Learn Some Necessary Idioms for Better English [with meaning] | Necessary Vocabulary

Idiom

Idiom / ˈɪdiəm / (ˈ^ইড্‌^ইএম্‌) n [a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meaning of each word understood on its own] (কোনো ভাষার বিশেষ অর্থবোধক শব্দ গুচ্ছ; বাগধারা): ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake.

Above all [most important of all; especially] (সর্বোপরি): Above all, keep in touch. Above all, I’d say I value kindness.

Above board [describes a plan or business agreement that is honest and not trying to deceive anyone] (খোলাখুলি; অকপটে): Do not worry; the deal was completely open and above board.

Achilles heel [a weak point or fault in Sb’s character, which can be attacked by other people] (<মানুষ বা কোনোকিছুর>দুর্বল দিক/অংশ): The enemy had an Achilles heel somewhere if only he could find it.

ORIGIN [Named after the Greek hero Achilles. When has was a small child, his mother held him below the surface of the river Styx to protect him against any injury. She held him by his heel, which therefore was not touched by the water. Achilles died after being wounded by an arrow in his heel.]

Oxford Dictionary

(Not) A bed of roses [(not) an easy or a pleasant situation] (কুসুম শয্যা): Their life together has not exactly been a bed of roses.

Rose

Ø Rose / raʊz / (রৌজ্‌) n [a flower with a sweet smell that grows on a bush with thorns on its stems] (গোলাপ): She sent him a bunch of red roses.

After all [in spite of everything] (সব সত্ত্বেও; তা সত্ত্বেও): I do like her – after all, she is my sister.

All of a sudden [very quickly and unexpectedly] (হঠাৎ-তি): It seemed to happen all of a sudden – I felt dizzy and I just collapsed.

All at once [suddenly and unexpectedly] (হঠাৎ): All at once he lost her temper.

All but [almost] (প্রায়): The play was all but over by the time we arrived.

All in all [when everything is considered] (সবকিছু বিবেচনা করে): all in all, I think you have done very well.

As if/though [in a way that suggests Sth] (যেন): They stared at me as if I was crazy. It sounds as though you had a good time.

All along [all the time; from the very beginning] (শুরু থেকে; সারাক্ষণ করে): Do you think he’s been cheating us all along?

All the best [used when you are saying goodbye to Sb or ending a letter, to give Sb your good wishes] (শুভকামনা):

All over [everywhere] (সর্বত্র; সবখানে): He has traveled all over the world.

As for Sb/Sth [used to start talking about Sb/Sth] (প্রসঙ্গে): As for Raju, well, he is doing fine.

<SYN> Regarding

As to Sth [used when you are referring to Sth] (সম্বন্ধে; বিষয়ে): As to tax, that will be deducted from your salary.

As good as [very nearly; almost] (প্রায়): The matter as good as settled.

As much [the same] (একই; ততোখানি): Please lend me the money – you know I would do as much for you.

As usual [in the same way as what happens most of the time or in most cases] (যথারীতি): Despite his problems, she carried on working as usual.

At a loss [not knowing what to say or do] (কিংকর্তব্যবিমূঢ়; হতবুদ্ধি): I am at a loss what to do next.

At best [even when considered in the most positive way] (সবচেয়ে যতটা ভালো হওয়া সম্ভব): The food was bland at best, and at worst completely inedible.

Ø Bland / blænd / (ব্ল্যান্ড্‌) adj [not having a strong or interesting taste] (পানশে<স্বাদ>): a rather bland diet of soup, fish, and bread

All of [used to emphasize an amount, a size, etc. usually when it is very small] (সবটা; প্রত্যেকে): All of them wanted to go to the cinema.

At all events [used to emphasize or show that Sth is true or will happen in spite of other circumstance] (ফলাফল যা-ই হোক না কেন; যাহাই ঘটুক সব ক্ষেত্রেই): I shall stand by him at all events.

At a low ebb [in a bad or weak state] (নিম্নমুখী): Consumer confidence is currently at a low ebb.

Ø Ebb / eb / (এব্‌) n [the period of time when the sea flows away from the land] (ভাটা; মন্দা): We floated away from the beach on the ebb.

At a stretch [continuously or without any interruptions] (এক হাগাড়ে; এক টানা): I have read for three hours at a stretch.

At bay [if an animal is at bay, it is about to be caught or attacked; in a tight corner] (কোনঠাসা অবস্থায়): The tighter is at bay in the bush.

2. Bay

Ø Bay / beɪ / (বে^ই) n 1. [a part of the sea, or of a large lake, partly surrounded by a wide curve of the land] (উপসাগর): the Bay of Bangle

2. Bay / beɪ / (বে^ই) n [a herb used to give flavor to food, made of the leaves of the bay] (তেজপাতা): Bay leaf is used in curry as a spice.

At daggers drawn [if two people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry with each other; at enmity] (খড়্গহস্ত; সাপে-নেউলে সম্পর্ক): The two brothers were at daggers drawn and wasted a lot of money in litigation.

Dagger

Ø Dagger / ˈdægər / (ˈড্যাগ^এর্‌) n [a short pointed knife which is sharp on both sides, used as a weapon] (দুধারি ছোরা; খঞ্জর): Each man was armed with both sword and dagger.

Ø Enmity / ˈenməti / (ˈএনম^এটি) n [feeling of hatred towards Sb] (শত্রুতা): Bitter historical enmities underlie the present violence.

Ø Litigation / ˌlɪtɪˈgeɪʃ / (ˌলিটিˈগেইশ্‌ন্‌) n [the process of making or defending a claim in court] (মামলা; আইনের আশ্রয় গ্রহণ): the defendant’s conduct of the litigation

At-large [(of a dangerous person or animal) not captured; free] (মুক্ত; স্বাধীন): His killer is still at large.

At (long) last [after much delay, effort, etc. in the end; finally] (অবশেষে): I have finished an essay at last!

At least [as much as, or more than, a number or amount] (অন্তত; কমপক্ষে): You will have to wait at least an hour.

Ø Least / liːst / (লীস্ট্‌) deter, pro [smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.] (অতি অল্প পরিমাণ; ক্ষুদ্রতম পরিমাণ): He never had the least idea what to do about it.

At a glance [immediately; with only a quick look] (এক নজরে; দেখা মাত্র): He could tell at a glance that something was wrong.

Ø Glance / glæns / (গ্ল্যান্‌ছ্‌) v {+ adv. /prep.} [to give a quick short look at Sb/Sth] (পলকে দেখে নাওয়া): He glanced around the room.

At once [immediately; without delay] (দেরি না করে; এক্ষুনি): Come here at once!

At random [without deciding in advance what is going to happen, or without any regular pattern] (এলোমেলোভাবে; এলোপাতাড়ি ভাবে): The terrorists fired into the crowd at random.

Ø Random / ˈrændəm / (ˈর‍্যানড^এম্‌) adj [happening done or chosen by chance rather than according to a plan] (এলোপাতাড়িভাবে কৃত/বানানো): The information is processed in random order.

At stake [that can be won or lost, depending on the success of a particular action] (বিপদাপন্ন; বিপন্ন): We cannot afford to take risks when people’s lives are at stake.

Stake

Ø Stake / steɪk / (স্টে^ইক্‌) n [a wooden or metal part is pointed at one end and pushed into the ground in order to support Sth, mark a particular place, etc.] (<গাছ সোজা রাখা ও সীমানা নির্ধারণের জন্য ব্যবহৃত>চোখা প্রান্তযুক্ত দন্ড/লাঠি; খুটা): Tall plants can be secured by tying them to stakes.

At sixes and sevens [in confusion; badly organized or difficult situation] (এলোমেলোভাবে; বিশৃঙ্খল অবস্থায়): We have been at sixes and sevens in the office this week.

At the eleventh hour [at the last possible moment or almost too late] (শেষ মুহূর্তে): The doctor came to the patient at the eleventh hour.

Bad blood [feelings of hate between people because of arguments in the past] (শত্রুতা; মনোমালিন্য): There has been bad blood between the two neighbors for years.

Bag and baggage [with all your possessions, especially secretly or suddenly] (তল্পিতল্পাসহ): Many students left the hostel bag and baggage on account of campus violence.

Baggage

Ø Baggage / ˈbægɪdʒ / (ˈব্যাগিজ্‌) n {USA luggage} [all the case and bags etc. that contains Sb’s clothes and things when they are traveling] (<যাত্রিদের>মালপত্র): Never leave your baggage unattended. We loaded our baggage into the car.

Beggar description [to be too extreme, shocking, etc. to believe/describe] (বর্ণনাতীত হওয়া): The distress of the flood-affected people beggar’s description.

Bed of roses [an easy and happy existence] (কুসুম শস্যা; আরামদায়ক অবস্থা): Life is not a bed of roses.

Be at one’s wits’ end [to be so worried by a problem that you do not know what to do next] (হতবুদ্ধি; হতভম্ব): She was at her wits’ end wondering how she’d manage it all in the time.

Ø Wit / wɪt / (উ^ইট্‌) n {Plu. wits} [intelligence and the ability to think quickly] (মানসিক ক্ষিপ্রতা; বোধশক্তি): He learned to survive on her wits.

Birds of a feather [people of the same sort (are found together)] (একরকম শ্রেণীর লোক; চোরে চোরে মাসতুতো ভাই): Birds of a feather flock together.

Ø Sort / sɔːrt / (ছোর্ট্‌) n [a group or type of people or things which are of the same type or which has similar qualities] (একই প্রকার বা শ্রেণীর ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু): He’s the sort of person who only cares about money.

<SYN> Kind

Ø Flock / flɑːk / (ফ্লাঃক্‌) n [a group of sheep, goats or birds of the same type] (<পাখির>ঝাঁক; পাল): a flock of sheep

Beyond (all) dispute [certainly] (তর্কাতীত): Bangabandhu was a great leader is beyond all dispute.

A bolt from the blue [something completely unexpected that surprises you very much] (বিনা মেঘে বজ্রপাত; সম্পূর্ণ অপ্রত্যাশিত): Her dismissal came as a bolt from the blue.

Bolt

Ø Bolt / baʊlt / (বৌল্ট্‌) n [a long, narrow piece of metal that you slide across the inside of a door or window in order to lock it] (হুড়কা): I closed the window and drew the bolt. He slid back the bolt on the door.

By all means [used to say that you are very willing for Sb to have Sth or do Sth] (অবশ্যই): “May I borrow this book?” “By all means.”

Ø Means / miːnz / (মীনজ্‌) n [a method or way of doing something] (উপায়): Is there any means of contacting him?

By no means [not at all] (কোন ভাবেই না; আদৌ নয়): She is by no means an inexperienced teacher.

By dint of Sth [as a result of something] (দ্বারা; সাহায্যে; বলে): He succeeded by dint of hard work.

By the way (Also. by the by/bye) [used to introduce a comment or question that is not directly related to what you have been talking about] (<নতুন বা বিস্মৃত কোনো আলোচ্য বিষয়ের সূচনা করার জন্য ব্যবহৃত>ভাল কথা; প্রসঙ্গত; তাছাড়া): Oh by the way, if you see, Raju, tell him I will call him this evening.

A bird’s – eye view (of Sth) [a view of Sth from a high position looking down] (<উপর থেকে>ভাসা ভাসা দৃষ্টিতে দেখা; মোটা মুটি ধারণা নেওয়া): From the plane, we had a bird’s eye view of Manhattan.

By hook or by crook [using any method you can, even a dishonest one] (যে কোনো উপায়ে; ছলেবলে-কলেকৌশলে): I decided I was going to get that job by hook or by crook.

Crook

Ø Crook / krʊk / (ক্রুক্‌) n [a long stick with a hook at one end, used especially by a shepherd or bishop] (<রাখালদের ব্যবহৃত>ছড়ি):

By far [by a great amount] (সর্বাংশে; অনেক বেশি পরিমাণে বা মাত্রায়): They are by far the best students in the class.

By/In leaps and bounds [very quickly; in large amounts] (অতি দ্রুত গতিতে): The population of Bangladesh is increasing by leaps and bounds.

By and large [used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely true] (প্রধানতঃ): People in our village are by and large farmers.

Big fish/gun [a person who has an important or powerful position in a group or organization] (নেতৃস্থানীয় ব্যক্তি; ক্ষমতাশালী ব্যক্তিবৃন্দ): He is a big fish/gun in city politics.

A bone of contention [something that two or more people argue about strongly over a long period of time] (বিবাদের বিষয়): Kashmir is a bone of contention between India and Pakistan.

Ø Contention / kənˈtenʃn / (ক^এনˈটেনশ্‌ন্‌) n [angry disagreement between people] (বিতর্ক; কলহ): The matter has been settled – it’s no longer in contention.

Bring Sth to light [to make new information known to people] (প্রকাশ করা): Fresh evidence has recently brought to light which suggests that he did not, in fact, commit the murder.

Bring Sb to book [to punish someone and make them explain their behavior] (শাস্তি দেওয়া): He should be brought to book for his misconducts.

(Build) Castles in the air [(to have) plans or dreams that are not likely to happen or come true] (দিবা-স্বপ্ন; আকাশকুসুম, অবাস্তব আশা বা পরিকল্পনা): Do not idle away your time in building castles in the air.

Ø Castle / ˈkæsl / (ˈক্যাছল্‌) n [a large strong building with thick, high walls and towers, built in the pat by kings or queens or other important people, to defend themselves against attack] (দুর্গ): Windsor castle

By fair means or foul [using dishonest methods if honest ones do not work] (যে কোন পন্থায় – ন্যায়ই হোক বা অন্যায়ই হোক): Raju is determined to stand in life by fair means or foul.

Ø Foul / faʊl / (ফা^উল্‌) adj [dirty and smelling bad] (পূতি গন্ধ; বিশ্রীগন্ধ): Those toilets smell foul!

Call into question [to doubt Sth or make others doubt Sth] (সন্দেহ করা): His honesty has never been called into question.

Carry the day [to be successful against Sb/Sth] (জয়ী হওয়া): Despite strong opposition, the ruling party carried the day.

Call Sb names [to use insulting words about Sb] (গালমন্দ/অপমান করা): Raju called you names when you went away.

Catch Sb red-handed [to catch Sb in the act of doing Sth wrong or committing a crime] (হাতে নাতে ধরা): He was caught red-handed taking money from the till.

Be raining cats and dogs [to be raining heavily] (মূষল ধারে): It was raining cats and dogs.

A chip off the old block [a person who is very similar to their mother or father in the way that they look or behave] (বাপকা বেটা): Mr. Mukherjee is a chip off the old block.

Chip

Ø Chip / tʃɪp / (চিপ্‌) n [a small piece of wood, glass, etc. that has broken or been broken off an object] (<কাঠ, পাথর, কাঁচ ইত্যাদে থেকে ভেঙ্গে আসা>ছোট পাতলা টুকরা; চলটা উঠা): Polly fell and knocked a chip out of her front tooth.

Ø Block / blɑːk / (ব্লাঃক্‌) n [a large piece of a solid material] (বড়ো ও নিরেট কাঠের টুকরা, পাথর ইত্যাদি): a block of ice/stone

A carrying need [a great and urgent need for (Sth)] (অতিজরুরী প্রয়োজন): there is a crying need for more funds.

Crocodile tears [if Sb cries, but they pretend to be sad about Sth, but they are not really sad at all] (মায়াকান্না; কুম্ভীরাশ্রু): He shed crocodile tears at our misery.

Ø Crocodile / ˈkrɑːkədaɪl / (ˈক্রাঃক^এডা^ইল্‌) n [a large reptile with a hard scaly skin that lives in and near rivers and lakes in the hot wet parts of the rivers] (কুমির):

Come to light [to become known to people] (প্রকাশিত হওয়া): New evidence has recently come to light.

Curry favor [to praise someone, especially someone in authority, in a way that is not sincere, in order to get some advantage for yourself] (<তোষামোদ করে>অনুগ্রহ লাভের চেষ্টা করা): He knows how to curry favor with the boss.

Ø Favour / ˈfeɪvər / (ˈফে^ইভ^এর্‌) n {USA favor} [a kind action that you do for someone] (অনুগ্রহ; সুনজর): I would never ask for any favors from her.

Cut (Sb) to the quick [to upset Sb very much by doing or saying Sth unkind] (কারো অনুভূতিতে গভীর আঘাত হানা): Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.

Do good [to help Sb] (উপকার করা): Do you think these latest changes will do any good?

Do well [to be successful] (উন্নতি করা): Raju is doing very well at school.

Excuse me [used to politely get Sb’s attention, especially Sb you do not know] (অনুগ্রহ করে আমাকে): Excuse me, does this bus go to Oxford Street?

Few and far between [not frequent; not happening often] (বিরল): Flats which are both comfortable and reasonably priced are few and far between.

Fight shy of [to be unwilling to accept Sth or do Sth, and to try to avoid it] (দূরে দূরে থাকা; এড়িয়ে চলা): Before this course, I’d always fought shy of technology.

Ø Shy / ʃaɪ / (শা^ই) adj [(of people) nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people] (লাজুক): Do not be shy – come and say hello.

<SYN> Timid

A fish out of water [a person who feels uncomfortable or awkward because he or she is in surroundings that are not familiar] (অস্বস্তিকর অবস্থায় পরা): when he came to the village, he felt like a fish out of water.

Far and wide [from a large number of places] (সর্বত্র): They searched far and wide for the missing child.

Fight shy of [to be unwilling to accept Sth or do Sth, and try to avoid it] (দূরে দূরে থাকা; জড়িত হয়ে না পড়া): Before this course, I’d always fought shy of technology.

Fight teeth and nail [to fight in a very determined way for what you want] (দাঁতমুখ খিঁচে চেষ্টা করা; যথাসাধ্য/প্রবলভাবে চেষ্টা করা): The resident is fighting tooth and nail to stop the new development.

Flesh and blood [to have normal human limits, with needs, emotions, and weaknesses] (রক্তমাংসের দেহ): Flesh and blood cannot pock such an insult.

For good [forever; permanently] (চিরদিনের জন্য; একেবারে): He has gone and this time it’s for good.

For all [despite] (সস্ত্বেও): For all her qualification, she’s still useless at the job.

From A to Z [including everything there is to know about Sth] (প্রথম হতে শেষ পর্যন্ত): This book tells the story of her life from A to Z.

(From) a door to door [from building to the building] (দ্বারে দ্বারে; বাড়ি বাড়ি): He sells goods from door to door.

Get rid of Sb/Sth [to make yourself free of Sb/Sth that is annoying you or that you do not want; to throw Sth away] (নিষ্কৃতি বা অব্যাহতি পাওয়া): I used weed killer to get rid of the weeds in the garden.

Gift of the gab [the ability to speak easily and confidently in a way that makes people want to listen to you and believe you] (বাগ্মিতা; বাকপটুতা/চোপার জোর থাকা): Mr. Raju has the gift of the gab which may make him a great leader.

Ø Gab / gæb / (গ্যাব্‌) v {Pt. Pp. gabbed / gæbd / (গ্যাব্‌ড্‌)} [to talk for a long time about things that or not important] (বকবকানি; চোপা; কথা): I got so bored listening to him gabbing on about noting.

Go to the dogs [to get into a very bad state] (গোল্লায় যাওয়া): This firm’s gone to the dogs since the new management took over.

(Good) heavens! Heaves above! [used to show that you are surprised or annoyed] (হায় কপাল! হায় আল্লাহ্‌): Good heavens, what are you doing.

Hard and fast [that cannot be changed in any circumstance] (বাঁধা ধরা): A genius cannot be confined to hard and fast rules.

A hard/tough nut to crack [a difficult problem or situation to deal with] (কঠিন সমস্যা): The problem of adult education is really a hard nut to crack.

Heart and soul [with a lot of energy and enthusiasm] (সর্বান্তকরণে; সর্বতোভাবে): They threw themselves heart and soul into the project.

Hale and hearty [(especially of an old person) healthy and strong] (<বিশেষতঃ বয়স্কদের ক্ষেত্রে>সুস্থ ও সবল): His grandfather was hale and hearty, walking five miles each day before breakfast

Ø Hearty / ˈhɑːrti / (ˈহাঃর্টি) adj [showing friendly feelings for Sb] (আন্তরিক; সাদর): a hearty welcome

High time [used to say that you think Sb should do Sth soon] (যথোপযুক্ত সময়): It is high time for Europe to take responsibility for its own defense.

Hue and cry [a noisy expression of public anger or disapproval] (হৈচৈ; শোরগোল): Further cuts in welfare have raised a hue and cry among the USA public.

Ø Hue / hjuː / (হিঊ) adj [a different type or group] (বিভিন্ন ধরণ অথব দল): Politicians of all hues wish to get sleaze off the agenda so that they can discuss the real issues.

I’m afraid [used as a polite way of telling Sb Sth that is unpleasant or disappointing, or that you are sorry about] (না বাচ্চাক বা দুঃখজনক কথা ভদ্রভাবে বলতে ব্যবহৃত হয়): I can’t help, I’m afraid. He’s no better, I’m afraid to say. ‘Will it hurt?’ ‘I’m afraid so.’

In good faith [believing that what you are doing is right or Sth is correct] (সরল বিশ্বাসে): I gave him the advice in good faith but he misunderstood me.

In full swing [having reached a very lively level] (পূর্ণোদ্যমে; পুরোদমে): Our classes are going on in full swing.

Swing

Ø Swing / swɪŋ / (ছুয়িঙ্‌) v [to move backward or forwards or from side to side while hanging from a fixed point; to make Sth do this] (দোলা বা দোলানো; ঝোলা বা ঝোলানো): He sat on the stool, swing his legs.

In time [not late; with enough time to be able to do Sth] (ঠিক সময়; সময় মতো): The ambulance got there just in time (=to save Sb’s life).

In order to do Sth [with the purpose or intention of doing or achieving Sth] (কোনোকিছু করার উদ্দেশ্যে): He arrived early in order to get a good seat.

Ø Order / ˈɔːrdər / (ˈওর্ড^এর্‌) n [the way in which people or things are placed or arranged in relation to each other] (বিন্যাস; ক্রম): Put the files in alphabetical/chronological order.

In order that [so that Sth can happen] (এই উদ্দেশ্যে, যাতে করা): All those concerned must work together in order that agreement can be reached no this issue.

In lieu (of Sth) [instead of] (পরিবর্তে): They took cash in lieu of the lieu of the prize they had won.

In black and white [in writing or in print] (লিখিত ভাবে): Put down the statement in black and white.

In cold blood [acting in a way that is deliberately cruel; with no pity] (ঠাণ্ডা মাথায়): They committed this murder in cold blood.

In no time [very quickly or very soon] (খুব শীঘ্র; অচিরে): The kids will be leaving home in no time.

In the nick of time [at the last possible moment] (ঠিক সময় মতো; সন্ধিক্ষণে): We got these just in the nick of time.

Nick

Ø Nick / nɪk / (নিক্‌) n [a small cut in a surface or an edge of Sth] (<কোনোকিছু উপর>ছোট কাটা): He had several nicks and scars on his cheeks.

In the dark (about Sth) [to not know about something that other people know about] (কাউকে অনবহিত রাখা/অনবহিত থাকা; অজ্ঞ): Workers were kept in the dark about the plans to sell the company.

In force [(of a law, rule, etc.) being used] (বলবৎ; বহাল): The new regulations are now in force.

In a hurry [very quickly or more quickly than usual] (তাড়াহুড়া বা ব্যস্ততার মধ্যে): He had to leave in a hurry. Our guests are in a hurry to leave.

In the dead of night [in the middle of the night] (মধ্যরাত্রি): I crept out of bed in the dead of night and sneaked downstairs.

In the long run [at a time that is far away in the future] (শেষ পর্যন্ত): It seems a lot of effort but I am sure it’s the best solution in the long run.

In vain [without success] (বৃথা; বিফলে): All the police’s efforts to find him were in vain.

Ø Vain / veɪn / (ভে^ইন্‌) adj [unsuccessful or useless; of no value] (খামকা; অনর্থক; বৃথা): She closed her eyes tightly in a vain attempt to hold back the tears.

<SYN> Useless

Keep body and soul together [to stay alive with just enough of food, clothing, etc. that you need] (কোনো রকমে <কষ্টেসৃষ্টে>প্রাণ ধারণ করা): His wages are barely enough to keep body and soul together.

<SYN> Survive

Ø Wage / weɪdʒ / (ওএ^ইজ্‌) n [a regular amount of money that you earn, usually every week, for work or services] (মজুরি; বেতন): The smaller shops pay very low wages.

Last but not least [used when mentioning the last person or thing of a group, in order to say that they are not less important than the others] (ক্রমানুসারে শেষ, কিন্তু তাৎপর্য হীন বা খাটো নয়): Last but not least, I’d like to thank all the catering staff.

Leave no stone unturned [to do everything you can to achieve a good result, especially when looking for something] (চেষ্টার ত্রুটি না করা): He left no stone unturned in his search for his natural mother.

Let the cat out of the beg [to tell a secret carelessly or by mistake] (<অজ্ঞাতসারে>গোপন কথা ফাঁস করে দেওয়া; থলের বেড়াল বের করে দেওয়া): I was trying to keep the party a secret, but Raju let the cat out of the bag.

Live (from) hand to mouth [to spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money] (দিন এনে দিন খাওয়া): My father earned very little and there were four kids, so we lived from hand to mouth.

Make (both) ends meet [to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need] (নিজের আয়ের মধ্যে কোনো রকমে সংসার চালানো): Many families struggle to make ends meet.

A moot point/question [a matter of which there may be disagreement or confusion] (অমীমাংসিত/বিতর্কিত প্রসঙ্গ/প্রশ্ন): Whether this should be enforced by law or not is a moot point.

Nip Sth in the bud [to stop Sth when it has just begun because you can see that problems will come from it] (আঙ্কুরে বিনষ্ট করা; বৃদ্ধি ব্যাহত করা): Many serious diseases can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough.

Nip

Ø Nip / nɪp / (নিপ্‌) v {Pt. Pp. nipped / nɪpt / (নিপ্ট্‌)} [to give Sb/Sth a quick painful bite or pinch] (টিপে বা কামড়ে ধরা; ছেঁচা খাওয়া): He winced as the dog nipped his ankle.

Ø Bud / bʌd / (বাড্‌) n [small lump that grows on a plant and from which a flower, leaf or stem develops] (মুকুল; কুঁড়ি; কলি; অঙ্কুর; পল্লব): The tree is in bud already.

(Not) at all [in any way; to any degree] (আদৌ <না>): I didn’t enjoy it at all.

Not at all [used as a polite reply to an expression of thanks] (ধন্যবাদ জ্ঞাপনের উত্তরে ব্যবহৃত সৌজন্যমূলক কথা): “Thanks for helping.” “Not at all, it was a pleasure.”

Null and void [(of an election, agreement, etc.) having no legal force; not valid] (আইনত নির্বল ও বাতিল): The election was declared null and void.

Ø Void / vɔɪd / (ভয়^ইড্‌) adj [a large empty space] (শূন্য, রিক্ত): Below him was nothing but a black void.

(Every) now and again/then [sometimes but not often; occasionally] (মাঝে-মাধ্যে; কখনো-সখনো; সময়ে-সময়ে): They visit their parents every now and then.

Of course [used to emphasize that what you are saying] (অবশ্যই; নিশ্চিতভাবে): Of course, you know what that means.

Of your own accord [without being asked, forced or helped] (স্বেচ্ছায়; স্বতঃপ্রণোদিত হয়ে): He came back of his own accord.

Ø Accord / əˈkɔːrd / (এˈকোর্ড্‌) n [a formal agreement between two organizations, countries, etc.] (সন্ধিচুক্তি; সংবিদা): On 30 July the two leaders signed a peace accord.

Once more | once again [again, as has happened before] (আর একবার; আবার): Let me hear it just once more.

Ø Once / wʌns / (ওআন্‌স্‌) adv [one single time] (একবার মাত্র): We have lunch together once a month.

Once or twice [a few times] (একবার কি দুই বার, এক-আধবার): I don’t know her well, I’ve only met her once or twice.

Once upon a time [used, especially at the beginning of stories, to mean ‘a long time in the past’] (<বিশেষত শিশুকিশোর ও লোককাহিনী শুরুর প্রথাসিদ্ধ রীতি>এককালে): Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young princess with long golden hair.

On the contrary [used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one] (অন্যদিকে; বিপরীত পক্ষে): ‘It must have been terrible’, ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’

Ø Contrary / ˈkɑːntreri / (ˈকাঃন্ট্রেরি) adj [completely different in nature or direction] (বিরুপ; বিরুদ্ধ; বিপরীত): Contrary to all our expectations, he’s found a well-paid job and a nice girlfriend.

On the whole [considering everything; in general] (সবকিছু বিচার করে; মোটের উপর): We have our bad times but on the whole, we are fairly happy.

On the spur of the moment [suddenly without planning in advance] (মুহূর্তের উত্তেজনায়/তাড়নায়): We just jumped in a car on the spur of the moment and drove to the seaside.

Ø Spur / spɜːr / (স্পা্‌র্‌) adj {~ (to Sth)} [a fact or an event that makes you want to do Sth better or more quickly] (তাড়ণা; উদ্দীপনা): His speech was a powerful spur to action.

<SYN> Motivation

Out of woods [free from difficulties or problems] (ঝামেলা মুক্ত; সঙ্কটমুক্ত): We are not out of the woods yet, you know.

Ø Wood / wʊd / (উ^উড্‌) n {Also. woods} [an area of land covered with a thick growth of trees, smaller than a forest] (বনভূমি; বন): We went for a walk in the woods after lunch.

Out of doors [not inside a building] (<ঘরের>বাইরে): You should spend more time out of doors in the fresh air.

Out of sorts [ill/sick or upset] (অসুস্থ বোধ করছে কিংবা মন মেজাজ ভালো নেই এমন): Are you feeling all right? You look a bit out of sorts.

Ø Sort / sɔːrt / (ছোর্ট্‌) n [a group or type of people or things that are similar in a particular way] (একই প্রকার বা শ্রেণীর ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু): What sort of shoes will I need?

Out of order [(of a machine, etc.) not working correctly] (<মেশিন সম্বন্ধে>বিকল বা নষ্ট): The mobile phone is out of order.

Order! Order! [an expression used in parliament or a formal meeting to get people’s attention and make them stop talking, so that the meeting or discussion can start or continue] (শান্ত হউন! শান্ত হউন!):

Part and parcel of (Sth) [an essential part of Sth] (<কোনোকিছু্র>অপরিহার্য অংশ): Discipline is a part and parcel of administration.

Pave the way (for) [to create a situation in which Sb will be able to do Sth or Sth can happen] (কোনো কিছু ঘটতে সাহায্য করা; পথ তৈরি করা): Hard work paves the way for success.

Pave

Ø Pave / peɪv / (পে^ইভ্‌) v [to cover an area of ground with a hard flat surface of pieces of stone, concrete or bricks] (পাথর বা ইটের আস্তরণ দেওয়া): The area from the shops to the beach is paved with bricks set in patterns.

Play truant [to be regularly absent from school without permission] (নিয়মিত ভাবে স্কুল পালানো): Nowadays many students play truant and neglect their studies.

Truant

Ø Truant / ˈtruːənt / (ˈট্রূ^এন্‌ট্‌) n [a child who stays away from school without permission] (স্কুল-পালানো ছেলেমেয়ে): Police reports showed that vast majority of crime committed by children carried out by truants.

Pour cold water on Sth [to give reasons for not being in favor of Sth; to criticize Sth] (নিরুৎসাহিত করা): My brother poured cold water on my plans to start a new business.

The pros and cons [the advantages and disadvantages of Sth] (সপক্ষে ও বিপক্ষে যুক্তিসমূহ; খুঁটিনাটি): We weighed up the pros and cons.

Ø Pro / poʊ / (প্রৌ) n {Plu. pros} [a person who plays sport as a job rather than as a hobby] (পেশাদার <খেলেওয়ার>): a golf pro

Read between the lines [to try to understand someone’s real feelings or intentions from what they say or write] (তাৎপর্য বোঝা): Read between the lines, I’d say he is not happy with the situation.

Round the clock [all day and all night without stopping] (সমস্ত দিন ও রাত; দিন রাত ২৪ ঘন্টা): He is very sick and needs round the clock care.

Stare Sb in the face [if Sth stares someone in the face it is very easy to see or obvious] (কারও মুখের দিকে তাকিয়ে থাকা; এক দৃষ্টিতে তাকানো): The answer has been staring us in the face all along!

Storm in a teacup [a lot of unnecessary anger and worry about Sth that is not important] (চায়ের কাপে ঝড় – ক্ষুদ্র ব্যাপারে প্রবল উত্তেজনা): When I asked him to learn his lessons he raised a storm in the teacup and made a hell of the home.

Slip of the tongue/pen [a small mistake in Sth that you write or say] (বলার/লেখার সামান্য ভুল): I called her new boyfriend by her previous boyfriend’s name – it was just a slip of the tongue.

A square meal [a satisfying meal that fills you and provides you with all the different types of food that your body needs in order to stay healthy] (প্রচুর সুসমো খাদ্য/আহার): He looks as though he has not had a square meal for weak.

Steer clear of Sb/Sth [to avoid someone or something which seems unpleasant, risky or dangerous] (পরিহার করা; এড়িয়ে চলা): Steer clear of the center of the town at this time of the evening.

Ø Steer / stɪr / (স্টি^এর্‌) v {Pt. Pp. steered / stɪrd / (স্টি^এর্ড্‌)} [(of a boat, car, etc.) to move in a particular direction] (যানবাহণ কোনো নির্দিষ্ট দিকে চালানো): The ship steered into the part.

A stone’s throw [a very short distance away] (অতি নিকটে; সামান্য ব্যবধান): The hotel is within a stone’s throw of the beach.

Shoulder to shoulder [physically close to Sb] (কাঁধে কাঁধে): The refugees were packed shoulder to shoulder on the boat.

Take Sth to heart [to be very upset by Sth that Sb says or does] (মর্মাহত হওয়া): Don’t take it to heart – he was only joking about your hair.

Take to one’s heels [to run away from Sb/Sth] (ছুটে পালানো): The thieves took to their heels to see the police.

Ø Heel / hiːl / (হীল্‌) n [the back part of the foot below the ankle] (<পায়ের>গোড়ালি): He turned on his heel and marched away angrily.

Take French leave [to leave work without asking permission first] (অনুমতি না নিয়ে বা না জানিয়ে কিছু করা বা চলে যাওয়া): Raju went home on take French leave and has not yet come back.

The three Rs [used to refer to the basic areas of a child’s education: reading, writing, and mathematics] (পড়া, লেখা ও অংক এই তিন প্রাথমিক শিক্ষা): The majority of our people have not yet learned the three Rs.

Till/to the last [until the last possible moment, especially until death] (শেষ পর্যন্ত): He died protesting his innocence till the last.

To and fro [in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a repeated number of times] (সামনে-পেছনে; এদিক-ওদিক; ইতস্তত): She rocked the baby to and fro.

To one’s heart’s content [as much as someone want] (প্রাণভরে; ইচ্ছা মতো): The guests were entertained to their heart’s content.

Take Sb to task (for Sth) [to criticize or speak angrily to someone for something that they have down wrong] (কাউকে তিরাস্কর করা): The local newspaper has been taking the city council to task over its transport policy.

Ø Task / tæsk / (ট্যাস্ক্‌) n [a piece of work to be done, especially one done regularly, unwillingly or with difficulty] (কাজ, বিশেষত শক্ত কাজ): Our first task is to set up a communications system.

Through thick and thin [even when there are problems or difficulties] (সকল পরিস্থিতিতে; সুখেদুঃখে; বাধ বিপত্তের মুখে): He proceeded through thick and thin and made much progress in life.

The lion’s share [the largest or best part of Sth when it is divided] (সিংহভাগ; সর্বাপেক্ষা বেশি অংশ): He took the lion’s share of the profits.

To the bone [affecting you very strongly] (হাড়ে হাড়ে; অন্তরতম প্রদেশ পর্যন্ত): I cannot wait here anymore, I am frozen to the bone.

To the contrary [saying or showing the opposite] (ভিন্ন ফল দেয় এমন ভাবে): But we have proof/evidence to the contrary.

To the letter [doing/following exactly what Sb/Sth says, paying attention to every detail] (অক্ষরে অক্ষরে; প্রতিটি খুঁটিনাটি ব্যাপারে মনোযোগ দিয়ে): I followed your instructions to the letter.

Turn over a new leaf [to change your way of life to become a better, more responsible person] (নতুনভাবে, উন্নততর জীবন শুরু করা): Apparently, he turned over a new leaf and he’s not smoking anymore.

Turn a deaf ear (to Sb/Sth) [to ignore or refuse to listen to Sb/Sth] (মনোযোগ বা কান না দেওয়া): He turned a deaf ear to the rumors.

Ø Deaf / def / (ডেফ্‌) adj [unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well] (বধির; কালা; কানে খাটো): He was born deaf.

Turn tail [to turn around and run away, usually because you are frightened] (<ভয়ে>লেজ গুটিয়ে পালানো): As soon as they saw we had guns, they turned tail and ran away.

The upper hand [to get an advantage over Sb so that you are in control of a particular situation] (<কারো উপর>সুবিধা/প্রাধান্য লাভ করা): After hours of fierce negotiations, the president had the upper hand.

Ups and downs [the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship] (উত্থান-পতন): Every business has its ups and downs.

Up and down [in one direction and then in the opposite direction] (এ মাথা থেকে ও মাথা; ইতস্তত): He was pacing up and down in front of her desk.

Up to the mark [to be good enough] (আশানুরূপ): Your work is not really up to the mark.

<SYN> Up to scratch

With a view to Sth [with the intention or hope of doing Sth] (উদ্দেশ্যে/লক্ষ্যে): These measures have been taken with a view to increasing the company’s profits.

Noted from Oxford & Cambridge Dictionary