There are several Hindi idioms (plural. मुहावरे – Muhavare), which are used in daily conversation by native Hindi speakers. Some idioms are used more often than the others and can be very important for every Hindi learner. I have compiled these Hindi idioms in a list along with their usage, transliteration and translation in English.

My personal favorite is  पेट में चूहे कूदना at no. 7 which literally means to have jumping rats in your stomach though it means to feel hungry. I used to wonder the meaning of this idioms in my childhood days and it was always funny to tell my mother that I am feeling hungry this way! 😀

1. आँखो का तारा (Aankhein ka tara – to be the most beloved)
माँ ने उसे बोला की वही ही उसकी आँखों का तारा है.
Mother told her that only she is the most beloved to her.

2. मुँह मीठा करना (Muh mitha karna – to share happiness)
जब उनके लड़के को नोबेल शांति पुरष्कार मिला तब वो इतने खुश थे की उन्होंने सभी पड़ोसियों का मुंह मीठा कराया था.
When their son got the Nobel peace prize, they were so happy that they distributed the sweets to all neighbors.

3. चहरा उतरना (Chehra utarna – to face a disappointment)
जब श्याम को पता चला की वो परिषा में विफल हो गया है तब उसका चहरा उतर गया.
After getting to know that Shyam has failed the examination, he was disappointed.

4. बात पक्की होना (Baat pakki hona – to agree on a matter)
दो राजनीतिक पार्टियों ने गठबंधन कि बात पक्की की, कि वो एक बड़ी पार्टी बना रहे है.
The two political party has agreed to form a coalition to form a bigger party.

5. बाल-बाल बचना (Baal baal bachna – to escape an eminent grave danger)
मैंने आज एक आदमी को देखा जो मरने से बल बल बचा.
Today, I saw a man who just got away close from a fatal accident.

6. जान पर खेलना (Jaan par khelna – to put own life in danger to save others)
रंजित ने आपनी जान पर खेल कर भूकम में दो परिवार को बचाया.
Ranjit saved two family in the earthquake by without fear of his own life.

7. पेट में चूहे कूदना (pet mein chuhe kudna – to feel very hungry)
माँ, तुमने आज खाने में क्या बनाया है? मेरे पेट में चूहे कूद रहे है!
Mother, what have you cooked today? I am feeling very hungry!

8. पत्थर की लकीर (patar ki lakir – to be firm on a decision)
उसको को कोई मना नहीं सकता, उसकी बात पत्थर की लकीर है.(मना सकना – able to convince someone)
He is always so firm on his saying that nobody can convince him otherwise.

9. दम में दम आना (dam mein dam aana – getting relief)
जबतक उसने सारी परिषा सफल न कर ली तब तक उसके दम में दम ना आया.
Only after clearing all examinations, he could feel free from his fear of failure in examination.

10. मुँह में पानी आना (muh mein pani aana – to feel very tempted by something or someone)
जेसे ही उसने अच्छा खाना देखा उसके मुंह में पानी आ गया.
As soon as he saw the good food, he was so tempted for it.