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Idioms

An idiom is a form of expression, construction or phrase peculiar to a language and often


possessing a meaning other than its grammatical or logical one; its meaning is different from
the meanings of the individual words.

1. A clich is an expression that has been used over and over again so that it becomes lifeless.
e.g. Time flies./ Time is flying.
Home sweet home.
He is a pillar of the community.
Life is what you make it.

The clichs are constructions that have a considerable use in a certain moment. They
dont require any linguistic inventiveness; such constructions fit very well in different
situations.

a dead metaphor is also considered a clich. It is a metaphor which has so often been
used that it has become lifeless and lost its figurative strength.
e.g. Dont beat about the bush no matter how embarrassed you are.
His cooking is out of this world.
Dont take any notice of what he says. He is pulling your leg.
That lyrics got right to the heart of the matter.

2. Idiomatic phrases with prepositions: there are many idiomatic phrases beginning with a
preposition: at any rate, by heart, by mistake, in a hurry, in vain, on purpose etc.

3. Nationality idioms: English language often uses the names of other countries in common
phrases:
e.g. If two or more people at a restaurant or pub go Dutch, they all pay for themselves.
Its all Greek to me. (you cannot make sense of written instructions)
Its an Indian summer. (the warm, dry weather continues into autumn)
French dressing (a thin sauce made of oil, vinegar and spices which you put on salad)

4. Collocations: certain common adjectives are sometimes emphasized, especially in


colloquial language, with the addition of another adjective or noun in front of them.
e.g. The weather was icy cold. (= extremely)
The road was dead straight. (= absolutely)
The neighbours hear anything we say. The walls are paper thin. (= very)
The sea near those rocks is crystal clear. (= very transparent)
It was 2 a.m. but I was still wide awake. (= completely)

5. Alliterative expressions: in these expressions the same letter or sound, especially at the
beginning of words, is repeated (alliteration = repeating and playing upon the same letter).
e.g. Flip-flops are cheap, open sandals, each consisting of a rubber sole and a strap between
the toes.
We could hear the clip-clop of the horses hooves.
To keep our spirits up on the long journey we had a sing-song.
I like keeping everything ship-shape.
He is a serious, rather cold man. He likes getting to the point straight away in
conversation and not waste the time in idle chit-chat.

6. Other idioms
numbers: a two-edged compliment (= a compliment that has double meaning), a two-
way street (= moving in two opposite directions), a two-piece suit (= a set of clothing
made of two parts)
pair phrases: sick and tired (being very annoyed with something), ups and downs (=
experiencing a mixture of good things and bad things), to and fro (= moving
repeatedly from one place to another), bread and butter, toast and marmalade, fried
eggs and bacon
time expressions: at the same time, for the time being, in the nick of time, for old
times sake, in a weeks time, in two years time

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