Turkish Idioms and English Meanings

A collection of 30 common Turkish idioms (deyimler) alongside their English definitions.

Göz atmak

To take a look

Kulak vermek

To listen carefully

Kafaya takmak

To dwell on something

Gözden kaçırmak

To overlook, miss

Elinden geleni yapmak

To do one's best

Aklına gelmek

To come to mind

Aklında tutmak

To keep in mind

Canı sıkılmak

To feel bored or upset

Canı çekmek

To crave something

Gözü tutmak

To take a liking to someone

Kafası karışmak

To be confused

İçine sinmek

To feel satisfied with something

Göz kulak olmak

To look after someone/something

Dört gözle beklemek

To look forward to eagerly

Ağzından kaçırmak

To let something slip (like a secret)

Lafı uzatmak

To drag out a conversation

Lafı dolandırmak

To beat around the bush

Göze almak

To be willing to take the risk

Burnundan getirmek

To make someone's life miserable

Etekleri zil çalmak

To be overjoyed

Eli ayağına dolaşmak

To get flustered

İpe un sermek

To make excuses

Pireyi deve yapmak

To exaggerate a small problem

Göz yummak

To turn a blind eye

Kulağına küpe olmak

To serve as a lesson

Dilinin ucunda olmak

To know something but be temporarily unable to remember or say it

İçini dökmek

To pour one's heart out

Ağzı açık kalmak

To be astonished

İçi içine sığmamak

To be unable to contain one's excitement

Kılı kırk yarmak

To be extremely meticulous