liaafriani

What are idioms?

Definition

An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say. They have, however, hidden meaning.

The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the phrase is interpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in different cultures and countries. 

An idiom is a word or phrase which means something different from its literal meaning. Idioms are common phrases or terms whose meaning is not real, but can be understood by their popular use.
Because idioms can mean something different from what the words mean it is difficult for someone not very good at speaking the language to use them properly.

 Some idioms are only used by some groups of people or at certain times. The idiom shape up or ship out, which is like saying improve your behavior or leave if you don't, might be said by an employer or supervisor to an employee, but not to other people.
Idioms are not the same thing as slang. Idioms are made of normal words that have a special meaning known by almost everyone. Slang is usually special words that are known only by a particular group of people.

Examples

• "Kick the bucket"
• "Spill the beans"

The meaning of these expressions is different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meaning are however used figuratively. They mean respectively:

• "to die "
• "to tell people secret information"

Some common idioms

• Break a leg

A way to wish someone good luck.

• To live it up

To enjoy life, to live widely

• To kick the bucket

To die.

• Shape up or ship out

Used to tell someone that they should leave if they don't improve their behavior or performance

• To shed crocodile tears

To cry about something but without actually caring.

• Wild goose chase

A useless journey or pursuit.

• There's no room to swing a cat

There is not a lot of space.

• To pay through the nose

To pay a lot of money, more than is normal.

• To bark up the wrong tree

To choose the wrong course of action.

• To spill the beans

To tell a secret.

• It's raining cats and dogs

It's raining heavily.

• To get into hot water

To get into trouble.

• To be chicken-hearted

To be scared.

• Top dog

Leader.

• To smell a rat

To think that something is wrong.

• To chicken out

Not doing an activity because of fear.

• To give up

To quit.

• To give up on

To stop believing in something or someone.

• I could eat a horse

To be very hungry.

• To be on top of the world

To be really happy.

 

 Examples

Example #1

“Every cloud has its silver lining but it is sometimes a little difficult to get it to the mint.”

The statement quoted above uses “silver lining” as an idiom which means some auspicious moment is lurking behind the cloud or the difficult time.

Example #2

“American idioms drive me up the hall!”

Here, the word “idioms” is used as an idiom.

Example #3

“I worked the graveyard shift with old people, which was really demoralizing, because the old people didn’t have a chance in hell of ever getting out.”

In the extract quoted above, “graveyard shift” is employed as an idiom.








references
http://literarydevices.net/idiom/
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/idioms-meaning.html