Arabic Idioms - LANE 424
51 likes55,342 views
This document is an excerpt from "The Art of Speech-Arabic Idioms Chapter" by Hussein Maxos. It provides an introduction and overview of the book, which contains Arabic idioms organized alphabetically. The introduction explains that idioms were collected from various sources and only common ones were included. It also describes how the idioms are arranged, translated, and classified. Synonyms, variations, and usage are discussed. The book aims to help non-native Arabic speakers understand and use idiomatic Arabic expressions.
More Related Content
Similar to Arabic Idioms - LANE 424 (20)
![Creating a Language [P1: Alphabets]](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/creatingalanguage1-151123164849-lva1-app6892-thumbnail.jpg?width=560&fit=bounds)
Arabic Idioms - LANE 424
- 1. The Art of Speech-Arabic Idioms Chapter Arabic-English dictionary for idioms, proverbs, politeness expressions, religious and Islamic expressions, slang and comparative spoken-written Arabic vocabulary. The Arabic Idioms Written by Hussein Maxos Arabic for non-natives series by Hussein Maxos©, Damascus 1995-2003. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
- 2. Index • Introduction…………………………………………….page 3 • Symbols and abbreviations………………………………. 6 • Section 6 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒ ا • Section 71 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎء ب • Section 32 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺘﺎء ت • Section 42 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺠﻴﻢ ج • Section 62 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺤﺎء ح • Section 92 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺨﺎء خ • Section 13 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺪال د • Section 33 ………………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺬال ذ • Section 43 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺮاء ر • Section 73 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺰاي ز • Section 83 ..…………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺴﻴﻦ س • Section 44 ..…………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺸﻴﻦ ش • Section 44 …………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﺼﺎد ص • Section 54 ….………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻀﺎد ض • Section 74 ….…………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻄﺎء ط • Section 05 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻌﻴﻦ ع • Section 95 ….…………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻐﻴﻦ غ • Section 06 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻔﺎء ف • Section 26 .……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻘﺎف ق • Section 46 ……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻜﺎف ك • Section 86 ...……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻼم ل • Section 27 ………………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻤﻴﻢ م • Section 97 ..……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻨﻮن ن • Section 08 ..……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻬﺎء هـ • Section 18 ...……………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻮاو و • Section 38… ..…………………………………ﺣﺮف اﻟﻴﺎء ي • References…………………………………………… 2
- 3. Introduction The introduction is given in questions and answers style. They include: • What is the idiom? • How were the idioms collected? • Why were only the commons idioms chosen? • How were the idioms arranged and classified? • Why were both spoken and written put together? • How the idioms were explained? • What kind of synonyms and why? • What is the alternative-similar form? • Why the literal translation? • Several kinds of idioms and how? • How to use this book • How to recognize the idiom in a conversation or a text 3
- 4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • What is an idiom? An idiom is an artistic expression of the language. Usually, the individual meanings of its components is different from its literal meaning. By contrast, ordinary language is logical or even mathematical (he studied for five years, .)درس ﻟﻤﺪة ﺧﻤﺲ ﺳﻨﻮاتIdiomatic expressions are colorful, dramatic, lively, closer to the way people really feel, and closer to the local culture. • How the idioms were collected? (pearl diving) Unlike Arabic proverbs, where there is an existing public interest, such as books, dictionaries and lexicons, there were not ready-made sources available for collecting idioms. Therefore, it took several years to collect thousands of idioms mainly from two sources. First, live sources such as TV, radios programs and movies and directly from daily interaction. Secondly, written sources, such as newspapers, magazines, novels and books. Why were only the commons idioms chosen? (unusual in Arabic!) Naturally, the more common the expression is in Syria and the Arab world, the more useful it is, particularly to a non-native reader. In contrast, the proverbs listed in lexicons, radio, TV newspapers and magazines include a considerable number of archaic proverbs, because these are commonly presented for educational purposes to Arabic native speakers who are already familiar with common and local proverbs. To simplify the task of the non-native learner of Arabic, only about sixteen hundred idioms were chosen (from several thousands). More idioms may be added in future editions. • How the idioms were arranged and classified? Alphabetical order was chosen. As for the idioms that have more than one common form, they were listed under different letters. The first word of the idiom normally determines in what section the expression is located. Idiomatic expressions are thus looked up the same as any word is looked up in a normal Arabic – English dictionary. The same conventions apply. ( The verb has to be in past tense singular, the noun is extracted from any additions such as a preposition or a definite article etc.) . • Why were both spoken and written put together? (a first in Arabic!) Since the majority of idioms are used interchangeably between both speaking and writing, it makes sense to place them in the same section. However, to clarify, each type is marked as written only, spoken only, literary etc. Generally, spoken Arabic uses idioms more often than written, and therefore, sixty to seventy percent of the idioms are more commonly associated with the spoken language. At the same time, within written Arabic itself, there are noticeable differences in usage: news commentary and analysis, novels and society, arts and sports reports tend to use more spoken idioms than news or scientific reports and religious writing. In short, the more serious, theoretical, abstract and formal the writing is, the more formal the written language becomes. • How are the idioms laid out? First and in the right (Arabic) column, there is the idiom in Arabic script, sometimes with its synonyms, if any, and alternative or similar forms. In the middle is the literal word-for-word 4
- 5. translation in English. Finally, to the left is found the explanation in terms of the general meaning, the best situation when the idiom is used, historical and cultural background interpretation and, if it exists, the English equivalent idiom. • Kinds of synonyms Synonymous expression are meant to give the same or nearly the same meaning. In some cases, the synonym is easier to understand, and in other cases, it is more common. Sometimes, the same words can be used in a different order e.g. ﺑﺎﻟﻪ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل- ﻣﺸﻐﻮل ﺑﺎﻟﻪor the same words are used in a slightly different form (e.g. verb instead of adjective) اﻧﺸﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻲor merely a different preposition e.g. .ﺑﺎﻟﺴﺮاء واﻟﻀﺮاء- ﻓﻲ اﻟﺴﺮاء واﻟﻀﺮاء • What is the alternative-similar form? Often, the same or similar expression is used in different parts of the Arab world. The differences range from accent, an alternate or added letter ( ,)ق، ذ، ج، ث، كor use with an alternate preposition. This is due to the cultural, ethnic, environmental and dialectical complexities of the region. In fact, a relatively minor variation in accent or spelling can make the expression look very different to the learner. For example ﺑﺪك اﻟﺤﻖ وﻻ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﻪSyrian, ﻋﺎﻳﺰ اﻟﺤﻖ وﻻ اﺑﻦ عﻣﻪEgyptian and ﺗﺮﻳﺪ اﻟﺤﻖ وﻻ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﻪBedouin. • Why the literal translation? The advantages of literal translation are numerous. First, it increases vocabulary by allowing a learner to make a direct word for word translation and comparison. Second, it highlights the contrast between the direct (original) meaning of the expression and the indirect (idiomatic) sense. Third, it opens doors to the moral values and way of thinking of native-speakers. It helps to underline cultural factors: what the people consider persuasive, funny or sacred. Caution: In some cases, a word for word rendering of the Arabic into English is impossible, usually because the words simply do not exist in English. • Several kinds of idioms There are regular idioms and there are special idioms in terms of structure or meaning. Those of special structure are the dialogue expressions, the narrative expressions and the rhetorical questions. Dialogue expressions Very common in Arabic, these typically require a formulaic response to a question, for example. Two roles are required, e.g. ﺑﺪك اﻟﺤﻖ وﻻ اﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﻪ؟The listener should reply saying اﻟﺤﻖor ﻃﺒﻌﺎ ً .اﻟﺤﻖ Narrative expressions The narrative expression normally consists of two to four sentences that make a very short story which makes a point, e.g. ( ﺑﻘﻮل ﺗﻮر ﺑﻴﻘﻮل اﺣﻠﺒﻪI tell him it’s a bull, he says milk him! This means he does not understand what I mean). 5
- 6. Rhetorical questions The rhetorical question is a question form but requires no answer. EXAMPLE Offensive expressions As in English and other languages, there are many expressions that are very useful and colorful but which cannot be employed in polite company. In this book, a more acceptable, cleaned-up version is offered in its place. The fact that a more salacious version is available is duly noted. • How to use this book First, it is recommended to read the book thoroughly and carefully, so one gets a good understanding of what Arabic idioms are like. It also helps to know how the idioms are listed and how to find them or return to them easily. Idioms are useful for passive understanding as well as active usage. Symbols and abbreviations: The symbol Explanation Notes ““ Quotation mark used for direct meaning or literal translation = synonym and alternative-similar form Wr. Written-classical Arabic * Antonym-opposite << dialogue expression Slang Slang expression @ body sign language >> Narrative expression Sp. Spoken Arabic Lit Kor Eg Gulf Bed rue The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS 6
- 7. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS ﺣﺮف اﻷﻟﻒk Statistics Idioms: 174 Words:3314 Pages:10 Total number of idioms: 1579 In a badly frustrating situation, you • )إﻧﺸﺎء اﷲ( ﺗﻨﺸﻖ اﻷرض وﺗﺒﻠﻌﻨﻲ perhaps wish to disappear from existence! A tough man, a real man. • )زﻟﻤﺔ( ﺑﻴﺎآﻞ راس اﻟﺤﻴﺔ “TO BE WAITING WITH EMPTY • )ﻋﻢ( اﺳﺘﻨﻰ ﺑﻔﺎرغ اﻟﺼﺒﺮ PATIENCE” To be waiting impatiently or nervously for someone or something. “BE WAITING ON NEEDLES AND PINS” When you have only two unpleasant • )ﻗﺪاﻣﻚ ﺣﻠﻴﻦ( أﺣﻼهﻦ/أﺣﻼهﻤﺎ ﻣﺮ choices. “Like the deaf in the wedding”, means • )ﻣﺘﻞ( اﻷﻃﺮش ﺑﺎﻟﺰﻓﺔ having no idea about what is going on. “From hand to hand” too many people • )ﻣﻦ( اﻳﺪ ﻷﻳﺪ use it. “THE ONE WHO WARNS IS .• )وﻗﺪ( اﻋﺬر ﻣﻦ اﻧﺬر EXCUSED” .أﻧﺎ ﺑﺤﺬرك، وﻗﺪ أﻋﺬر ﻣﻦ أﻧﺬر A threatening or alarming expression like saying “I am warning you, you will bear the consequences. “FARTHER THAN THE STARS IN • اﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﺴﻤﺎ = ﻧﺠﻮم اﻟﺴﻤﺎ أﻗﺮب THE SKY” Used to describe something that is absolutely impossible. “SON OF THE GOOD (PEOPLE)” .• اﺑﻦ أﺟﺎوﻳﺪ Highborn, A son of good, respectable people” أﺟﺎوﻳﺪis an uncommon plural of .ﺟﻴﺪ “SON (DAUGHTER) OF (GOOD) • اﺑﻦ أﺻﻞ= ﺑﻨﺖ أﺻﻞ ORIGIN” .واﷲ أﻧﺖ اﺑﻦ أﺻﻞ، أﺑﺪا ﻣﺎ آﺬﺑﺖ وآﻨﺖ داﺋﻤﺎ وﻓﻲ Literally highborn, of noble birth and used when you praise a faithful, honest friend. “SON OF HIS MOTHER” .• اﺑﻦ أﻣﻪ 7
- 8. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS A good man is the one born and raised up by a good mother. Used normally when you praise someone’s bravery. “SON OF ADAM (A HUMAN BEING)” • اﺑﻦ أوادم= اﺑﻦ أﺟﺎوﻳﺪ (same as “son of (good) origin”) above Highborn, respectable person from a good family. “SON OF (THE) COUNTRY/TOWN” .• اﺑﻦ ﺑﻠﺪ In Arabic it is very nice to say that ﻣﺤﻤﻮد اﺑﻦ ﺑﻠﺪ وأآﻴﺪ رح ﻳﻌﺰﻣﻚ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻌﺸﺎ someone is loyal to his traditions and واﻟﻨﻮم origin. A generous man. .ﻋﻨﺪﻩ “SON (DAUGHTER) OF PRISONS” .• اﺑﻦ ﺣﺒﻮس Used to warn a friend when he deals with ! ﻻ ﺗﺜﻖ ﻓﻴﻪ ﺑﺴﺮﻋﺔ، ﻻ ﺗﻨﺴﻰ اﻧﻪ اﺑﻦ ﺣﺒﻮس someone who was in prison. Also used as an insult. “SON (DAUGHTER) OF .• اﺑﻦ ﺣﺮام WRONGDOING” A bastard. “SON (DAUGHTER) OF LINEAGE .• اﺑﻦ ﺣﺴﺐ و ﻧﺴﺐ AND KINSHIP” High bred or of noble birth. Someone who comes from superior stock. “SON (DAUGHTER) OF .• اﺑﻦ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ GOVERNMENT” .هﺬا اﺑﻦ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﻣﺎ رح ﺗﻘﺪر ﺗﻐﻠﺒﻪ A policeman or a high ranking official in a state organization whom you have to avoid being in trouble with. “SON OF ITS (HIS) HOUR” .• اﺑﻦ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﻪ When used to describe an event, it means it happened suddenly. When used to describe someone, it means the person is strange and unpredictable. “SON OF CRAFT” .• اﺑﻦ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ A skillful craftsman, artisan or any .أﺑﻮ ﻋﺒﺪ اﷲ ﻧﺠﺎر ﻣﻦ أرﺑﻌﻴﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ، هﻮ ﻓﻌﻼ اﺑﻦ ﺻﻨﻌﺔ ً handicraft professional. .• اﺑﻦ ﻋﺎﻟﻢ و ﻧﺎس = اﺑﻦ أﺻﻞ، اﺑﻦ ﺣﻼل “SON (DAUGHTER) OF POWER .• اﺑﻦ ﻋﺰ (HIGH STANDING)” ﺻﺤﻴﺢ اﺑﻦ ﻋﺰ، ﺑﺲ ﻣﺘﻮاﺿﻊ آﻤﺎن A class expression which describes someone who is (or was) from a 8
- 9. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS powerful, wealthy family who is generous and helpful. “SON OF YESTERDAY” .• اﺑﻦ ﻣﺒﺎرح “Brand-new, fresh, inexperienced” .أﻧﺎ ﻣﺎﻧﻲ ﻣﺴﺘﻐﺮب ﻓﺸﻠﻪ، هﺎدا اﺑﻦ ﻣﺒﺎرح Someone whose ability or competence to handle a certain situation you do not trust. Used also by the older generation to describe a younger, inexperienced person. Eng: “BORN YESTERDAY” “SON (DAUGHTER) OF SCHOOLS” • اﺑﻦ ﻣﺪارس= ﺑﻨﺖ ﻣﺪارس Used when an educated person behaves ﻃﺒﻌً، هﺎي ﺑﻨﺖ ﻣﺪارس ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﻌﺮف ﺗﻄﺒﺦ وﺗﺮﺗﺐ اﻟﺒﻴﺖ ﺎ in a strange or disappointing manner. .ﻣﺘﻞ أﻣﻬﺎ Used by common people to confirm that schools do not teach everything and life still the best teacher. “COOL MY BREAST (CHEST)” .• أﺛﻠﺞ ﺻﺪري To give relief or comfort or bring hoped- .أﺧﺒﺎرك اﻟﺴﺎرة هﺬﻩ أﺛﻠﺠﺖ ﺻﺪري for good news. Formal. "IT CAME TO MY MIND" • أﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ To feel like (drinking, eating something or going somewhere..) You want to do it but no decision has been made yet. "YOUR CHANCE HAS COME" • أﺟﺎ ﻧﺼﻴﺒﻚ This is your fate, luck or opportunity. (It, he...) Just came on time. • أﺟﺎ وﻗﺘﻪ ،أﺟﺎ ﺑﻮﻗﺘﻪ “LEG OF (THE) CHAIR” • اﺟﺮ آﺮﺳﻲ= ر ِﻞ آﺮﺳﻲ ﺟ A front man or someone who has less importance or power than his position would suggest. An empty suit. “You make hesitant steps” when you are • اﺟﺮ ﻟﻮرا و اﺟﺮ ﻟﻘﺪام hesitant or confused concerning what to ﺑﺼﺮاﺣﺔ، آﻨﺖ ﻣﺘﺮدد، ﻣﺎﺷﻲ إﺟﺮ ﻟﻮرا واﺟﺮ ﻟﻘﺪام say or what to do in your way heading for some people or a place. “MY LEG AND YOUR LEG IN (ARE .• اﺟﺮي و اﺟﺮك ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻠﻘﺔ BOTH RECEIVING) BASTINADO”. ﻻ ﺗﻬﺪدﻧﻲ ! اﺟﺮي و اﺟﺮك ﺑﺎﻟﻔﻠﻘﺔ “We both share the responsibility (for this mistake or the trouble) so don’t think you can escape”. Bastinado is a traditional (and painful) punishment which involves being beaten on the soles of the feet. 9
- 10. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS When you complain that there are too • ﺁﺟﻮج و ﻣﺄﺟﻮج many people coming to the place, also a ﻻﺗﺮوﺣﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻌﺮض اﻟﻴﻮم، اﻟﻨﺎس هﻨﻴﻚ ﺁﺟﻮج crowded place. (Quranic expression) .وﻣﺎﺟﻮج “YOU CAME AND GOD BROUGHT .• اﺟﻴﺖ واﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ YOU” .أهﻼ وﺳﻬ ً، ﺟﻴﺖ واﷲ ﺟﺎﺑﻚ، ﺗﻌﺎل ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻧﺎ ﻼ ً You just came at the right time, just when you were needed. It’s a cheerful expression used to describe a situation when you are in trouble and a friend who can help you appears unexpectedly. “AAH, (FROM) YOU!” • ﺁخ ﻣﻨﻚ “Oh god! What have you done?” oh, you again. A joking complaint. “TAKE MIND (ATTENTION)” • أﺧﺪ ﺑﺎﻟﻪ= دﻳﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻚ To take care, be careful or pay attention. EG “TURN MIND (ATTENTION” To take care, be careful or pay attention. SYR “TAKE BY THE HAND” .• أﺧﺪ ﺑﻴﺪﻩ To give a hand, ensure support or help. “TAKE HIS (HER) SOUL”, To kill, take .• أﺧﺪ روﺣﻪ someone’s life. “TAKE ONE’S MIND” • ﺁﺧﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﻪ To be obsessed by a hobby or some .اﻟﻜﻤﺒﻴﻮﺗﺮ ﺁﺧﺪ ﻋﻘﻠﻪ، ﻟﻴﻞ ﻧﻬﺎر و هﻮ ﻗﺪاﻣﻪ activity. “TAKE ON ONE’S MIND (HEART)” .• أﺧﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﺎﻃﺮﻩ To be or become offended. To have one’s آﻼﻣﻚ ﻣﻌﻬﺎ ﻓﻴﻪ ﻧﻘﺪ واﺿﺢ ﻟﺬﻟﻚ أﺧﺪت ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﺎﻃﺮهﺎ feelings hurt. “TAKE ON HIM (HER/IT)” • أﺧﺪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ To criticize. “TAKE TO (FOR) IT A MEANING” .• أﺧﺪ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻣﻌﻨﻰ To misinterpret or misunderstand. Usually a hint or word that can have a double or negative meaning. “TAKE A BREATH” .• أﺧﺪ ﻧﻔﺲ To regain energy, take a break or have a chance to recover from a tiring period or stage. 10
- 11. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS “GIVE AND TAKE” .• أﺧﺪ و ﻋﻄﺎ This means discussion, exchanging views .ﻣﻌﻠﻴﺶ، ﺗﺪ ّﻦ ﻣﻨﻪ! هﻴﻚ اﻟﺤﻴﺎة أﺧﺪ و ﻋﻄﺎ ﻳ and arguing. It can also mean to borrow and lend or buy and sell. And also to be flexible or sociable in company. “THE LATEST BUNCH (OF .• ﺁﺧﺮ اﻟﻌﻨﻘﻮد GRAPES)” ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﺣﺒﻴﺐ أﻣﻪ ﺁﺧﺮ اﻟﻌﻨﻘﻮد An endearment expression for the younger child in the Arab family who traditionally receives more attention and care than the rest of his/her older brothers and sisters. “THE END OF TIME” This shows .• ﺁﺧﺮ زﻣﺎن dissatisfaction, regret or criticism ﺷﺎﻳﻒ! ﺷﺒﺎب ﺁﺧﺮ زﻣﺎن concerning a strange trend, product or behavior with which traditions do not agree. “LATEST FAD” • ﺁﺧﺮ ﺻﺮﻋﺔ = ﺁﺧﺮ ﺻﻴﺤﺔ (same as “latest cry”) Most recent style or trend. “THE LATEST CRY” .• ﺁﺧﺮ ﺻﻴﺤﺔ Used when you are proud of or impressed )هﺬا ال، هﺎل( اﻟﺠﺎآﻴﺖ ﺁﺧﺮ ﺻﻴﺤﺔ ﺑﻌﺎﻟﻢ اﻷزﻳﺎء by a specific fashion or style and you want to say it is the latest trend. (LIKE) ADAM • ﺁدﻣﻲ A person who has a good reputation. (IF THE PRECIOUS GOES, • إذا ﺑﻴﺮوح اﻟﻐﺎﻟﻲ آﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﻴﺮﺧﺺ EVERTHING IS CHEAPENED" When you justify being careless after losing something dear or precious. "WHEN ANGELS COME, DEVILS • إذا ﺣﻀﺮت اﻟﻤﻼﺋﻜﺔ هﺮﺑﺖ اﻟﺸﻴﺎﻃﻴﻦ RUN AWAY" A funny expression used ﻟﻴﺶ راﻳﺤﺔ؟ ﻳﻌﻨﻲ إذا إﺟﺖ اﻟﻤﻼﺋﻜﺔ هﺮﺑﺖ اﻟﺸﻴﺎﻃﻴﻦ؟ when someone on the way out meets someone else coming in. (mythical origin) 'IF IT IS FATED" • إذا ﺻﺎر ﻧﺼﻴﺐ If it happens, if it ever happens, if gods will or if it is (his, her, its..) fate to. “HIS TONGUE WAS TIED” • ارﺗﺒﻂ ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻪ To be tongue-tied, speechless, stunned. 11
- 12. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS “CHEAPER THAN THE RADISH” It is • ارﺧﺺ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻔﺠﻞ very cheap or cheaper than you think. “HIS WALL/FENCE IS • اﺳﺘﻮﻃﻰ ﺣﻴﻄﻪ CONSIDERED LOW” He is an easy mark or a victim. (Historically, thieves preferred houses of easy fences and low walls) Joke or real. "IS THE SHEEP COOKED?' • اﺳﺘﻮى هﺎﻟﺨﺮوف= ﻣﺎ اﺳﺘﻮى اﻟﺨﺎروف When you complain that, someone went to make something to drink or to eat and he is slow or late. • اﺳﻢ اﷲ ﺣﻮﻟﻚ و ﺣﻮاﻟﻴﻚ - ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎﺗﻴﺔ ﻟﻄﻒ "I DESIRED IT FOR YOU" • اﺷﺘﻬﻴﺖ ﻟﻚ ﻳﺎهﺎ Eng: "I wish you had been there" Said when you enjoyed something and wanted another person to share it. "WE WISH YOU WERE HERE". • أﺷﺘﻬﻴﻨﺎك ﺗﻜﻮن ﻣﻌﻨﺎ I (HOPE TO) SEE YOUR FACE WELL" • أﺷﻮف وﺟﻬﻚ ﺑﺨﻴﺮ ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺒﺎﺗﻲ-ﻟﻄﻒ 'THE FINGERS OF YOUR HAND ARE • أﺻﺎﺑﻊ اﻷﻳﺪ ﻣﻮ ﻣﺘﻞ ﺑﻌﻀﻬﻦ NOT THE SAME" An expression used to say that people from the same family, tribe, town or country are not the same, so you should not generalize. “HE (SHE) TURNED YELLOW AND .• اﺻﻔﺮ واﺧﻀﺮ ّ ّ GREEN” When someone’s color changes, he/she is deeply moved, shocked or scared. “(YOUR) NERVES ARE COLD” .• أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻚ ﺑﺎردة A person with a “cold nerves” is a cold .واﺟﻪ اﻟﻤﻮﻗﻒ رﻏﻢ ﺧﻄﻮرﺗﻪ ﺑﺄﻋﺼﺎب ﺑﺎردة person. This can be both praise and insult. "HE CALLS THE ONE-EYED MAN • اﻋﻮر اﻋﻮر ﺑﻌﻴﻨﻪ= ﺑﻴﻘﻮل ﻟﻸﻋﻮر أﻋﻮر ONE-EYED" ﺑﻌﻴﻨﻜﺰ A straight-speaking person who gives his honest opinion without regard to tact. "HE CALLS A SPADE A SPADE" 12
- 13. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS “PULL OUT THE TOOTH AND • اﻗﻠﻊ اﻟﻀﺮس وارﺗﺎح ﻣﻨﻪ RELAX (FROM) IT.” “To pull out the (bad) tooth and relax” means to take off your pain (the source of trouble) thoroughly and immediately. “GET IT OVER WITH” "MORE THE CONCERN ON THE • اآﺘﺮ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻬﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ HEART" "Don't worry; that's the least of your worries. You can't worry about everything. "HE ATE HIS FINGERS OUT OR • ﺁآﻞ اﺻﺎﺑﻌﻪ ﻧﺪاﻣﺔ = ﻋﺾ أﺻﺎﺑﻌﻪ ﻧﺪاﻣﺔ ّ REGRET" "He was deeply sorry. "HE ATE HIS FINGERS AFTER IT" • أآﻞ اﺻﺎﺑﻌﻪ وراهﺎ When you lick your fingers after a meal, .ﻃﺒﺨﺖ ﻟﻨﺎ أﻣﻬﺎ أآﻠﺔ، أآﻠﻨﺎ أﺻﺎﺑﻌﻨﺎ وراهﺎ it shows it was very delicious and tasty. "HE ATE THE MONEY" • أآﻞ اﻟﻤﺼﺎري When you deny your debt or refuse to pay back or give back. "HE STIFFED US" "HE ATE SWEETS IN HIS MIND" .• أآﻞ ﺑﻌﻘﻠﻪ ﺣﻼوة To be tempted by someone's .ﻻ ﺗﺤﺎوﻟﻲ ﺗﺎآﻠﻲ ﺑﻌﻘﻠﻲ ﺣﻼوة! ﻣﺎ رح واﻓﻖ persuasiveness. "HE ATE THE SHAFT" • أآﻞ ﺧﺎزوق The "khazouk" was an Ottoman way of executing a man by making him sit on a sharp stake (the shaft). Said when you are stuck in a bad situation, get cheated or suffer a big loss. (informal) "HE GOT SCREWED" "HE ATE MY HEAD" "HE ATE • أآﻞ راﺳﻲ = أآﻞ وﺟﻬﻲ MY FACE" He was overly insistent. "HE ATE A BEATING" !• أآﻞ ﻗﺘﻠﺔ To be beaten up or physically hurt. "HE TOOK A BEATING" "HE ATE WORRY" • أآﻞ هﻢ To be worried or deeply concerned. "HE ATE AIR" "HE ATE THE • أآﻞ هﻮا = أآﻞ ﺧﺎزوق SHAFT" 13
- 14. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS Said when one takes a loss or suffers a humiliation. (He is) terribly insisting person. Also • أآﻞ وﺟﻬﻲ when you receive criticism or blame from people. "HE ATE IT WITH HIS EYES" .• أآﻠﻬﺎ ﺑﻌﻴﻨﻪ If someone or something fascinates you, you keep staring at it, and then people would notice and use this expression to wake you up. "HE COULDN'T TAKE HIS EYES OFF IT (HER)." “ADMITTING A SIN IS A • اﻻﻋﺘﺮاف ﺑﺎﻟﺬﻧﺐ ﻓﻀﻴﻠﺔ VIRTUE” ﻣﺜﻞ “DAMASCUS IS THE MOTHER OF .• اﻟﺸﺎم أم اﻟﺪﻧﻴﺎ THE WORLD” .ﻃﺒﻌﺎ ﺑﺘﻼﻗﻲ آﻞ ﺷﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﺎم، اﻟﺸﺎم أم اﻟﺪﻧﻴﺎ ً “Damascus is the best place in the world” if you are in Damascus or Syria you might hear this. Egyptians have their own expression though.”.“ﻣﺼﺮ أم اﻟﺪﻧﻴﺎ “FOR YOU OR FOR THE WOLF?” <<..• اﻟﻚ وﻻ ﻟﻠﺪﻳﺐ A warmly provocative expression used - ﺧﺴﺎ اﻟﺪﻳﺐ ﻣﺤﻤﻮد! اﻟﻚ وﻻ ﻟﻠﺪﻳﺐ ّ when one asks a friend to do you a favor, ..ﻻزﻣﻨﻲ ﺧﻤﺲ ﻣﻴﺔ ﻟﻴﺮة something you really need, If this friend responds positively, he should answer: . ﺧﺴﺎ اﻟﺪﻳﺐ “WOE TO THE WOLF” This shows they are willing to help. "THE ONE WHO LISTENS TO YOU • اﻟﻠﻲ ﺑﻴﺴﻤﻌﻚ ﺑﻴﺼﺪﻗﻚ= أﺳﻤﻊ آﻼﻣﻚ BELIEVES YOU. أﺻﺪﻗﻚ، أﺷﻮف أﻣﻮرك أﺳﺘﻐﺮب/أﺳﺘﻌﺠﺐ When someone mentions a matter in a way you don’t like, you try to deny it, its accuracy or to show false. WHAT IS GONE S DEAD” • اﻟﻠﻲ ﻓﺎت ﻣﺎت The past is the past, Said it when you change your mind concerning a previous agreement or when a new set of rules have been put into effect. 14
- 15. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "IT HAS ITS NOISE AND RINGING" • اﻟﻪ ﻃﻨﺔ ورﻧﺔ Attractive, popular or important (someone or something). “HE HAS A WORD” • اﻟﻪ آﻠﻤﺔ = اﻳﺪﻩ ﻃﺎﻳﻠﺔ Used to describe someone who is listened to and taken seriously. A powerful person with good connections. "HE HAS A POINT (VIEW). • اﻟﻪ ﻧﻈﺮة The experienced man has good perspectives, go and ask him when you need to. 'TAKE HOLD OF YOUR NERVES" • اﻣﺴﻚ أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻚ Cool down, calm down or take it easy. "GET A GRIP" “HOPE OF THE DEVIL IN .• أﻣﻞ إﺑﻠﻴﺲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻨﺔ HEAVEN” It is impossible, no way! Never think about it, it will never happen, or you will never get it. “NOT A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HELL” "THE TIME HAS COME" • ﺁن اﻷوان It is time to. It is the best time to. .ﺁن اﻷوان ﻧﻮ ّﻊ ﺷﺮآﺘﻨﺎ، اﻟﻈﺮوف ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﺳ "IF SHE SPLIT HERSELF" • إن ﺷﻘﺖ ﺣﺎﻟﻬﺎ Said to express the worst case scenario .رح ﺿﻞ هﻨﻴﻚ ﺗﻤﺎﻧﻴﺔ اﻳﺎم وان ﺷﻘﺖ ﻋﺸﺮة اﻳﺎم ّ that could happen. It can't be any worse than this. It can't go beyond this limit. “HIS TONGUE (WAS) WORN OUT” • اﻧﺒﺮى ﻟﺴﺎﻧﻪ “I (he) told you a hundred times” “YOU ARE BIGGER THAN THIS” • أﻧﺖ اآﺒﺮ ﻣﻦ هﻴﻚ You are saying this just because you are mad, you will not do it. Used when your friend is blaming you for saying, planning or doing anything bad. "HIS THINKING WAS PARALYSED" • اﻧﺸﻞ ﺗﻔﻜﻴﺮﻩ To become unable to think because of being shocked, perplexed or exhausted. "HE FROZE. HE CHOKED" “HE (SHE) WAS BEATEN ON HIS .• اﻧﻀﺮب ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻴﻨﻪ (HER) EYE” Used to ask someone “How could you 15
- 16. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS have possibly done this? An offensive expression used when you strongly blame someone. "IT WAS BLINDED ON MY HEART" • اﻧﻌﻤﻰ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ “To be blind-hearted”, means to be unaware of. "MY HEART STOPPED" • اﻧﻘﻄﻊ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ You use it when you are scared or panic- stricken. "MY HEART FROZE" “THE (QURANIC) VERSE WAS .• اﻧﻘﻠﺒﺖ اﻵﻳﺔ TURNED AROUND” “The situation is now reversed” When two persons or two groups exchange their positions in a stage of some event. "HIS WISH (EXPECTATION) WAS • اﻧﻜﺴﺮ ﺧﺎﻃﺮﻩ BROKEN" To be emotionally hurt, offended or very disappointed. "MY NERVES WERE DESTROYED" • اﻧﻬﺪت أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻲ= ﺗﻠﻔﺖ/هﻠﻜﺖ أﻋﺼﺎﺑﻲ To be exhausted after nervous or difficult situation. “PEOPLE (FAMILY) (OWNERS) OF .• أهﻞ اﻟﺒﻴﺖ THE HOUSE” .أﻧﺖ ﻣﻦ أهﻞ اﻟﺒﻴﺖ، ﻣﻤﻜﻦ ﺗﺰورﻧﺎ ﺑﺄي وﻗﺖ Said to welcome someone to the house. A typically hospitable expression used for saying: you are not a stranger! “FIRST WITH THE FIRST” • أول ﺑﺄول One by one, piece by piece or gradually. "A HAND BEHIND AND A HAND IN • أﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ورا و أﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪام FRONT" ﻋﻴﺐ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ ﻳﺰور أهﻠﻪ وهﻮ راﻳﺢ اﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ورا واﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ “Empty handed” how disappointing when .ﻗﺪام ﺑﻌﺪ ﻏﻴﺎب ﻃﻮﻳﻞ somebody doesn’t bring with him what you expected him to! “ONE HAND DOES NOT CLAP” • أﻳﺪ وﺣﺪهﺎ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺘﺼﻔﻖ One hand can not do much. Unity is needed for stronger action. "YOUR HAND AND WHAT IT CAN • أﻳﺪك وﻣﺎ ﺗﻄﻮل = ﺑﻠﻂ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ ّ REACH" “Do whatever you can, you will not be able to hurt me” 16
- 17. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "HIS HEAND IS LIGHT" • اﻳﺪﻩ ﺧﻔﻴﻔﺔ A skilled man. A thief. “HIS (HER) HAND IS STRETCHED • أﻳﺪﻩ ﻃﺎﻳﻠﺔ OUT” A person with “an extended hand” is powerful person, someone with influence and connections. (HIS (HER) HAND {ARM) IS LONG • اﻳﺪﻩ ﻃﻮﻳﻠﺔ Used to describe a thief or crook. “HIS HAND IS EMPTY” • أﻳﺪﻩ ﻓﺎﺿﺒﺔ = أﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ورا واﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺪام “A HAND IN FRONT AND A HAND BEHIND” ???? “CAME EMPTY HANDED” “HIS HAND IS (TIGHTLY CLOSED” • أﻳﺪﻩ ﻣﺎﺳﻜﺔ Closefisted. a polite way for saying stingy. Not hospitable and not generous. “HIS HAND IS STAINED WITH .• أﻳﺪﻩ ﻣﻠﻄﺨﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺪم BLOOD” Used to describe a murderer or guilty person. “MY HAND IN YOUR BELT” • أﻳﺪي ﺑﺰﻧﺎرك I beg you, I appeal to you, please. “HAND WITH HAND"” together. • أﻳﺪي و أﻳﺪك "HAND IN HAND" “IT TAKES THE MIND!” • ﺑﻴﺎﺧﺪ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ= ﺑﻴﺠﻨﻦ “IT MAKES CRAZY” Astonishing, amazing or wonderful. “HE (SHE) BEATS IN (ON) THE .• ﺑﻴﻀﺮﺑﻬﺎ ﺷﻤﺎل ﺑﺘﺠﻲ ﻳﻤﻴﻦ RIGHT AND IT COMES (FROM) THE ﻣﺴﻜﻴﻦ أﺣﻤﺪ ﻣﺎ هﻮ ﻣﺤﻈﻮظ، ﺑﻴﻀﺮﺑﻬﺎ ﺷﻤﺎل ﺑﺘﺠﻲ LEFT” ﻳﻤﻴﻦ Used to describe an unlucky person who's trying hopelessly and you want to cheer them up by saying: hey! Life’s opportunities can be very elusive. “TAKE FACE” .• أﺧﺪ وﺟﻪ To be familiar or overly familiar with. .ﺑﻌﺪ ﺗﺎﻟﺖ زﻳﺎرة أﺧﺪ وﺟﻪ وﺻﺎر ﻳﺤﻜﻲ وﻳﻤﺰح ﻣﻌﻨﺎ Used to describe social relations where one allows himself the liberty of acting informally. Has a negative sense of someone overstepping social boundaries. 17
- 18. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS “HIS HAND AND THE BEATING” • أﻳﺪﻩ و اﻟﻀﺮب Used to describe a violent and harsh person who likes to fight. Can be used seriously or jokingly. “SON (DAUGHTER) OF .● اﺑﻦ ﺣﻼل RIGHTEOUSNESS” A good, helpful, generous person. 18
- 19. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "FATHER FROM GRANDFATHER" • أﺑﺎ ﻋﻦ ﺟﺪ ً Inherited or deeply rooted in the family. "IN THE BLOOD" "KEEP REASSURING US" • اﺑﻘﻰ ﻃﻤ ّﺎ ّﻨ Then keep us informed. Used when someone is leaving and you want him to stay in touch. "HEAVIER THAN THE WORRY ON • أﺗﻘﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻬﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻘﻠﺐ ّ THE HEART" Boring or annoying. "IT CAME ON HIS (MY) MIND" • اﺟﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻪ = ﺟﺎي ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ To occur, comes to one’s mind or remember. To feel like or fancy something. "IT OCCURRED TO ME" “WE WERE CONFUSED O BOLD • اﺣﺘﺮﻧﺎ ﻳﺎ أﻗﺮع ﻣﻨﻴﻦ ﻧﻤﺸﻄﻚ ONE WHERE TO COMB YOU". You are bold”, means it is hard to understand you or make you happy. "IT IS BEST FOR YOU" • أﺣﺴﻦ ﻟﻚ It is better for you (warning or advice) "IT IS BEST TO" • أﺣﺴﻦ ﻣﺎ = أﺣﺴﻦ ﻟﻚ "THE BOWMEN AND THE NOBLES • اﺧﺘﻠﻂ اﻟﺤﺎﺑﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻨﺎﺑﻞ GOT MIXED UP" “When fighters (archers or bowmen) mix and leave their positions in the battle” it is a total mess. "YOU EMBARRASSED MY • أﺧﺠﻠﺖ ﺗﻮاﺿﻌﻲ MODESTY" To be embarrassed because some one’s praise. "HE TOOK HIS GLORY" • أﺧﺬ ﻣﺠﺪﻩ To enjoy a good time. "AN EAR OF CLAY AND AN EAR OF • ادن )اذن/دان( ﻣﻦ ﻃﻴﻦ وادن ﻣﻦ ﻋﺠﻴﻦ DOUGH" To be indifferent, not listen or care. "IF THE FOOD IS NOT HIS, HIS • إذا اﻷآﻞ ﻣﻮ اﻟﻪ ﺑﻄﻨﻪ ﻣﻮاﻟﻪ STOMACH IS NOT HIS?" “How can he/you eat like this” used to criticize someone when eating too much, 19
- 20. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS too fast or without manners. "IF THE JUDGE IS SATISFIED" !• إذا اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ راﺿﻲ “Keep away please” used to push aside an intruder, or when you don’t want to interfere or get involved. إذا اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ راﺿﻲ • اذا اﻧﺎ راﺿﻲ وهﻮ راﺿﻲ ﻣﺎﻟﻨﺎ وﻣﺎل اﻟﻘﺎﺿﻲ "IF OUR COOK IS (NAMED) JAEES, • إذا ﻃﺒﺎﺧﻨﺎ ﺟﻌﻴﺺ ﺷﺒﻌﻨﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺔ WE'LL GET A LOT OF SOUP" An expression used to criticize the one who prepares food in a poor way. Said in jest. "IF I TELL HER TO DIES, SHE DIES; • إذا ﻗﻠﺖ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻣﻮﺗﻲ ﺑﺘﻤﻮت، ﻋﻴﺸﻲ ﺑﺘﻌﻴﺶ IF I TELL HER TO LIVE, SHE LIVES" This expression indicates total faith and obedience to someone. e.g.My young son did everything I wanted him to do without arguing when he was young. " IF I DID NOT MAKE YOU REGRET" (• إذا ﻣﺎ ﺧﻠﻴﺘﻚ ﺗﻨﺪم )ﻣﺎ ﺑﻜﻮن You will regret it. A threat. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS" “KEEP THE DONKEY WHERE HIS • ارﺑﻂ اﻟﺤﻤﺎر ﻣﻄﺮح ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻩ ﺻﺎﺣﺒﻪ OWNER WANTS". Don't bother giving your advice if it is not appreciated. "BE MERCIFUL WITH AN • ارﺣﻤﻮا ﻋﺰﻳﺰ ﻗﻮم ُل ٍذ HONORABLE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN HUMBLED" Please help me. I am not a beggar. "GOD'S LAND IS VAST" • أرض اﷲ واﺳﻌﺔ The world is so big and I can go anywhere. Used when one can not live or stay in a certain place anymore, and he is hopeful to find another place. E.G a divorced woman or A fired worker. "THEY RECEIVED HIM WITH A • اﺳﺘﻘﺒﻠﻪ ﺑﺎﻷﺣﻀﺎن HUG" To be received warmly. "THEY RECEIVED HIM WITH A • اﺳﺘﻘﺒﻠﻮﻩ اﺳﺘﻘﺒﺎل اﻷﺑﻄﺎل HERO'S WELCOME" To be received like a hero. 20
- 21. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "LISTEN TO THIS!" !• اﺳﻤﻌﻮا ﻋﻠﻰ هﺎﻟﺴﻤﻌﺔ “listen to this” sarcastic expression used to show disapproval and surprise. "SHAPES AND COLORS" • أﺷﻜﺎل أﻟﻮان Many kinds. A variety of. "HE HIT (HIS MIND) FULLY" • أﻃﺮق ﻣﻠﻴﺎ ً To think deeply. Wr. “I TAUGHT HOM HOW TO SHOOT, • اﻋﻠﻤﻪ اﻟﺮﻣﺎﻳﺔ آﻞ ﻳﻮم ﻓﻠﻢ اﺷﺘﺪ ﺳﺎﻋﺪﻩ ُ ﱠ ٍ BUT AFTER HE LEARNED, HE رﻣﺎﻧﻲ SHOT ME” used when you help some until he’s capable, then he turns against you. This expression encourages loyalty. "RIDE THE BIGGEST HORSES YOU • أﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺎ ﺑﺨﻴﻠﻚ ارآﺒﻪ= ﺑّﻂ اﻟﺒﺤﺮ ﻠ HAVE" A threat from an opponent tthat you don’t fear. "DO YOUR WORST" "HIS STAR FADED" • أﻓﻞ ﻧﺠﻤﻪ * ﺳﻄﻊ ﻧﺠﻤﻪ Said when one’s fame or reputation fades away. To not longer be popular. Wr. “CUT THE CAT'S HEAD ON THE • اﻗﻄﻊ راس اﻟﻘﻂ ﻣﻦ أول ﻟﻴﻠﺔ WEDDING NIGHT", means you should prove your manhood from the beginning”. Used when diuscussing a problem between a man and his wife. Used to criticize somneon for being too soft or lenient. Real or sarcastic. "THE LEAST ONE OF THEM" • أﻗﻞ واﺣﺪ ﻓﻴﻬﻦ “The weakest one” means a group that one has to take seriously. (They are so strong that even the weakest of them is to be feared. "CROWN OF GARLAND • أآﺎﻟﻴﻞ اﻟﻐﺎر= ﻣﻜّﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺎر ﻠ Symbol of glory. The Garland (plant) crown used in medeaval time to celebrate a hero often returning from victorious war. "HE ATE THE GREEN AND THE • أآﻞ اﻷﺧﻀﺮ واﻟﻴﺎﺑﺲ DRY" To wipe out totally. To be greedy and 21
- 22. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS merciless. 22
- 23. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "HE ATE (TOOK) A HIT" • أآﻞ ﺿﺮﺑﺔ "To take or receive a hit (physical metaphorical). "HE ATE THE CONCERN" • أآﻞ هﻢ To be worried or deeply concerned. "HE ATE AIR" • أآﻞ هﻮا To be screwed up, or suffer big loss or failure. It is the soft version of an expression that uses a bad word. "IT ATE TIME" • أآﻞ وﻗﺖ To take or consume time. "HE ATE MY FLSEH AND THREW • أآﻠﻨﻲ ﻟﺤﻢ ورﻣﺎﻧﻲ ﻋﻈﻢ AWAY MY BONES" This expression is used when somebody is abandoned or discharged after many years of service or being together. "HE ATE IT (AIR)" • أآﻠﻬﺎ = أآﻞ هﻮا "HE GAVE A WORD" • أﻟﻘﻰ آﻠﻤﺔ To give a speech. "THE COMMANDER AND THE • اﻵﻣﺮ اﻟﻨﺎهﻲ FORBIDDER" The only who can decide (in this matter). "YOU SEW AND WE'LL WEAR IT" • اﻧﺖ ﻓﺼﻞ وﻧﺤﻨﺎ ﻣﻨﻠﺒﺲ I’ll do whatever you want. You decide. "MY SOUL WAS BLOCKED" • اﻧﺴﺪت ﻧﻔﺴﻲ Used when you lose appetite after hearing bad news or when a problem arises. "MY MIND WAS OCCUPIED" "MY • اﻧﺸﻐﻞ ﺑﺎﻟﻲ = ﺑﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺸﻐﻮل MIND WAS BUSY" To be worried or deeply concerned. "HE SAT IN THE SHADOW OF THE • اﻧﻀﻮى ﺗﺤﺖ ﻟﻮاء FLAG" To join a group, philosophy or a certain movement. Wr. "IT WAS OPENED ON ME" • اﻧﻔﺘﺢ ﻋﻠﻲ To receive unexpectedly strong reaction, usually followed by an argument. "THEY LET ME HAVE IT" "THE ROADS WERE CUT" • اﻧﻘﻄﻌﺖ ﺑﻪ اﻟﺴﺒﻞ To be stranded. Wr. 23
- 24. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS “HIS MAGIC HAS TURNED AGAINST • اﻧﻘﻠﺐ اﻟﺴﺤﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﺮ HIM”, His evil is being used against him. "HE DUG HIS OWN GRAVE" “HIS DAYS ARE NUMBERED” It will • أﻳﺎﻣﻪ ﻣﻌﺪودة be finished, dead, or ruined soon. "MY HAND ON YOUR HEAD" • اﻳﺪي ﻋﻠﻰ راﺳﻚ ﻳﻤ ﻴﻦUsed when someone begs someone to tell him the truth. • اﻳﺪي ﻋﻠﻰ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ "MY HAND IS ON MY HEART" When “you put your hand on your heart” it means you are confused, anxious and insecure, specially when waiting for or doing something without a clue about the results. 24
- 25. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "MY HAND AND MY LEG" (• اﻳﺪي و رﺟﻠﻲ )ﺷﻲ Something that is “my hand and my leg” is what I cannot do without, such as skilful assistant or good equipment. "MY RIGHT HAND" "NO AHEM OR PERMISSION" • ﻻ اﺣﻢ وﻻ دﺳﺘﻮر “Without permission”. اﺣﻢis originally used when a visitor wants to enter a house or another part of the house in case the family is doing something or women want to put their Hijab in front of a stranger. دﺳﺘﻮرand ﻳﺎﷲare used for the same situation. "GOD (HOPEFULLY) DID NOT • اﷲ ﻻ )آﺎن( ﺟﺎب اﻟﻐﻼ BRING HIGH PRICES" You are as unwelcome as raising the prices. A joke and funny expression when a friend or someone comes. • اﷲ ﻳﺨﻠﻖ اﻻﻧﺴﺎن/ﻋﺒﺪﻩ ورزﻗﻪ ﻣﻌﻪ اﺳﻼﻣﻲ "MAY GOD LET US HEAR GOOD • اﷲ ﻳﺴ ّﻌﻨﺎ اﻷﺧﺒﺎر اﻟﻄﻴﺒﺔ ﻤ NEWS" “What news!-did you really do this?” used when some embarrassing news or secrets are revealed. "MAY GOD BREAK YOUR HANDS" • اﷲ ﻳﻜﺴﺮ اﻳﺪﻳﻚ “It is terrible what you have done” used to criticize or blame some one for awkward or stupid way of doing some thing. "MAY GOD MAKE SAEED HAPPY • اﷲ ﻳﻬﻨﻲ ﺳﻌﻴﺪ ﺑﺴﻌﻴﺪة WITH SAEEDA" Those two (friends, relatives or husband and wife) are good or suitable to each other. Used when wishing a couple a good luck or in sarcasm. "MAY GOD GIVE MY SOUL • اﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﻃﻮﻟﻚ ﻳﺎ روح = ﻳﺎ ﺻﺒﺮ أﻳﻮب PATIENCE" = "I NEED THE PATIENCE OF JOB" A complaint used when you are about to be fed up. 25
- 26. The ART OF SPEECH IDIOMS CHAPTER BY HUSSEIN MAXOS "THE BEGINNING IS LIGHT AND • اﻟﻠﻲ أوﻟﻪ ﻧﻮر ﺁﺧﺮﻩ ﻧﻮر THE END IS LIGHT" ﻣﺜﻞ What begins well will end well. If you are clear and honest, things will work out. "HE HAS TWO THIRDS OF HIS • اﻟﻪ ﺗﻠﺘﻴﻦ اﻟﺨﺎﻃﺮ MIND" He is obviously interested or willing. He is leaning towards accepting. "HE HAS AN EYE" !• اﻟﻪ ﻋﻴﻦ “How dare he?” "HE'S GOT GUTS" "HE CASTS HIS SHADOW ON" • ﻳﻠﻘﻲ ﺑﻈﻼﻟﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ To influence. To cast a shadow over something. Translated expression often used in the media. ﺣﺮف اﻟﺒﺎءk Statistics Idioms: 136 Words: 2049 Pages: 7 "WHY IS YOUR ONION BURNED?" • ) ﻟﻴﺶ( ﺑﺼﻠﺘﻚ ﻣﺤﺮوﻗﺔ A rhetorical question to an impatient person. "HOLD YOUR HORSES!" "KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON!" "(A THING THAT) TAKES THE • )ﺷﻲ( ﺑﻴﺎﺧﺪ اﻟﻌﻘﻞ MIND" Amazing, marvelous or astonishing. “A PIECE OF MY MIND FLEW • )ﻃﺎر( ﺑﺮج ﻋﻘﻠﻲ (LEFT)” to be or become very angry or mad. 'IT DOESN’T NEED TWO TO TALK • )ﻣﺎ( ﺑﺪهﺎ ﺗﻨﻴﻦ ﻳﺤﻜﻮ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ABOUT IT" “The matter is so natural that it doesn’t need two people to argue about it” Of course. It's obvious. "THERE ISN'T (MUCH TIME) UNTIL • )ﻣﺎ( ﺑﻘﻰ إﻻ ﻳﺠﻲ HE COMES" He can come any minute. He's on his way. 26
- 27. "(FROM THE) DOOR (CHAPTER) OF • )ﻣﻦ( ﺑﺎب اﻟﻤﺠﺎﻣﻠﺔ POLITNESS" For the sake of (compliment). Being polite. "THE DOOR (IS BIG ENOUGH) FOR A • اﻟﺒﺎب ﺑﻴﻔﻮت ﺟﻤﻞ CAMEL. Used to show someone that if he does not respect the rules he is not welcome. They door swings both ways. Leave if you don't like it. 27