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THE INKLINGO LANGUAGE GUIDES

90 Arabic Idioms and Proverbs

Learn Arabic idioms through the picture behind each expression, its real meaning and an example you could use in conversation. The essential list gets you started; proverbs have their own section because they express a complete piece of advice.

90 entries · Updated

An open storybook beside a small cup and a leafy branch, a welcoming reading scene

Essential 20

  1. بَيْنَ الْمِطْرَقَةِ وَالسِّنْدَانِBetween a rock and a hard place
  2. زَادَ الطِّينَ بِلَّةًMake a bad situation worse
  3. حَفِظَ مَاءَ الْوَجْهِSave face
  4. ذَهَبَ أَدْرَاجَ الرِّيَاحِGo to waste
  5. صَنَعَ مِنَ الْحَبَّةِ قُبَّةًMake a mountain out of a molehill
  6. بَيْنَ لَيْلَةٍ وَضُحَاهَاOvernight; very suddenly
  7. فِي نِهَايَةِ الْمَطَافِIn the end
  8. عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا يُرَامُPerfectly well
  9. عَادَ بِخُفَّيْ حُنَيْنٍReturn empty-handed
  10. بِشِقِّ الْأَنْفُسِWith great difficulty
  11. ثَقِيلُ الدَّمِTedious or tiresome company
  12. ذُو وَجْهَيْنِTwo-faced
  13. أُسْطُوَانَةٌ مَشْرُوخَةٌA broken record
  14. كُلُّ مَنْ هَبَّ وَدَبَّAny and every person
  15. أَبًا عَنْ جَدٍّFor generations
  16. عَاشَ بِوَجْهَيْنِLead a double-faced life
  17. لَعِبَ عَلَى الْحَبْلَيْنِPlay both sides
  18. كَالَ بِمِكْيَالَيْنِApply a double standard
  19. دُونَ أَنْ يَرِفَّ لَهُ جَفْنٌWithout batting an eyelid
  20. جَابَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَاTravel far and wide

Essential Arabic idioms in MSA

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

A hammer and an anvil with a small stone between them
1

بَيْنَ الْمِطْرَقَةِ وَالسِّنْدَانِ

bayna l-miṭraqati wa-s-sindān

Between a rock and a hard place

Literally: Between the hammer and the anvil

Closest English expression: Between a rock and a hard place

MSA; figurative · MSA

In a sentence

أَصْبَحْتُ بَيْنَ الْمِطْرَقَةِ وَالسِّنْدَانِ.
aṣbaḥtu bayna l-miṭraqati wa-s-sindān.I ended up caught between two difficult choices.
A small worried clay figure positioned safely between a blacksmith’s resting hammer and an anvil, neither movingSource note
2

زَادَ الطِّينَ بِلَّةً

zāda ṭ-ṭīna billatan

Make a bad situation worse

Literally: He made the mud wetter

Closest English expression: Make a bad situation worse

MSA; conversational and written · MSA

In a sentence

زَادَ تَأَخُّرُهُ الطِّينَ بِلَّةً.
zāda taʾakhkhuruhu ṭ-ṭīna billatan.His lateness made matters worse.
A person making a muddy puddle deeper by pouring in more waterSource note
3

حَفِظَ مَاءَ الْوَجْهِ

ḥafiẓa māʾa l-wajh

Save face

Literally: He preserved the water of the face

Closest English expression: Save face

MSA; neutral · MSA

In a sentence

حَفِظَ مَاءَ وَجْهِهِ.
ḥafiẓa l-iʿtidhāru māʾa wajhihi.The apology allowed him to save face.
A calm person keeping a small clear bowl of water level while regaining their dignity after a mishapSource note
4

أَدْرَاجَ الرِّيَاحِ

dhahaba adrāja r-riyāḥ

Go to waste

Literally: He went along the paths of the winds

Closest English expression: Go to waste

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

جُهْدُنَا أَدْرَاجَ الرِّيَاحِ.
dhahaba juhdunā adrāja r-riyāḥ.Our effort went to waste.
A gust of wind carrying blank loose papers away from an empty work basket, effort dispersingSource note
5

صَنَعَ مِنَ الْحَبَّةِ قُبَّةً

ṣanaʿa mina l-ḥabbati qubbatan

Make a mountain out of a molehill

Literally: He made a dome out of a grain

Closest English expression: Make a mountain out of a molehill

MSA; conversational · MSA

In a sentence

لَا تَصْنَعْ مِنَ الْحَبَّةِ قُبَّةً.
lā taṣnaʿ mina l-ḥabbati qubbatan.Do not turn a tiny matter into a huge problem.
A single tiny grain beside an absurdly oversized smooth dome-shaped mound, exaggeration shown through scaleSource note
6

بَيْنَ وَضُحَاهَا

bayna laylatin wa-ḍuḥāhā

Overnight; very suddenly

Literally: Between a night and its morning

Closest English expression: Overnight; very suddenly

MSA; neutral · MSA

In a sentence

تَغَيَّرَ بَيْنَ لَيْلَةٍ وَضُحَاهَا.
taghayyara l-waḍʿu bayna laylatin wa-ḍuḥāhā.The situation changed overnight.
A small plant transformed from a bud beneath a moon to an open flower beneath a morning sunSource note
7

فِي نِهَايَةِ الْمَطَافِ

fī nihāyati l-maṭāf

In the end

Literally: At the end of the circuit

Closest English expression: In the end

MSA; common written expression · MSA

In a sentence

نَجَحْنَا فِي نِهَايَةِ الْمَطَافِ.
najaḥnā fī nihāyati l-maṭāf.We succeeded in the end.
A traveler arriving at the end of a circular garden path, a small open gate marking completionSource note
8

عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا يُرَامُ

ʿalā khayri mā yurām

Perfectly well

Literally: In the best state that is desired

Closest English expression: Perfectly well

MSA; neutral · MSA

In a sentence

سَارَتِ الرِّحْلَةُ عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا يُرَامُ.
sārati r-riḥlatu ʿalā khayri mā yurām.The trip went perfectly well.
A neatly packed travel bag, an upright healthy plant and a smoothly turning small wheel, everything working wellSource note
9

عَادَ بِخُفَّيْ حُنَيْنٍ

ʿāda bi-khuffay Ḥunayn

Return empty-handed

Literally: He returned with Hunayn’s two slippers

Closest English expression: Return empty-handed

MSA; traditional literary idiom · MSA

In a sentence

بَحَثَ عَنْ عَمَلٍ وَعَادَ بِخُفَّيْ حُنَيْنٍ.
baḥatha ʿan ʿamalin wa-ʿāda bi-khuffay Ḥunayn.He looked for work and returned empty-handed.
An empty-handed traveler holding only two traditional soft leather slippers, no goods in the empty basket beside themSource note
10

بِشِقِّ الْأَنْفُسِ

bi-shiqqi l-anfus

With great difficulty

Literally: With the hardship of souls

Closest English expression: With great difficulty

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

وَصَلْنَا إِلَى الْقِمَّةِ بِشِقِّ الْأَنْفُسِ.
waṣalnā ilā l-qimmati bi-shiqqi l-anfus.We reached the summit with great difficulty.
A tired climber carefully taking the last step up a steep small hill with visible effortSource note

Explore these words: Directions & position (flashcards) · Greetings & polite phrases · Time & dates (flashcards)

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Read Arabic stories

Arabic idioms describing people

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

Two theatrical masks beside a feather and a stone
11

الدَّمِ

thaqīlu d-dam

Tedious or tiresome company

Literally: Heavy of blood

Closest English expression: Tedious or tiresome company

MSA form; blunt criticism; dialect pronunciations differ · MSA

In a sentence

هُوَ ثَقِيلُ الدَّمِ، وَلَا أَسْتَمْتِعُ بِحَدِيثِهِ.
huwa thaqīlu d-dam, wa-lā astamtiʿu bi-ḥadīthihi.He is tiresome, and I do not enjoy his conversation.
A weary listener slumping beside a relentlessly talking companion, a small heavy red glass ornament resting on the speaker’s chairSource note
12

ذُو وَجْهَيْنِ

dhū wajhayn

Two-faced

Literally: Having two faces

Closest English expression: Two-faced

MSA; accusatory · MSA

In a sentence

اِحْذَرْ مِنْهُ؛ فَهُوَ ذُو وَجْهَيْنِ.
iḥdhar minhu; fa-huwa dhū wajhayn.Be careful of him; he is two-faced.
One theatrical mask with two different faces turned in opposite directions, suggesting insinceritySource note
13

أُسْطُوَانَةٌ مَشْرُوخَةٌ

usṭuwānatun mashrūkha

A broken record

Literally: A cracked record

Closest English expression: A broken record

MSA; critical · MSA

In a sentence

يُكَرِّرُ الْعُذْرَ نَفْسَهُ كَأُسْطُوَانَةٍ مَشْرُوخَةٍ.
yukarriru l-ʿudhra nafsahu ka-usṭuwānatin mashrūkha.He repeats the same excuse like a broken record.
A cracked vinyl record on a simple turntable with its needle stuck in one groove, no label or letteringSource note
14

كُلُّ مَنْ هَبَّ وَدَبَّ

kullu man habba wa-dabb

Any and every person

Literally: Everyone who stirred and moved

Closest English expression: Any and every person

MSA; mildly dismissive · MSA

In a sentence

لَا تُعْطِ مِفْتَاحَكَ لِكُلِّ مَنْ هَبَّ وَدَبَّ.
lā tuʿṭi miftāḥaka li-kulli man habba wa-dabb.Do not give your key to just anyone.
A lively mixed group of passersby moving in different directions around an open doorway, any and every personSource note
15

أَبًا عَنْ جَدٍّ

aban ʿan jadd

For generations

Literally: From father to grandfather

Closest English expression: For generations

MSA; traditional · MSA

In a sentence

وَرِثْنَا هَذِهِ الْحِرْفَةَ أَبًا عَنْ جَدٍّ.
warithnā hādhihi l-ḥirfata aban ʿan jadd.We inherited this craft through generations.
Three generations of a family passing the same small handmade wooden tool from oldest to youngestSource note
16

عَاشَ بِوَجْهَيْنِ

ʿāsha bi-wajhayn

Lead a double-faced life

Literally: He lived with two faces

Closest English expression: Lead a double-faced life

MSA; disapproving · MSA

In a sentence

عَاشَ بِوَجْهَيْنِ حَتَّى كَشَفَ الْجَمِيعُ خِدَاعَهُ.
ʿāsha bi-wajhayn ḥattā kashafa l-jamīʿu khidāʿahu.He lived a double-faced life until everyone discovered his deceit.
A person holding two contrasting theater masks, one before each side of their face, a divided public appearanceSource note
17

لَعِبَ عَلَى الْحَبْلَيْنِ

laʿiba ʿalā l-ḥablayn

Play both sides

Literally: He played on two ropes

Closest English expression: Play both sides

MSA; disapproving · MSA

In a sentence

لَا عَلَى الْحَبْلَيْنِ؛ كُنْ وَاضِحًا.
lā talʿab ʿalā l-ḥablayn; kun wāḍiḥan.Do not play both sides; be clear about your position.
A careful acrobat balancing between two parallel ropes, trying to keep a foot on bothSource note
18

كَالَ بِمِكْيَالَيْنِ

kāla bi-mikyālayn

Apply a double standard

Literally: He measured with two measures

Closest English expression: Apply a double standard

MSA; critical · MSA

In a sentence

يَكِيلُ بِمِكْيَالَيْنِ عِنْدَ تَقْيِيمِ .
yakīlu l-mudīru bi-mikyālayni ʿinda taqyīmi l-muwaẓẓafīn.The manager applies a double standard in assessing employees.
Two unequal measuring scoops beside equal piles of grain, an unfair double standard made visibleSource note
19

دُونَ أَنْ يَرِفَّ لَهُ جَفْنٌ

dūna an yariffa lahu jafn

Without batting an eyelid

Literally: Without an eyelid fluttering

Closest English expression: Without batting an eyelid

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

كَذَبَ دُونَ أَنْ يَرِفَّ لَهُ جَفْنٌ.
kadhaba dūna an yariffa lahu jafn.He lied without batting an eyelid.
A calm face with one steady open eye beside a small obvious false prop, an unwavering expression without a blinkSource note
20

جَابَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا

jāba mashāriqa l-arḍi wa-maghāribahā

Travel far and wide

Literally: He roamed the earth’s easts and wests

Closest English expression: Travel far and wide

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

جَابَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا طَلَبًا لِلْعِلْمِ.
jāba mashāriqa l-arḍi wa-maghāribahā ṭalaban li-l-ʿilm.He travelled far and wide in search of knowledge.
A traveler with a small globe, footprints curving from a rising sun on one side to a setting sun on the otherSource note

Explore these words: Jobs & work (flashcards) · Quantities & measurements (flashcards) · Sports & fitness (flashcards)

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Arabic idioms about effort and results

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

A person rolling up their sleeves beside a millstone
21

شَمَّرَ عَنْ سَاعِدِ الْجِدِّ

shammara ʿan sāʿidi l-jidd

Roll up your sleeves and get to work

Literally: He bared the forearm of earnestness

Closest English expression: Roll up your sleeves and get to work

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

شَمَّرْنَا عَنْ سَاعِدِ الْجِدِّ وَبَدَأْنَا.
shammarnā ʿan sāʿidi l-jiddi wa-badaʾnā.We rolled up our sleeves and began.
Source note
22

شَدَّ الْعَضُدَ

shadda l-ʿaḍud

Give support

Literally: He strengthened the upper arm

Closest English expression: Give support

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

شَدَّ صَدِيقِي عَضُدِي فِي الْمِحْنَةِ.
shadda ṣadīqī ʿaḍudī fī l-miḥna.My friend supported me through the ordeal.
Source note
23

جَعْجَعَةٌ بِلَا

jaʿjaʿatun bi-lā ṭaḥn

All talk and no results

Literally: Mill noise without grinding

Closest English expression: All talk and no results

MSA; disapproving · MSA

In a sentence

وُعُودُهُ جَعْجَعَةٌ بِلَا طَحْنٍ.
wuʿūduhu jaʿjaʿatun bi-lā ṭaḥn.His promises are all talk and no results.
Source note
24

حَارَبَ طَوَاحِينَ الْهَوَاءِ

ḥāraba ṭawāḥīna l-hawāʾ

Fight imaginary enemies

Literally: He fought windmills

Closest English expression: Fight imaginary enemies

MSA; literary allusion to Don Quixote · MSA

In a sentence

إِنَّهُ يُحَارِبُ طَوَاحِينَ الْهَوَاءِ بِهَذِهِ الاِتِّهَامَاتِ.
innahu yuḥāribu ṭawāḥīna l-hawāʾi bi-hādhihi l-ittihāmāt.With these accusations he is fighting imaginary enemies.
Source note
25

خَبَطَ خَبْطَ عَشْوَاءَ

khabaṭa khabṭa ʿashwāʾ

Act blindly without a plan

Literally: He stumbled like a poorly sighted she-camel

Closest English expression: Act blindly without a plan

MSA; critical · MSA

In a sentence

مِنْ دُونِ نَخْبِطُ خَبْطَ عَشْوَاءَ.
min dūni khuṭṭatin nakhbiṭu khabṭa ʿashwāʾ.Without a plan we act blindly.
Source note
26

كَشَفَ النِّقَابَ

kashafa n-niqāb

Reveal something hidden

Literally: He lifted the veil

Closest English expression: Reveal something hidden

MSA; common in reporting · MSA

In a sentence

كَشَفَ النِّقَابَ عَنِ .
kashafa t-taḥqīqu n-niqāba ʿani l-ḥaqīqa.The investigation uncovered the truth.
Source note
27

اِبْتَلَعَ الطُّعْمَ

ibtalaʿa ṭ-ṭuʿm

Fall for a trick

Literally: He swallowed the bait

Closest English expression: Fall for a trick

MSA; figurative · MSA

In a sentence

اِبْتَلَعَ الطُّعْمَ وَصَدَّقَ الْمُزَيَّفَةَ.
ibtalaʿa ṭ-ṭuʿma wa-ṣaddaqa r-risālata l-muzayyafa.He took the bait and believed the fake message.
Source note
28

أَتْخَمَ

atkhama s-sūq

Flood the market

Literally: He overfed the market

Closest English expression: Flood the market

MSA; business metaphor · MSA

In a sentence

أَتْخَمَتِ الشَّرِكَةُ بِالْمُنْتَجَاتِ.
atkhamati sh-sharikatu s-sūqa bi-l-muntajāt.The company flooded the market with products.
Source note
29

أَرْضِيَّةٌ مُلَائِمَةٌ

arḍiyyatun mulāʾima

Fertile ground for something

Literally: A suitable ground

Closest English expression: Fertile ground for something

MSA; formal metaphor · MSA

In a sentence

وَفَّرَ الْحِوَارُ أَرْضِيَّةً مُلَائِمَةً لِلتَّعَاوُنِ.
waffara l-ḥiwāru arḍiyyatan mulāʾimatan li-t-taʿāwun.The discussion created fertile ground for cooperation.
Source note
30

لَعِبَ دَوْرًا

laʿiba dawran

Play a part

Literally: He played a role

Closest English expression: Play a part

MSA; common figurative collocation · MSA

In a sentence

لَعِبَتِ الْقِرَاءَةُ دَوْرًا مُهِمًّا فِي تَعَلُّمِي.
laʿibati l-qirāʾatu dawran muhimman fī taʿallumī.Reading played an important part in my learning.
Source note

Explore these words: Shopping (flashcards) · City & places (flashcards) · Food & cooking (flashcards)

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Arabic idioms for difficult situations

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

An overflowing measuring cup beside a small straw bundle
31

طَفَحَ الْكَيْلُ

ṭafaḥa l-kayl

Enough is enough

Literally: The measure overflowed

Closest English expression: Enough is enough

MSA; emphatic · MSA

In a sentence

طَفَحَ الْكَيْلُ بَعْدَ هَذَا التَّأْخِيرِ.
ṭafaḥa l-kaylu baʿda hādhā t-taʾkhīr.After this delay, enough is enough.
Source note
32

بَلَغَ السَّيْلُ الزُّبَى

balagha s-saylu z-zubā

Things have gone beyond the limit

Literally: The flood reached the high ground

Closest English expression: Things have gone beyond the limit

MSA; traditional expressive idiom · MSA

In a sentence

بَلَغَ السَّيْلُ الزُّبَى؛ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ .
balagha s-saylu z-zubā; lā budda min ḥall.Things have gone too far; a solution is needed.
Source note
33

الْقَشَّةُ الَّتِي قَصَمَتْ الْبَعِيرِ

al-qashshatu llatī qaṣamat ẓahra l-baʿīr

The last straw

Literally: The straw that broke the camel’s back

Closest English expression: The last straw

MSA; neutral · MSA

In a sentence

كَانَ الْكَذِبُ الْقَشَّةَ الَّتِي قَصَمَتْ ظَهْرَ الْبَعِيرِ.
kāna l-kadhibu l-qashshata llatī qaṣamat ẓahra l-baʿīr.The lie was the last straw.
Source note
34

خِيَارَانِ أَحْلَاهُمَا مُرٌّ

khiyārāni aḥlāhumā murr

Two equally unpleasant options

Literally: Two choices, the sweeter of which is bitter

Closest English expression: Two equally unpleasant options

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

أَمَامَنَا خِيَارَانِ أَحْلَاهُمَا مُرٌّ.
amāmanā khiyārāni aḥlāhumā murr.We face two unpleasant options.
Source note
35

اِسْتَجَارَ مِنَ الرَّمْضَاءِ بِالنَّارِ

istajāra mina r-ramḍāʾi bi-n-nār

Escape one danger by entering a worse one

Literally: He sought refuge from scorching ground in fire

Closest English expression: Escape one danger by entering a worse one

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

اِسْتَجَارَ مِنَ الرَّمْضَاءِ بِالنَّارِ حِينَ ذَلِكَ الْعَرْضَ.
istajāra mina r-ramḍāʾi bi-n-nāri ḥīna qabila dhālika l-ʿarḍ.Accepting that offer took him from one danger into a worse one.
Source note
36

ذَرَّ الْمِلْحَ عَلَى

dharra l-milḥa ʿalā l-jurḥ

Rub salt in the wound

Literally: He sprinkled salt on the wound

Closest English expression: Rub salt in the wound

MSA; figurative · MSA

In a sentence

لَا تَذُرَّ الْمِلْحَ عَلَى بِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ.
lā tadhurra l-milḥa ʿalā l-jurḥi bi-hādhā l-kalām.Do not rub salt in the wound with those words.
Source note
37

بَيْنَ شِقَّيِ الرَّحَى

bayna shiqqayi r-raḥā

Caught between crushing pressures

Literally: Between the two halves of the millstone

Closest English expression: Caught between crushing pressures

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

نَفْسَهُ بَيْنَ شِقَّيِ الرَّحَى.
wajada nafsahu bayna shiqqayi r-raḥā.He found himself caught between crushing pressures.
Source note
38

بَيْنَ فَكَّيِ الْكَمَّاشَةِ

bayna fakkayi l-kammāsha

Trapped in a pincer grip

Literally: Between the jaws of the pincers

Closest English expression: Trapped in a pincer grip

MSA; figurative · MSA

In a sentence

بَيْنَ فَكَّيِ الْكَمَّاشَةِ.
aṣbaḥa l-farīqu bayna fakkayi l-kammāsha.The team became trapped in a pincer grip.
Source note
39

أَتَى عَلَى الْأَخْضَرِ وَالْيَابِسِ

atā ʿalā l-akhḍari wa-l-yābis

Destroy everything

Literally: He consumed the green and the dry

Closest English expression: Destroy everything

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

أَتَى عَلَى الْأَخْضَرِ وَالْيَابِسِ.
atā l-ḥarīqu ʿalā l-akhḍari wa-l-yābis.The fire destroyed everything.
Source note
40

لَا نَاقَةَ لَهُ فِيهِ وَلَا

lā nāqata lahu fīhi wa-lā jamal

Have no stake in the matter

Literally: He has neither a she-camel nor a camel in it

Closest English expression: Have no stake in the matter

MSA; traditional · MSA

In a sentence

لَا نَاقَةَ لِي فِي هَذَا الْخِلَافِ وَلَا جَمَلٌ.
lā nāqata lī fī hādhā l-khilāfi wa-lā jamal.I have no stake in this dispute.
Source note

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Arabic idioms for emotion and expression

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

A heart-shaped ornament beside a small mirror
41

بَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ

balaghati l-qulūbu l-ḥanājir

Be terrified

Literally: The hearts reached the throats

Closest English expression: Be terrified

MSA; Qur’anic-origin literary image · MSA

In a sentence

بَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ عِنْدَ سَمَاعِ الاِنْفِجَارِ.
balaghati l-qulūbu l-ḥanājira ʿinda samāʿi l-infijār.Everyone was terrified when the explosion was heard.
Source note
42

جُنَّ جُنُونًا

junna junūnan

Go wild with emotion

Literally: He became mad with madness

Closest English expression: Go wild with emotion

MSA; figurative; not a clinical description · MSA

In a sentence

جُنَّ جُنُونًا مِنَ الْفَرَحِ.
junna l-jumhūru junūnan mina l-faraḥ.The crowd went wild with joy.
Source note
43

الثَّكْلَى

aḍḥaka th-thaklā

Be extraordinarily funny or absurd

Literally: He made a bereaved mother laugh

Closest English expression: Be extraordinarily funny or absurd

MSA; strong traditional hyperbole · MSA

In a sentence

كَانَ عُذْرُهُ مِمَّا يُضْحِكُ الثَّكْلَى.
kāna ʿudhruhu mimmā yuḍḥiku th-thaklā.His excuse was absurd enough to make even the grief-stricken laugh.
Source note
44

لَا فُضَّ فُوكَ

lā fuḍḍa fūka

May you speak eloquently for a long time

Literally: May your mouth not be broken

Closest English expression: May you speak eloquently for a long time

MSA; literary praise, masculine address · MSA

In a sentence

أَحْسَنْتَ الْقَوْلَ، لَا فُضَّ فُوكَ.
aḥsanta l-qawla, lā fuḍḍa fūka.Well said; may your eloquence last.
Source note
45

لَيْتَ شِعْرِي

layta shiʿrī

I wish I knew

Literally: If only my knowledge were available

Closest English expression: I wish I knew

Classical and literary; not casual dialect · MSA

In a sentence

لَيْتَ شِعْرِي مَتَى يَعُودُ.
layta shiʿrī matā yaʿūd.I wish I knew when he will return.
Source note
46

أَكَلَ الدَّهْرُ عَلَيْهِ وَشَرِبَ

akala d-dahru ʿalayhi wa-sharib

Be thoroughly worn out or outdated

Literally: Time ate and drank over it

Closest English expression: Be thoroughly worn out or outdated

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

هَذَا أَكَلَ الدَّهْرُ عَلَيْهِ وَشَرِبَ.
hādhā jihāzun akala d-dahru ʿalayhi wa-sharib.This device is completely outdated.
Source note
47

بِأَبْهَى حُلَّةٍ

bi-abhā ḥulla

In its finest appearance

Literally: In the most splendid garment

Closest English expression: In its finest appearance

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

ظَهَرَتِ بِأَبْهَى حُلَّةٍ فِي .
ẓaharati l-ḥadīqatu bi-abhā ḥullatin fī r-rabīʿ.The garden looked its finest in spring.
Source note
48

عَلَى مَرْأًى وَمَسْمَعٍ

ʿalā marʾan wa-masmaʿ

In full view

Literally: Within sight and hearing

Closest English expression: In full view

MSA; formal · MSA

In a sentence

حَدَثَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَرْأًى وَمَسْمَعٍ مِنَ الْجَمِيعِ.
ḥadatha dhālika ʿalā marʾan wa-masmaʿin mina l-jamīʿ.It happened in full view of everyone.
Source note
49

قِيدَ شَعْرَةٍ

qīda shaʿra

A hair’s breadth

Literally: The measure of one hair

Closest English expression: A hair’s breadth

MSA; emphatic · MSA

In a sentence

لَمْ يَتَرَاجَعْ عَنْ رَأْيِهِ قِيدَ شَعْرَةٍ.
lam yatarājaʿ ʿan raʾyihi qīda shaʿra.He did not retreat from his opinion by a hair’s breadth.
Source note
50

إِبْرَةٌ فِي كُومَةِ قَشٍّ

ibratun fī kūmati qashsh

Something very hard to find

Literally: A needle in a haystack

Closest English expression: Something very hard to find

MSA; familiar comparison · MSA

In a sentence

الْبَحْثُ عَنْهُ كَالْبَحْثِ عَنْ إِبْرَةٍ فِي كُومَةِ قَشٍّ.
al-baḥthu ʿanhu ka-l-baḥthi ʿan ibratin fī kūmati qashsh.Looking for it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Source note

Explore these words: Emotions & feelings (flashcards) · Technology & phones (flashcards) · Seasons & celebrations (flashcards)

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Arabic idioms of action and consequence

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

Footprints turning back beside a small path
51

أَدْرَاجَهُ

ʿāda adrājahu

Retrace your steps

Literally: He returned along his steps

Closest English expression: Retrace your steps

MSA; neutral · MSA

In a sentence

لَمْ يَجِدِ فَعَادَ أَدْرَاجَهُ.
lam yajidi l-ʿunwāna fa-ʿāda adrājahu.He could not find the address, so he retraced his steps.
Source note
52

اِرْتَدَّ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ

irtadda ʿalā ʿaqibayhi

Turn back or abandon a position

Literally: He turned back on his heels

Closest English expression: Turn back or abandon a position

MSA; literary · MSA

In a sentence

اِرْتَدَّ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ عِنْدَمَا رَأَى .
irtadda ʿalā ʿaqibayhi ʿindamā raʾā l-khaṭar.He turned back when he saw the danger.
Source note
53

عَالِيَ الشَّيْءِ سَافِلَهُ

jaʿala ʿāliya sh-shayʾi sāfilahu

Turn something upside down

Literally: He made the upper part of a thing its lower part

Closest English expression: Turn something upside down

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

جَعَلَ عَالِيَ الْغُرْفَةِ سَافِلَهَا بَحْثًا عَنِ الْمِفْتَاحِ.
jaʿala ʿāliya l-ghurfati sāfilahā baḥthan ʿani l-miftāḥ.He turned the room upside down looking for the key.
Source note
54

صَالَ وَجَالَ

ṣāla wa-jāl

Range freely and energetically

Literally: He charged and roamed

Closest English expression: Range freely and energetically

MSA; expressive · MSA

In a sentence

صَالَ وَجَالَ فِي النِّقَاشِ.
ṣāla wa-jāla fī n-niqāsh.He ranged energetically across the discussion.
Source note
55

بَسَطَ يَدَهُ

basaṭa yadahu

Extend help or generosity

Literally: He stretched out his hand

Closest English expression: Extend help or generosity

MSA; meaning depends on complement; can also refer to force · MSA

In a sentence

بَسَطَ يَدَهُ بِالْعَطَاءِ لِلْمُحْتَاجِينَ.
basaṭa yadahu bi-l-ʿaṭāʾi li-l-muḥtājīn.He generously gave to people in need.
Source note
56

بِحَذَافِيرِهِ

bi-ḥadhāfīrihi

In its entirety

Literally: With all its parts

Closest English expression: In its entirety

MSA; emphatic · MSA

In a sentence

نَفَّذْنَا الاِتِّفَاقَ بِحَذَافِيرِهِ.
naffadhnā l-ittifāqa bi-ḥadhāfīrihi.We carried out the agreement in its entirety.
Source note
57

مِنَ الْمَهْدِ إِلَى اللَّحْدِ

mina l-mahdi ilā l-laḥd

Throughout a lifetime

Literally: From cradle to grave

Closest English expression: Throughout a lifetime

MSA; proverbial phrase; not attributed as a hadith · MSA

In a sentence

التَّعَلُّمُ مِنَ الْمَهْدِ إِلَى اللَّحْدِ.
yastamirru t-taʿallumu mina l-mahdi ilā l-laḥd.Learning continues throughout a lifetime.
Source note
58

قَضَى نَحْبَهُ

qaḍā naḥbahu

Pass away

Literally: He fulfilled his allotted term

Closest English expression: Pass away

MSA; literary euphemism for death · MSA

In a sentence

قَضَى نَحْبَهُ بَعْدَ مَرَضٍ .
qaḍā naḥbahu baʿda maraḍin ṭawīl.He passed away after a long illness.
Source note
59

لَقِيَ حَتْفَهُ

laqiya ḥatfahu

Meet one’s death

Literally: He met his death

Closest English expression: Meet one’s death

MSA; formal reporting · MSA

In a sentence

لَقِيَ حَتْفَهُ فِي الْحَادِثِ.
laqiya ḥatfahu fī l-ḥādith.He met his death in the accident.
Source note
60

لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ

lā yusminu wa-lā yughnī min jūʿ

Offer no real benefit

Literally: It neither fattens nor relieves hunger

Closest English expression: Offer no real benefit

MSA; Qur’anic-origin expression used figuratively · MSA

In a sentence

هَذَا لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ.
hādhā l-waʿdu lā yusminu wa-lā yughnī min jūʿ.This promise offers no real benefit.
Source note

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More Arabic idioms for speech, change, and effort

These established expressions range from everyday figurative speech to literary turns of phrase. Use the register note to choose an appropriate setting.

An open book beside a curling speech ribbon and an hourglass.
61

أَذَّنَ فِي مَالْطَا

adhdhana fī Mālṭā

Speak to people who will not listen

Literally: Call to prayer in Malta

Closest English expression: Talk to a brick wall

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

أُكَرِّرُ نَصِيحَتِي كَأَنَّنِي أُؤَذِّنُ فِي مَالْطَا.
ukarriru naṣīḥatī kaʾannanī uʾadhdhinu fī MālṭāI keep repeating my advice as though I were talking to a brick wall.
Source note
62

اِسْتَدَّ سَاعِدُهُ

istadda sāʿiduhu

Develop strength and capability

Literally: His forearm grew strong

Closest English expression: Come into one’s own

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

اِسْتَدَّ سَاعِدُهُ بَعْدَ مِنَ .
istadda sāʿiduhu baʿda sanawātin mina t-tadrībYears of training made him strong and capable.
Source note
63

بَيْنَنَا

al-ayyāmu baynanā

The future will show who is right

Literally: The days are between us

Closest English expression: Time will tell

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

قَدْ تَنْجَحُ ؛ الْأَيَّامُ بَيْنَنَا.
qad tanjaḥu l-khuṭṭatu; al-ayyāmu baynanāThe plan may succeed; time will tell.
Source note
64

اللَّفُّ وَالدَّوَرَانُ

al-laffu wa-d-dawarān

Avoiding a direct answer

Literally: Winding and circling

Closest English expression: Beating around the bush

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

وَاضِحًا بِلَا لَفٍّ وَلَا دَوَرَانٍ.
urīdu jawāban wāḍiḥan bilā laffin wa-lā dawarānI want a clear answer without any evasiveness.
Source note
65

كَلِمَةُ حَقٍّ يُرَادُ بِهَا بَاطِلٌ

kalimatu ḥaqqin yurādu bihā bāṭilun

A truth used for a dishonest purpose

Literally: A true statement through which falsehood is intended

Closest English expression: A truth twisted to serve an agenda

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

هَذِهِ كَلِمَةُ حَقٍّ يُرَادُ بِهَا بَاطِلٌ.
hādhihi kalimatu ḥaqqin yurādu bihā bāṭilunThat is a true statement being used dishonestly.
Source note
66

لَا يُبْقِي وَلَا يَذَرُ

lā yubqī wa-lā yadharu

Destroy everything in its path

Literally: It neither spares nor leaves

Closest English expression: Leave nothing standing

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

كَانَ لَا يُبْقِي وَلَا يَذَرُ.
kāna l-ḥarīqu lā yubqī wa-lā yadharuThe fire left nothing standing.
Source note
67

مِنْ سَابِعِ الْمُسْتَحِيلَاتِ

min sābiʿi l-mustaḥīlāt

Almost completely impossible

Literally: Among the seventh impossibilities

Closest English expression: Next to impossible

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

إِنْهَاءُ الْعَمَلِ مِنْ سَابِعِ الْمُسْتَحِيلَاتِ.
inhāʾu l-ʿamali l-yawma min sābiʿi l-mustaḥīlātFinishing the work today is next to impossible.
Source note
68

وَضَعَتِ أَوْزَارَهَا

waḍaʿati l-ḥarbu awzārahā

The war came to an end

Literally: The war laid down its burdens

Closest English expression: Hostilities ended

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

وَضَعَتِ أَوْزَارَهَا وَعَادَ النَّاسُ إِلَى بُيُوتِهِمْ.
waḍaʿati l-ḥarbu awzārahā wa-ʿāda n-nāsu ilā buyūtihimThe war ended and people returned home.
Source note
69

وَهَلُمَّ جَرًّا

wa-halumma jarran

Continue the list in the same manner

Literally: And come along, dragging onward

Closest English expression: And so on

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

نَحْتَاجُ إِلَى وَأَقْلَامٍ وَدَفَاتِرَ، وَهَلُمَّ جَرًّا.
naḥtāju ilā waraqin wa-aqlāmin wa-dafātira, wa-halumma jarranWe need paper, pens, notebooks, and so on.
Source note
70

عَلَى وَسَاقٍ

ʿalā qadamin wa-sāqin

With full energy and activity

Literally: On a foot and a leg

Closest English expression: In full swing

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

تَجْرِي التَّحْضِيرَاتُ عَلَى قَدَمٍ وَسَاقٍ.
tajrī t-taḥḍīrātu ʿalā qadamin wa-sāqinPreparations are in full swing.
Source note

Explore these words: Time & dates (flashcards) · War & military (flashcards) · Jobs & work (flashcards)

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Arabic idioms about perspective, independence, and pressure

Feet, hands, letters, and fire supply vivid images for equality, recovery, clarity, and conflict. Learn the complete expression with its preposition.

A balanced pair of footprints beside a clear writing tablet and a small protected flame, representing equality, clarity, and conflict
71

عَلَى الْمُسَاوَاةِ

ʿalā qadami l-musāwāh

With equal status or treatment

Literally: On the foot of equality

Closest English expression: On an equal footing

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

نَتَعَامَلُ مَعَ الْجَمِيعِ عَلَى الْمُسَاوَاةِ.
nataʿāmalu maʿa l-jamīʿi ʿalā qadami l-musāwāhWe treat everyone on an equal footing.
Source note
72

عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ

waqafa ʿalā qadamayhi

Become independent or regain strength

Literally: Stand on his two feet

Closest English expression: Stand on one’s own feet

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

بَعْدَ الْأَزْمَةِ وَقَفَ عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ مِنْ جَدِيدٍ.
baʿda l-azmati waqafa ʿalā qadamayhi min jadīdAfter the crisis, he got back on his feet.
Source note
73

زَلَّتْ بِهِ

zallat bihi l-qadamu

Make a mistake or stray from the right path

Literally: The foot slipped with him

Closest English expression: Take a wrong step

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

زَلَّتْ بِهِ الْقَدَمُ، ثُمَّ أَصْلَحَ خَطَأَهُ.
zallat bihi l-qadamu, thumma aṣlaḥa khaṭaʾahuHe made a mistake, then put it right.
Source note
74

مِنْ أَخْمَصِ إِلَى قِمَّةِ الرَّأْسِ

min akhmaṣi l-qadami ilā qimmati r-raʾs

Covering the whole person

Literally: From the sole of the foot to the top of the head

Closest English expression: From head to toe

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

اِبْتَلَلْتُ مِنْ أَخْمَصِ الْقَدَمِ إِلَى قِمَّةِ الرَّأْسِ.
ibtalaltu min akhmaṣi l-qadami ilā qimmati r-raʾsI got soaked from head to toe.
Source note
75

اِجْعَلْ هَذَا تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْكَ

ijʿal hādhā taḥta qadamayka

Disregard an offense and move past it

Literally: Put this beneath your two feet

Closest English expression: Put it behind you

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

اِجْعَلْ هَذَا تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْكَ وَابْدَأْ مِنْ .
ijʿal hādhā taḥta qadamayka wa-bdaʾ min jadīdPut this behind you and start again.
Source note
76

عَلَى كَفِّ عِفْرِيتٍ

ʿalā kaffi ʿifrītin

In a dangerous, unstable position

Literally: On a demon’s palm

Closest English expression: On a knife-edge

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

أَصْبَحَ الْمَشْرُوعِ عَلَى كَفِّ عِفْرِيتٍ.
aṣbaḥa mustaqbalu l-mashrūʿi ʿalā kaffi ʿifrītinThe project’s future is on a knife-edge.
Source note
77

وَضَعَ عَلَى

waḍaʿa n-niqāṭa ʿalā l-ḥurūf

Make the facts clear

Literally: Put the dots on the letters

Closest English expression: Spell things out

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

وَضَعَتْ سَلْمَى النِّقَاطَ عَلَى الْحُرُوفِ فِي الِاجْتِمَاعِ.
waḍaʿat Salmā n-niqāṭa ʿalā l-ḥurūfi fī l-ijtimāʿSalma spelled things out in the meeting.
Source note
78

ضَاقَ بِهِ ذَرْعًا

ḍāqa bihi dharʿan

Be unable to bear or cope with something

Literally: His reach became too narrow for it

Closest English expression: Be at the end of one’s tether

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

ضِقْتُ بِهَذَا الضَّجِيجِ ذَرْعًا.
ḍiqtu bi-hādhā ḍ-ḍajīji dharʿanI cannot stand this noise any longer.
Source note
79

صَبَّ عَلَى

ṣabba z-zayta ʿalā n-nār

Make a disagreement more heated

Literally: Pour oil onto the fire

Closest English expression: Add fuel to the fire

Neutral; depends on context · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

صَبَّ تَعْلِيقُهُ الزَّيْتَ عَلَى .
ṣabba taʿlīquhu z-zayta ʿalā n-nārHis comment added fuel to the fire.
Source note
80

ضَرَبَ بِهِ عُرْضَ

ḍaraba bihi ʿurḍa l-ḥāʾiṭ

Dismiss something with no regard for it

Literally: Throw it against the side of the wall

Closest English expression: Throw something aside

Formal or literary · Modern Standard Arabic

In a sentence

ضَرَبَ بِنَصِيحَتِي عُرْضَ الْحَائِطِ.
ḍaraba bi-naṣīḥatī ʿurḍa l-ḥāʾiṭHe completely disregarded my advice.
Source note

Explore these words: Body parts (flashcards) · Time & dates (flashcards) · Directions & position (flashcards)

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Arabic proverbs and literary sayings

Read the whole expression as a unit, then compare the literal picture with the situation in the example.

A small path between houses and a patient gardener
81

أَهْلُ مَكَّةَ أَدْرَى بِشِعَابِهَا.

ahlu Makkata adrā bi-shiʿābihā.

Local people know their own affairs best.

Literally: The people of Mecca know its mountain paths best.

Closest English expression: Local people know their own affairs best.

Traditional proverb · MSA

In a sentence

لِنَسْأَلِ السُّكَّانَ؛ أَهْلُ مَكَّةَ أَدْرَى بِشِعَابِهَا.
li-nasʾali s-sukkān; ahlu Makkata adrā bi-shiʿābihā.Let us ask the residents; local people know best.
Source note
82

الطَّبْعُ يَغْلِبُ التَّطَبُّعَ.

aṭ-ṭabʿu yaghlibu t-taṭabbuʿ.

Old habits are hard to change.

Literally: Innate character overcomes assumed character.

Meaning: Innate character tends to prevail over a learned manner.

Closest English expression: A leopard cannot change its spots.

Traditional proverb · MSA

In a sentence

عَادَ إِلَى عَادَتِهِ؛ الطَّبْعُ يَغْلِبُ التَّطَبُّعَ.
ʿāda ilā ʿādatihi; aṭ-ṭabʿu yaghlibu t-taṭabbuʿ.He returned to his old habit; habits are hard to change.
Source note
83

كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ.

kamā tadīnu tudān.

You reap what you sow.

Literally: As you deal, you are dealt with.

Closest English expression: You reap what you sow.

Traditional proverb · MSA

In a sentence

عَامِلِ النَّاسَ بِإِنْصَافٍ؛ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ.
ʿāmili n-nāsa bi-inṣāf; kamā tadīnu tudān.Treat people fairly; you reap what you sow.
Source note
84

عَدُوُّ عَدُوِّي صَدِيقِي.

ʿaduwwu ʿaduwwī ṣadīqī.

A common opponent may create an alliance.

Literally: My enemy’s enemy is my friend.

Closest English expression: A common opponent may create an alliance.

Proverb; descriptive, not advice to trust blindly · MSA

In a sentence

تَحَالَفَا مَعًا بِمَنْطِقِ عَدُوُّ عَدُوِّي صَدِيقِي.
taḥālafā maʿan bi-manṭiqi ʿaduwwu ʿaduwwī ṣadīqī.They allied on the logic that an enemy’s enemy is a friend.
Source note
85

لِلْحِيطَانِ آذَانٌ وَلِلشَّوَارِعِ أَلْسِنَةٌ.

li-l-ḥīṭāni ādhānun wa-li-sh-shawāriʿi alsina.

Private words may spread.

Literally: Walls have ears and streets have tongues.

Closest English expression: Private words may spread.

Traditional warning · MSA

In a sentence

اِخْفِضْ ؛ لِلْحِيطَانِ آذَانٌ وَلِلشَّوَارِعِ أَلْسِنَةٌ.
ikhfiḍ ṣawtaka; li-l-ḥīṭāni ādhānun wa-li-sh-shawāriʿi alsina.Lower your voice; words may travel.
Source note
86

لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنَ اسْمِهِ .

li-kulli mriʾin mina smihi naṣīb.

A person may live up to their name.

Literally: Each person has a share of their name.

Closest English expression: A person may live up to their name.

Traditional saying; often playful · MSA

In a sentence

اسْمُهَا وَهِيَ مُتَفَائِلَةٌ؛ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنَ اسْمِهِ نَصِيبٌ.
ismuhā Amalun wa-hiya mutafāʾila; li-kulli mriʾin mina smihi naṣīb.Her name is Amal, Hope, and she is optimistic: she lives up to her name.
Source note
87

الْغُرْمُ بِالْغُنْمِ.

al-ghurmu bi-l-ghunm.

Benefit comes with responsibility.

Literally: Liability goes with gain.

Closest English expression: Benefit comes with responsibility.

Classical maxim; general-language explanation, not legal advice · MSA

In a sentence

مَنْ يَسْتَفِيدُ يَتَحَمَّلُ ؛ الْغُرْمُ بِالْغُنْمِ.
man yastafīdu yataḥammalu masʾūliyya; al-ghurmu bi-l-ghunm.Those who benefit carry responsibility.
Source note
88

تَجْرِي الرِّيَاحُ بِمَا لَا تَشْتَهِي السُّفُنُ.

tajrī r-riyāḥu bi-mā lā tashtahī s-sufun.

Plans do not always work out.

Literally: The winds blow in ways the ships do not desire.

Closest English expression: Plans do not always work out.

Literary saying from al-Mutanabbi, poem opening بما التعلل; also proverbial in use · MSA

In a sentence

تَأَخَّرَتِ الرِّحْلَةُ؛ تَجْرِي الرِّيَاحُ بِمَا لَا تَشْتَهِي السُّفُنُ.
taʾakhkharati r-riḥla; tajrī r-riyāḥu bi-mā lā tashtahī s-sufun.The trip was delayed; plans do not always work out.
Source note
89

لِلَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ شُؤُونٌ.

li-llāhi fī khalqihi shuʾūn.

Life contains things beyond our understanding.

Literally: God has purposes in His creation.

Closest English expression: Life contains things beyond our understanding.

Religious traditional saying; not attributed as scripture · MSA

In a sentence

لَمْ أَفْهَمْ مَا حَدَثَ؛ لِلَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ شُؤُونٌ.
lam afham mā ḥadath; li-llāhi fī khalqihi shuʾūn.I did not understand what happened; life holds mysteries.
Source note
90

خَيْرُهَا بِغَيْرِهَا.

khayruhā bi-ghayrihā.

Better luck next time.

Literally: Its good may lie in something else.

Closest English expression: Better luck next time.

Consoling saying; used across varieties · MSA

In a sentence

لَمْ تَنْجَحِ الْمُحَاوَلَةُ؛ خَيْرُهَا بِغَيْرِهَا.
lam tanjaḥi l-muḥāwala; khayruhā bi-ghayrihā.The attempt failed; better luck next time.
Source note

Explore these words: Quantities & measurements (flashcards) · Emotions & feelings (flashcards)

Put these words into context with a story at your level.

Read Arabic stories

Use an idiom in a real situation

  1. Choose one expression whose example fits your life.
  2. Say the original example, then change one detail while preserving the idiom.
  3. Notice the register: a joking expression can be unsuitable in a serious apology.
  4. Look for the phrase in a story before trying to use several idioms in one conversation.

Arabic idioms: frequently asked questions

What is an Arabic idiom?

An idiom is a fixed expression whose intended meaning differs from a straightforward translation of its words. The literal picture can be a useful memory aid, but the example shows how it is used.

What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?

An idiom usually fits inside a sentence. A proverb is usually a complete saying that comments on life or gives advice. Both can be figurative.

Which Arabic idioms should a beginner learn first?

Start with the essential list. Choose expressions you encounter in stories or conversation rather than memorising the whole page at once.

Can I translate English idioms word for word?

Sometimes languages share a picture, but many expressions do not transfer. Check the target-language meaning and example before using a literal translation.

Are all these expressions formal?

No. Read the register label. Many are conversational, some are literary and a few are pointed or critical; those can sound rude when aimed directly at another person.

Does every idiom have an exact English equivalent?

No. The English equivalent is a close functional match or a short paraphrase. It does not promise that the expressions fit every identical context.

How can I remember figurative expressions?

Connect the literal image to a specific situation. Retell the example in your own words and look for another occurrence before learning the next expression.

Are these Arabic idioms MSA or dialect?

This selection uses established MSA and literary expressions. Their forms are common in writing and formal speech; a dialect may reshape the pronunciation or use a different expression. Do not assume these are the casual spoken forms of every region.

Why does Arabic have vowel marks here?

Harakat make an unfamiliar expression easier to read. Ordinary Arabic publications often omit them. Final case endings may disappear when a speaker pauses.

Make these words part of your day

Explore Arabic stories, listen along, and save vocabulary as you go.

Find a story at your level

Sources and verification

English translations and examples were written for this guide. Source notes distinguish documented expressions, original practice sentences, and literary quotations. Literary excerpts retain the language of their original period.

Source notes for all 90 entries
  1. بَيْنَ الْمِطْرَقَةِ وَالسِّنْدَانِ: Dictionary headword “بين المطرقة والسندان”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-1-source]
  2. زَادَ الطِّينَ بِلَّةً: Dictionary headword “زاد الطين بلة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-2-source]
  3. حَفِظَ مَاءَ الْوَجْهِ: Dictionary headword “حفظ ماء الوجه”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-3-source]
  4. ذَهَبَ أَدْرَاجَ الرِّيَاحِ: Dictionary headword “ذهب أدراج الرياح”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-4-source]
  5. صَنَعَ مِنَ الْحَبَّةِ قُبَّةً: Dictionary headword “صنع من الحبة قبة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-5-source]
  6. بَيْنَ لَيْلَةٍ وَضُحَاهَا: Dictionary headword “بين ليلة وضحاها”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-6-source]
  7. فِي نِهَايَةِ الْمَطَافِ: Dictionary headword “في نهاية المطاف”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-7-source]
  8. عَلَى خَيْرِ مَا يُرَامُ: Dictionary headword “على خير ما يرام”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-8-source]
  9. عَادَ بِخُفَّيْ حُنَيْنٍ: Dictionary headword “عاد بخفي حنين”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-9-source]
  10. بِشِقِّ الْأَنْفُسِ: Dictionary headword “بشق الأنفس”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [essential-10-source]
  11. ثَقِيلُ الدَّمِ: Dictionary headword “ثقيل الدم”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-1-source]
  12. ذُو وَجْهَيْنِ: Dictionary headword “ذو وجهين”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-2-source]
  13. أُسْطُوَانَةٌ مَشْرُوخَةٌ: Dictionary headword “أسطوانة مشروخة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-3-source]
  14. كُلُّ مَنْ هَبَّ وَدَبَّ: Dictionary headword “كل من هب ودب”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-4-source]
  15. أَبًا عَنْ جَدٍّ: Dictionary headword “أبا عن جد”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-5-source]
  16. عَاشَ بِوَجْهَيْنِ: Dictionary headword “عاش بوجهين”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-6-source]
  17. لَعِبَ عَلَى الْحَبْلَيْنِ: Dictionary headword “لعب على الحبلين”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-7-source]
  18. كَالَ بِمِكْيَالَيْنِ: Dictionary headword “كال بمكيالين”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-8-source]
  19. دُونَ أَنْ يَرِفَّ لَهُ جَفْنٌ: Dictionary headword “دون أن يرف له جفن”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-9-source]
  20. جَابَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا: Dictionary headword “جاب مشارق الأرض ومغاربها”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [people-10-source]
  21. شَمَّرَ عَنْ سَاعِدِ الْجِدِّ: Dictionary headword “شمر عن ساعد الجد”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-1-source]
  22. شَدَّ الْعَضُدَ: Dictionary headword “شد العضد”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-2-source]
  23. جَعْجَعَةٌ بِلَا طَحْنٍ: Dictionary headword “جعجعة بلا طحن”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-3-source]
  24. حَارَبَ طَوَاحِينَ الْهَوَاءِ: Dictionary headword “حارب طواحين الهواء”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-4-source]
  25. خَبَطَ خَبْطَ عَشْوَاءَ: Dictionary headword “خبط خبط عشواء”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-5-source]
  26. كَشَفَ النِّقَابَ: Dictionary headword “كشف النقاب”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-6-source]
  27. اِبْتَلَعَ الطُّعْمَ: Dictionary headword “ابتلع الطعم”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-7-source]
  28. أَتْخَمَ السُّوقَ: Dictionary headword “أتخم السوق”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-8-source]
  29. أَرْضِيَّةٌ مُلَائِمَةٌ: Dictionary headword “أرضية ملائمة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-9-source]
  30. لَعِبَ دَوْرًا: Dictionary headword “لعب دورا”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [work-10-source]
  31. طَفَحَ الْكَيْلُ: Dictionary headword “طفح الكيل”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-1-source]
  32. بَلَغَ السَّيْلُ الزُّبَى: Dictionary headword “بلغ السيل الزبى”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-2-source]
  33. الْقَشَّةُ الَّتِي قَصَمَتْ ظَهْرَ الْبَعِيرِ: Dictionary headword “القشة التي قصمت ظهر البعير”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-3-source]
  34. خِيَارَانِ أَحْلَاهُمَا مُرٌّ: Dictionary headword “خياران أحلاهما مر”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-4-source]
  35. اِسْتَجَارَ مِنَ الرَّمْضَاءِ بِالنَّارِ: Dictionary headword “استجار من الرمضاء بالنار”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-5-source]
  36. ذَرَّ الْمِلْحَ عَلَى الْجُرْحِ: Dictionary headword “ذر الملح على الجرح”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-6-source]
  37. بَيْنَ شِقَّيِ الرَّحَى: Dictionary headword “بين شقي الرحى”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-7-source]
  38. بَيْنَ فَكَّيِ الْكَمَّاشَةِ: Dictionary headword “بين فكي الكماشة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-8-source]
  39. أَتَى عَلَى الْأَخْضَرِ وَالْيَابِسِ: Dictionary headword “أتى على الأخضر واليابس”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-9-source]
  40. لَا نَاقَةَ لَهُ فِيهِ وَلَا جَمَلٌ: Dictionary headword “لا ناقة له فيه ولا جمل”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [trouble-10-source]
  41. بَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ: Dictionary headword “بلغت القلوب الحناجر”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-1-source]
  42. جُنَّ جُنُونًا: Dictionary headword “جن جنونا”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-2-source]
  43. أَضْحَكَ الثَّكْلَى: Dictionary headword “أضحك الثكلى”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-3-source]
  44. لَا فُضَّ فُوكَ: Dictionary headword “لا فض فوك”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-4-source]
  45. لَيْتَ شِعْرِي: Dictionary headword “ليت شعري”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-5-source]
  46. أَكَلَ الدَّهْرُ عَلَيْهِ وَشَرِبَ: Dictionary headword “أكل الدهر عليه وشرب”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-6-source]
  47. بِأَبْهَى حُلَّةٍ: Dictionary headword “بأبهى حلة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-7-source]
  48. عَلَى مَرْأًى وَمَسْمَعٍ: Dictionary headword “على مرأى ومسمع”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-8-source]
  49. قِيدَ شَعْرَةٍ: Dictionary headword “قيد شعرة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-9-source]
  50. إِبْرَةٌ فِي كُومَةِ قَشٍّ: Dictionary headword “إبرة في كومة قش”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [emotion-10-source]
  51. عَادَ أَدْرَاجَهُ: Dictionary headword “عاد أدراجه”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-1-source]
  52. اِرْتَدَّ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ: Dictionary headword “ارتد على عقبيه”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-2-source]
  53. جَعَلَ عَالِيَ الشَّيْءِ سَافِلَهُ: Dictionary headword “جعل عالي الشيء سافله”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-3-source]
  54. صَالَ وَجَالَ: Dictionary headword “صال وجال”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-4-source]
  55. بَسَطَ يَدَهُ: Dictionary headword “بسط يده”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-5-source]
  56. بِحَذَافِيرِهِ: Dictionary headword “بحذافيره”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-6-source]
  57. مِنَ الْمَهْدِ إِلَى اللَّحْدِ: Dictionary headword “من المهد إلى اللحد”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-7-source]
  58. قَضَى نَحْبَهُ: Dictionary headword “قضى نحبه”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-8-source]
  59. لَقِيَ حَتْفَهُ: Dictionary headword “لقي حتفه”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-9-source]
  60. لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنْ جُوعٍ: Dictionary headword “لا يسمن ولا يغني من جوع”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [actions-10-source]
  61. أَذَّنَ فِي مَالْطَا: A culturally specific metaphor with religious imagery. The example concerns unheard advice; it makes no claim about present-day Malta. [extra-source-1]
  62. اِسْتَدَّ سَاعِدُهُ: Literary wording for growing stronger or more capable; the forearm represents the whole person. [extra-source-2]
  63. الْأَيَّامُ بَيْنَنَا: Tone matters: this can be patient, confident, or challenging. [extra-source-3]
  64. اللَّفُّ وَالدَّوَرَانُ: The example uses the established negative construction with the same paired nouns. [extra-source-4]
  65. كَلِمَةُ حَقٍّ يُرَادُ بِهَا بَاطِلٌ: A forceful criticism of how a statement is used, rather than a claim that the statement itself is false. [extra-source-5]
  66. لَا يُبْقِي وَلَا يَذَرُ: An emphatic literary expression, suited to destruction or sweeping devastation. [extra-source-6]
  67. مِنْ سَابِعِ الْمُسْتَحِيلَاتِ: Hyperbole: it is not a numbered list of seven real impossibilities. [extra-source-7]
  68. وَضَعَتِ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا: Formal narration and reporting; the expression personifies war as laying down a load. [extra-source-8]
  69. وَهَلُمَّ جَرًّا: A fixed expression after examples in a list; it is not an instruction to drag something. [extra-source-9]
  70. عَلَى قَدَمٍ وَسَاقٍ: Often describes preparations, construction, or work that is proceeding energetically. [extra-source-10]
  71. عَلَى قَدَمِ الْمُسَاوَاةِ: A useful formal expression for fairness, rights, and participation. [extra-source-11]
  72. وَقَفَ عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ: Context distinguishes figurative recovery or independence from physically standing up. [extra-source-12]
  73. زَلَّتْ بِهِ الْقَدَمُ: The figurative use often concerns conduct or judgment, so it can sound morally serious. [extra-source-13]
  74. مِنْ أَخْمَصِ الْقَدَمِ إِلَى قِمَّةِ الرَّأْسِ: A whole-body expression; English usually names the head before the feet. [extra-source-14]
  75. اِجْعَلْ هَذَا تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْكَ: A literary imperative addressed to a man. Here the metaphor means to overlook the matter, not to carry out a physical action. [extra-source-15]
  76. عَلَى كَفِّ عِفْرِيتٍ: The supernatural image conveys insecurity; it is figurative rather than a statement of belief. [extra-source-16]
  77. وَضَعَ النِّقَاطَ عَلَى الْحُرُوفِ: Dots distinguish many Arabic letters. The expression means clarification, not merely checking small details. [extra-source-17]
  78. ضَاقَ بِهِ ذَرْعًا: The phrase takes bi- before the person or situation that is hard to endure. [extra-source-18]
  79. صَبَّ الزَّيْتَ عَلَى النَّارِ: Common in discussion of arguments; the example describes a comment escalating tension. [extra-source-19]
  80. ضَرَبَ بِهِ عُرْضَ الْحَائِطِ: The object follows bi-; this is stronger than simply forgetting advice. [extra-source-20]
  81. أَهْلُ مَكَّةَ أَدْرَى بِشِعَابِهَا.: Dictionary headword “أهل مكة أدرى بشعابها”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-1-source]
  82. الطَّبْعُ يَغْلِبُ التَّطَبُّعَ.: Dictionary headword “الطبع يغلب التطبع”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-2-source]
  83. كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ.: Dictionary headword “كما تدين تدان”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-3-source]
  84. عَدُوُّ عَدُوِّي صَدِيقِي.: Dictionary headword “عدو عدوي صديقي”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-4-source]
  85. لِلْحِيطَانِ آذَانٌ وَلِلشَّوَارِعِ أَلْسِنَةٌ.: Dictionary headword “للحيطان آذان وللشوارع ألسنة”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-5-source]
  86. لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنَ اسْمِهِ نَصِيبٌ.: Dictionary headword “لكل امرئ من اسمه نصيب”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-6-source]
  87. الْغُرْمُ بِالْغُنْمِ.: Dictionary headword “الغرم بالغنم”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-7-source]
  88. تَجْرِي الرِّيَاحُ بِمَا لَا تَشْتَهِي السُّفُنُ.: Dictionary headword “تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-8-source]
  89. لِلَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ شُؤُونٌ.: Dictionary headword “لله في خلقه شؤون”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-9-source]
  90. خَيْرُهَا بِغَيْرِهَا.: Dictionary headword “خيرها بغيرها”; displayed learner diacritics are editorial. [proverbs-10-source]