teeth of- we were able to have our project approved against strong oppositions.
All at once (suddenly হঠাৎ)—All at once a tiger came out of the forest.
All on a sudden (suddenly, হঠাৎ) -All on a sudden a tiger came out of the bush.
All of a sudden (suddenly, হঠাৎ) –All of a sudden he came out.
All but (nearly, প্রায়)—The poor villagers are all but ruined.
All in – অত্যন্ত পরিশ্রান্ত- very tired- He feels all in the afternoon.
All in all (supreme, সর্বেসর্বা)-My father is all in all in his office.
Apple of discord (matter of dispute, বিবাদের মূল বিষয়)—The paternal property has become an apple of discord between the two brothers.
Apple of one’s eyes- extremely favorite-অতিপ্রিয় ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু- The boy is the apple of his mother's eyes.
As if (as it would be, যেন) —He swims so beautifully as if he were the water-god.
As it were(যেন)—The sun is, as it were, the lamp of the universe.
As usual (habitually, প্রতিনিয়ত)-He is late as usual.
As to (about, সম্পর্কে)-As to the matter I do not know anything.
At a loss (puzzled, হতবুদ্ধি)-He was at a loss and did not know what to do.
At all (primarily, আদৌ)-He does not know French at all.
At all events (in all cases, যাহাই হোক না কেন)-I shall stand by him at all events.
At a low ebb (declining, ভাটিমুখে/কমা)-His fame is at a low ebb now.
At arm's length (at a distance, অল্প দুরত্বে)-Try to keep the bad boy at arm's length.
At a stretch (without break, একটানা)-He can run ten miles at a stretch.
At bay (in a tight corner, কোণঠাসা)—The tiger was at bay in the bush.
At best (বড়জোর-) I can give you five taka at best.
At one's finger ends (ready at hand, নখদর্পনে)-All these facts are at his finger ends.
At daggers drawn (at enmity, ভীষণ শত্র“তায়)—The two brothers are now at daggers drawn.
At home (skilled, দক্ষ)—He is at home in Mathematics.
At home (comfortable, আরামদায়ক) I feel at home in your house.
At large (free, স্বাধীনভাবে)-Birds can fly in the sky at large.
At last (in the long run, অবশেষে)-I got my missing book at last.
At least (at the lowest, কমপক্ষে) -At least one hundred boys will come to school today.
At one's wits end (puzzled হতবুদ্ধি)-He was at his wits end and did not know what to do.
At random (without any aim, উদ্দেশ্যহীনভাবে)-He hit the ball at random.
A red letter day- A memorable day-স্মরনীয় দিন- The 16 December is our red letter day.
At sixes and sevens (scattered, এলোমেলোভাবে)- All the furniture in the room were at sixes and sevens.
At stake (in danger, বিপদে)-His life is at stake now.
At one's back and call (obedient, আজ্ঞাবহ) -He is always at my back and call.
At one with (একমত) — I am at one with you on this point.
At one's own sweet will (according to his wishes, ইচ্ছানুযায়ী) -He still does it at his own sweet will
At the eleventh hour (at the last moment, শেষমুহূর্তে)— The doctor came to the patient at the eleventh hour.
At times (মাঝে মাঝে) —He comes here at times.