Flying Coffin & Other Indian Idioms

Indian idioms have a rich color and tang to them that other idioms can rarely equal.

An article in the Economist on the Indian Air Force’s decision to retire the MiG-21 aircraft highlights how colorful our idioms can be.

Flying Coffin
Meaning: MiG-21 fighter jets were slammed by the Indian press as “flying coffins” for their propensity to crash often and kill their pilots. The Economist (September 6, 2025, p.28) mentioned last year that over 400 of these flying coffins have crashed in 60 years, killing 200 pilots and 60 civilians.

Here are a few more interesting idioms of Indian origin:

Delhi Belly
Meaning: have the Danes; to have diarrhea

Timepass
Meaning: Doing something light or not serious, just to pass time (like watching TikTok or Youtube)

Kindly Adjust
Meaning: Often heard in crowded Indian trains and buses when seated passengers are asked to make room for a third or fourth person in a seat meant for two

Don’t Eat my Brain
Meaning: to irritate, or vex someone
Example: Stop eating my brain. I’m trying to study for the exam.

Non-Veg
Meaning: Food that includes meat
Example: My wife is not cooking non-veg today because of Diwali.

Same to You
Meaning: a quick, polite rejoinder, even when not matching the exact phrase. When someone greets you on your birthday, you’re quick to respond same to you even if it might not be the other person’s birthday!

Mugging
Meaning: Unlike in the west where mugging involves a physical attack on a dark street or a deserted subway platform, in India the expression means a student cramming for the exams

Out of station
Meaning: When someone is away from the usual place or city
Example: I can’t meet you tomorrow since I will be out of station.

Too much only
Meaning: Far too much; excessively
Example: You’re worrying too much only; just relax.

Sitting on my head
Meaning: Apply pressure or stress
Example: Meenakshi’s parents are sitting on her head to clear the IIT entrance.