Hobson’s choice (5)
A situation in which there appears to be a choice but there is really only one option
(मजबूरी का सौदा)
Sentence: Accepting the job on their terms was a Hobson’s choice for him.
Hocus pocus
Words or tricks used to deceive someone; nonsense intended to confuse
(धोखा देने वाली बातें)
Sentence: Don’t believe his promises—they’re just hocus pocus.
Hoist by one’s own petard (2)
To be harmed by something that was intended to harm someone else
(अपने ही जाल में फँसना)
Sentence: He spread rumors about others but was hoist by his own petard in the end.
Hold (or stand) one’s ground (5)
To refuse to change your opinion or give way
(अपनी बात पर अड़े रहना)
Sentence: She held her ground despite strong opposition.
Hold a brief for (2)
To speak in support of someone or something; to advocate for
(समर्थन करना)
Sentence: The lawyer held a brief for his client confidently.
Hold good (2)
To remain true, valid, or applicable
(सही साबित होना, मान्य रहना)
Sentence: This rule still holds good in modern times.
Hold one’s head high
To feel proud and confident; to not be ashamed
(गर्व महसूस करना)
Sentence: Even after losing, he held his head high.
Hold one’s horses (12)
To wait and be patient; to slow down
(धैर्य रखना)
Sentence: Hold your horses, we’ll decide after hearing everyone.
Hold one’s tongue (4)
To stay silent; to not say anything even when one wants to
(चुप रहना)
Sentence: He wanted to argue but held his tongue.
Hold out an olive branch (3)
To make an offer of peace or reconciliation
(शांति का प्रस्ताव)
Sentence: She held out an olive branch to end the dispute.
Hold someone’s feet to the fire
To pressure someone to fulfil their obligations or commitments
(दबाव डालना; ज़िम्मेदारी निभाने को मजबूर करना)
Sentence: The manager held the team’s feet to the fire to meet the deadline.
Hold the fort
To take care of a place or job temporarily while someone is away
(ज़िम्मेदारी सँभालना)
Sentence: Can you hold the fort while I step out?
Hold the key
To be the crucial factor in achieving something or solving a problem
(नियंत्रण या समाधान होना)
Sentence: Hard work holds the key to success.
Hold water (4)
To be sound and valid when examined or tested; to be reasonable
(तर्कसंगत होना)
Sentence: His argument doesn’t hold water.
Hope against hope (2)
To continue to hope for something even when success seems very unlikely
(असंभव उम्मीद)
Sentence: She hoped against hope that her lost dog would return.
Horse sense
Basic common sense and practical judgment
(व्यावहारिक ज्ञान)
Sentence: It doesn’t take much, just a bit of horse sense.
Horses for courses (2)
The idea that different people or things are suitable for different situations
(योग्यता के अनुसार काम)
Sentence: He chose the right candidate—horses for courses.
Hot potato (3)
A subject or problem that is difficult and controversial to deal with
(ज्वलंत मुद्दा)
Sentence: The issue of layoffs became a hot potato in the meeting.
Hot under the collar
Feeling angry or annoyed
(गुस्से में)
Sentence: He got hot under the collar during the argument.
House of cards (3)
An organization or plan that is very weak and can easily be destroyed
(अत्यंत अस्थिर ढाँचा)
Sentence: Their business collapsed like a house of cards.
Hue and cry (4)
A loud noise or expression of anger or protest from a group of people
(शोर-गुल)
Sentence: There was a hue and cry over the sudden rule change.
Huff and puff
To breathe heavily or show anger
(हाँफना; गुस्सा दिखाना)
Sentence: He was huffing and puffing after climbing the stairs.
Husband one’s resources
To use money, time, or resources carefully and economically
(संसाधनों की बचत करना)
Sentence: We must husband our resources during tough times.
Icing on the cake (5)
Something extra that makes a good thing even better
(अतिरिक्त ख़ुशी या लाभ)
Sentence: Winning the prize was great, but the bonus was the icing on the cake.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another
Used to say that there is always something going wrong
(परेशानियों का सिलसिला)
Sentence: First the car broke down, then it rained—if it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Ignorance is bliss (2)
Not knowing about something unpleasant can make one happier
(अज्ञानता परमानंद है; अनजान रहना कभी कभी अच्छा होता है)
Sentence: He chose not to read the negative comments—ignorance is bliss.
Ill at ease (4)
Feeling anxious or embarrassed; not comfortable
(असहज महसूस करना)
Sentence: He felt ill at ease in the unfamiliar environment.
I’ll eat my hat
Expression of certainty something won’t happen
(अविश्वास दिखाना)
Sentence: If he finishes this in a day, I’ll eat my hat.
In a fix (3)
In a difficult situation that is hard to escape from
(मुश्किल में फँसा होना)
Sentence: I’m in a fix because I lost my wallet.
In a flutter
In a state of nervous excitement or agitation
(घबराहट में)
Sentence: She was in a flutter before her first performance.
In a fog
In a state of confusion; unable to think clearly
(भ्रम में होना)
Sentence: After the long meeting, I was in a fog.
In a jiffy
Very quickly; in a very short time
(पलक झपकते ही; फ़ौरन)
Sentence: I’ll be ready in a jiffy.
In a nutshell (13)
In a very few words; briefly
(संक्षेप में)
Sentence: In a nutshell, the plan failed due to poor management.
In a pickle (4)
In a difficult or confusing situation
(मुसीबत में फँसना)
Sentence: He got into a pickle by lying to his boss.
In a quandary
In a state of uncertainty or confusion about what to do
(दुविधा में होना)
Sentence: She was in a quandary about which job to choose.
In a tight corner (or spot) (5)
In a difficult situation that is hard to escape from
(मुश्किल हालात में फँसा होना)
Sentence: He found himself in a tight corner after missing the deadline.
In a time warp
In a state where things have not changed from the past
(समय के साथ न बदलना)
Sentence: The village feels like it’s stuck in a time warp.
In apple-pie order (5)
In perfect order; very neat and tidy
(पूरी तरह व्यवस्थित)
Sentence: She keeps her desk in apple-pie order.
In bad taste
Offensive; likely to upset or annoy people
(अपमानजनक)
Sentence: His joke about the tragedy was in bad taste.
In bits and pieces
In many small parts; not complete
(थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके)
Sentence: He told the story in bits and pieces.
In black and white (10)
In writing; in a form that provides clear proof
(लिखित रूप में)
Sentence: Make sure you get the agreement in black and white.
In cahoots with (2)
Working together secretly, often for dishonest purposes
(मिलीभगत में)
Sentence: They were in cahoots with the criminals.
In character
Typical of someone’s usual way of behaving
(उम्मीद के मुताबिक़)
Sentence: His calm response was completely in character.
In cold blood (5)
In a planned way and without showing any emotion
(सोच-समझकर किया गया)
Sentence: The crime was committed in cold blood.
In deep water (4)
In serious trouble or difficulty
(बड़ी मुश्किल में)
Sentence: He’s in deep water after failing the exam.
In dire straits (4)
In a very bad or difficult situation, especially financial
(अत्यंत कठिन स्थिति में)
Sentence: The company is in dire straits due to losses.
In dribs and drabs
In small amounts over a period of time
(थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके)
Sentence: The money came in dribs and drabs.
In Dutch with
In trouble or disfavour with someone
(किसी की नाराज़गी या मुसीबत में होना)
Sentence: He is in Dutch with his teacher for not completing his work.
In force
Currently valid or operating; or in large numbers
(लागू; बड़ी संख्या में)
Sentence: The new rules are now in force across the country.
In full swing (3)
At the most active or busiest stage
(पूरे ज़ोरों से)
Sentence: Preparations for the festival are in full swing.