Plant Idioms

Masarykova univerzita
Filozofická fakulta
Katedra anglistiky a amerikanistiky
Bakalářská diplomová práce

Magda Sučková
2010 Magda Sučková

Hřbet
2010
Masaryk University
Faculty of Arts
Department of English
and American Studies
English Language and Literature
Magda Sučková
A Comparative study of English and Czech

Idioms: Plant Idioms
Bachelor ’s Diploma Thesis
Supervisor: PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, CSc.
2010
I declare that I have worked on this thesis independently,
using only the primary and secondary sources listed in the bibliography.
……………………………………………..
Author’s signature
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my supervisor PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, Csc. for guidance,
encouragement and never ending patience. I also want to extend my thanks to Hannah
Griffiths, Mustafa Coban, Tom McComb and Matt Mahady for kindly reviewing the corpus
of idioms and being very supportive.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction …................................................................................................................... 1
2 Definition of Idiom …........................................................................................................ 2
2.1 Definitions from General Sources ….............................................................................. 2
2.2 Linguists' definitions ….................................................................................................. 3
2.3 Definition for the Present Thesis …................................................................................ 6
3 Plant Idioms …................................................................................................................... 7
4 Research Questions and Methodology ….......................................................................... 8
4.1 Research Questions ….................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Methodology for Compiling the Corpus of Idioms ….................................................... 8
4.3 Idiom Analysis Methodology …..................................................................................... 9
4.3.1 Total Correspondence .................................................................................................11
4.3.2 Close Correspondence …........................................................................................... 11
4.3.3 Partial Correspondence ….......................................................................................... 12
4.3.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence …..................................................... 14
4.3.5 Non Correspondence …............................................................................................. 15
5 Idiom Analysis …............................................................................................................. 16
5.1 Total Correspondence …............................................................................................... 16
5.1.1 Total Correspondence – Tree Idioms …..................................................................... 16
5.1.2 Total Correspondence – Flower Idioms …................................................................ 16
5.1.3 Total Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …........................................................16
5.1.4 Total Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms …............................................ 17
5.1.5 Total Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ….......................................................... 17
5.2 Close Correspondence .................................................................................................. 18

5.2.1 Close Correspondence – Tree Idioms ….................................................................... 18
5.2.2 Close Correspondence – Flower Idioms …............................................................... 18
5.2.3 Close Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …....................................................... 19
5.2.4 Close Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms ................................................ 21
5.2.5 Close Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ….......................................................... 22
5.3 Partial Correspondence ................................................................................................. 24
5.3.1 Partial Correspondence – Tree Idioms ...................................................................... 24
5.3.2 Partial Correspondence – Flower Idioms .................................................................. 25
5.3.3 Partial Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms .......................................................... 26
5.3.4 Partial Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms .............................................. 27
5.3.5 Partial Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ............................................................ 29
5.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence............................................................. 30
5.4.1 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Tree Idioms .................................. 30
5.4.2 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Flower Idioms .............................. 32
5.4.3 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms ..................... 33
5.4.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms .......... 35
5.4.5 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ........................ 39
5.5 Non Correspondence ................................................................................................... 42
5.5.1 Non Correspondence – Tree Idioms .......................................................................... 42
5.5.2 Non Correspondence – Flower Idioms ...................................................................... 43
5.5.3 Non Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …......................................................... 44
5.5.4 Non Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms................................................... 44
5.5.5 Non Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ................................................................ 45
6 Statistics …....................................................................................................................... 46
6.1 Groups of Plants …....................................................................................................... 46
6.2 Total Correspondence.................................................................................................... 46
6.3 Close Correspondence ….............................................................................................. 47
6.4 Partial Correspondence …............................................................................................ 48
6.5 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence …........................................................ 49
6.6 Non Correspondence …................................................................................................ 51
6.7 Analysis of the Native Speakers' Views …................................................................... 52
7 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 53
Résumé ............................................................................................................................... 56
Bibliography ....................................................................................................................... 58
1 Introduction
This thesis is a comparative study of English and Czech idioms which contain plant
lexemes. The aim of this thesis is to find out how many plant idioms correspond in the two
languages, on what levels and to what degree.
In Chapter 2, a brief overview of definitions of idiom is given, using both general
and academic sources. From these sources, a definition of idiom for the purposes
of the present thesis has been compiled.
In Chapter 3, the choice and importance of plant idioms is explained. Plant idioms
are divided into 5 groups (Tree Idioms, Flower Idioms, Other Plants Idioms, Fruit and
Vegetable Idioms and Plant Parts Idioms) and a brief description is provided for each
of these groups.
Chapter 4 describes the aims of this thesis and introduces the methodology used
to achieve these aims. First, it describes the process of creating the corpus of idioms used.
Then, it describes the methodology used in the actual analysis of the corpus.
Chapter 5 provides a detailed analysis of all idioms compiled in the corpus. Pairs of
idioms are divided into categories and subcategories (introduced in Chapter 4) according to
the degree of their correspondence.
In Chapter 6, the data is analyzed statistically and organized into tables.
Conclusions about similarities in the two languages are drawn from the figures.
Chapter 7 summarizes the thesis and contains the results of the analysis.
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2 Definitions of Idiom
To give a simple definition of idiom that would encompass all entities that are commonly
viewed as idiomatic pieces of language and that would describe all properties of all idioms,
is very difficult. Therefore, in this part of the thesis various sources will be used to give
a variety of definitions to form as complex a picture of what an idiom is as possible.
Firstly, definitions from general sources like dictionaries and encyclopedias are
employed, secondly, several different definitions by linguists, both English and Czech,
are provided, and, lastly, my characteristics of idiom, which was compiled from the above
mentioned sources and is used for the present thesis, is given.
2.1 Definitions from General Sources
Dictionaries and linguistics encyclopedias offer the most general definitions of idioms and
therefore serve as a basic tool, a starting point of research for the present thesis.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (1976: 533) says that idiom is
a “peculiarity of phraseology approved by usage though having meaning not deducible
from those of the separate words.” Webster's New World Dictionary (1991: 670) gives
a similar but more detailed definition of idiom: “a phrase, construction, or expression that
is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual
syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken
together.” Finally, the Encyclopaedia of Linguistics, Information and Control (1969: 667)
states that idiom is “a habitual collocation of two or more words whose combined meaning
is not deducible from a knowledge of the meanings of its component words and of their
grammatical syntagmatic relations to each other.”
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Let us summarize the definitions from general sources: idiom is a habitual unit
of language, the meaning of which cannot be traced by taking its elements apart.
2.2 Linguists' Definitions
One of the crucial characteristics of idioms is that they are very diverse. This presents
a persistent problem when trying to establish a unified definition that would encompass all
critical perspectives.
As Egan (2008: 1) states in the first line of his essay, “idioms are strange.” And Čermák
(2007: 84) adds: “the more anomalies a phraseme displays, the more idiomatic it is and
vice versa.” Not only are idioms diverse in their forms, ranging from one-word expression
to whole sentences; in addition, linguists who have attempted to craft a definition
of the notion have also displayed a great array of diversity, including and excluding
different pieces of language as idioms and introducing new systems of terminologies and
classifications.
Nevertheless, despite the difficulties inherent in crafting a precise definition
of idiom, it is possible to establish some general foundational principles that most
of the definitions share. Information provided by general sources establishes the following
starting point: idiom is a habitual unit of language, the meaning of which cannot be traced
by taking its elements apart. More detail, however, is required.
Glucksberg (2001: 68) says that “idioms are a subset of the fixed expressions
in a language community,” other fixed expressions being, for example, compounds, names,
movie and book titles. What sets idioms apart, according to Glucksberg (2001: 68),“is their
'non-logical' nature, that is, the absence of any discernable relation between their linguistic
meaning and their idiomatic meaning.” So far, Glucksberg's thoughts match the definition
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derived from the general source materials. Further on, Glucksberg (2001: 68, 73) points out
that not all idioms are fixed or frozen: “Some idioms are syntactically flexible, appearing,
for example, in both active and passive forms. (...) Some idioms can also be modified
internally. (...) Semantic variations that make sense (...) are also permissible.”
Non-compositionality is, for many linguists, an important characteristics of idiom.
As Kavka (2003: 14) summarizes: “While free combinations are regarded as compo-
sitional, and collocations as semi-compositional, idioms proper are viewed generally
as non-compositional.” However, a difficulty arises here, since some linguists do not see
non-compositionality as a feature that all idioms share. In fact, Gluckberg (2001: 73)
states:
In noncompositional idioms, no relation between the idiom's constituents and
the idiom's meaning can be discerned. (...) In partially compositional idioms, some
relationship between an idiom's constituents and its idiomatic meaning can be
discerned and exploited. (...) In fully compositional idioms, the constituents map
directly onto their idiomatic referents.
To show how complicated the notion of idioms is, let us now briefly mention
Keysar's and Bly's (1999) paper Swimming Against the Current: Do Idioms Reflect
Conceptual Structure? in which they describe a set of experiments with old idioms,
proving that it is very hard to guess the meaning of an unknown idiom, and therefore very
problematic to label an idiom as compositional.
Kavka (2003: 17) also mentions figuration as an important property of idioms,
since very often they add vividness, beauty and other characteristics to the utterance.
Kavka (2003: 18) also points out that idioms “are typically associated with relatively
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informal and colloquial registers, namely with popular speech and oral culture.”
What Kavka (2003: 20) regards as the most reliable criterion for idiomatic
expressions is conventionality. He goes as far as to state that it is “the fundamental
characteristics of all idiomatic expressions possible.” This definition mirrors the phrases
“habitual unit of language” and “fixed expression” which were mentioned earlier.
Čermák (2007: 258) summarizes the features of idioms that “may be suspected to
be universals” as following:
– underlying (syntagmatic and paradigmatic) anomaly,
– deficient and restricted function and transformation capacity,
– entropic, accidental, non-modelled formation
– functional analogy to the word-class and sentence function,
– economical, abstract, as well as vague denominative quality,
– ready-made pragmatic tool quality,
– non-additive (non-Fregean) function (and meaning) of constituents.
Čermák (2007: 258)
In the end of this section, two more up-to-date and not as deeply explored and
elaborated theories need to be mentioned.
In their paper Hair of the Frog and other Empty Metaphors: The Play Element
in Figurative Language, Ritchie and Dyhouse (2008) point out that some idioms may have
been created by a word-play process, highlighting rhythm, rhyme and playfulness aspects.
Egan is an advocate of the theory of pretense. In his essay, Egan (2008: 385) holds
that “the parts of sentences containing idioms all retain their usual semantic values, and are
composed in the usual way, but the sentence is assigned nonstandard truth-conditions
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by processing its literal content through a pretense.” Further on, Egan (2008: 387) explains
that:
Each idiom has an associated pretense, and interpreting an idiom is a two-step
process. First, we get the literal content of the sentence via the usual compositional
process. This tells us what to pretend. Then we use the principles of generation
to figure out what would have to actually be the case in order for the principles
of generation to make the literal content fictional. This gives us the idiomatic truth
conditions for the sentence.
From the above-mentioned definitions and characteristics of idioms it can be
concluded that they form a very complicated group of expressions which does not have
clear-cut boundaries. The main features of idioms, according to the various theories, are:
conventionality, non-logical nature, restricted variation and modification, informality and
playfulness.
2.3 Definition for the Present Thesis
For the purposes of the present thesis, idiom is defined as a piece of language (a word,
a phrase or a sentence) that has all or most of the following features:
– conventionality
– meaning cannot be figured out from its parts
– restricted variation and modification
– informality
– language play and/or humorous element
– included in the idiom dictionary and/or contributed by native speakers
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3 Plant Idioms
Plant idioms are quite numerous in both the Czech and English language because they
reflect the environment in which people live: gardens, forests and fields. They also reflect
upon agriculture; some plants are more important and more common in one type
of agricultural context than in another. Due to the interesting and inspiring shapes and
colors of different plants and their parts, plant idioms are exceptionally vivid in their
imagery and are often used for various kinds of comparison. Very often they also contain
an element of humor and language play, which makes them even more interesting.
In the present thesis, the group of plant idioms is further subdivided into
the following groups:
– Tree Idioms
This group contains idioms with lexeme tree (strom) and tree species lexemes (hyponyms
of the lexeme tree), e.g. oak.
– Flower Idioms
Idioms in this group contain lexemes for plants whose main feature is their blossom.
General lexemes flower and blossom and their Czech equivalents are included. Also,
idioms with verbs to bloom (kvést) and to blossom (kvést) are included.
– Other Plant Idioms
As the title of this group suggests, it contains idioms with lexemes that are neither trees
nor do they have distinct blossoms. Lexemes like grass (tráva), bush (keř) and clover are
included. Also it was decided to include idioms with the lexeme mushroom (houba)
although they are not, technically speaking, plants. This choice was made because
mushrooms and plants share similar features and idioms containing the houba lexeme are
relatively numerous in the Czech language.
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– Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
Idioms in this group contain the general lexeme fruit; fruit and vegetable lexemes like
apple (jablko), carrot (mrkev) and potato (brambora); and lexemes for plant parts that are
edible but are not generally considered to be fruit or a vegetable, e.g. kmín (caraway).
Sometimes it is difficult to draw the line between fruit/vegetable lexemes and lexemes that
should be included under the group of Other Plants. The criteria was this: if the idiom
conveys the idea of a part of plant that is edible, it is fruit/vegetable; if the idiom conveys
the idea of whole plant, as in lézt někomu do zelí (sneak into someone's cabbage) in which
zelí stands for the field of cabbage, the idiom falls into Other Plants Idioms group.
– Plant Parts Idioms
This group contains idioms with lexemes like root (kořen), branch (větev) and bud. Also,
dead parts of plants and plant materials are included: stump (pařez), stick (klacek, palice),
wood (dřevo) and straw (sláma, stéblo).
4 Research Aims and Methodology
4.1 Research Aims
The present thesis aims to compare the system of Czech and English idioms that contain
plant lexemes. This includes the comparison of grammatical, lexical, stylistic and semantic
levels of idioms. Special emphasis has been placed upon all instances of correspondence
between Czech and English idioms. Instances of correspondence were then analyzed
in order to find common identifiable patterns.
4.2 Methodology for Compiling the Corpus of Idioms
Two major sources were used to compile the corpus of idioms: dictionaries (general
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English dictionaries and idiom dictionaries, both monolingual and bilingual) and
interviews with native speakers of both languages.
After the corpus had been compiled using dictionaries of both languages, four
native speakers of English (two British, an American and a Canadian) were asked
to contribute plant idioms that had not been included. As the next step, the native speakers
of English were asked to review the corpus of idioms and mark those idioms which they
had never before encountered and/or which they considered outdated. These idioms are
marked in the corpus using superscript as follows:
AmX ... never encountered by the speaker of American English
BrX ... never encountered by the speaker of British English
CX ... never encountered by speaker of Canadian English
AmO ... considered old-fashioned by the speaker of American English
BrO ... considered old-fashioned by the speaker of British English
CO ... considered old-fashioned by the speaker of Canadian English
A brief analysis of findings from the native speakers of the above mentioned
Englishes is to be found at the end of the present thesis.
4.3 Idiom Analysis Methodology
The idiom analysis methodology used in this thesis has been inspired by the methodology
Jana Vokáčová uses in her dissertation. She divides body part, animal and color idioms into
three major categories (2008: 62-67): total correspondence (further subdivided into 100%
correspondence and overall correspondence) in which “an idiom in one language
is expressed in the language with which it is compared by an idiom which agrees on
several levels-stylistic (...), semantic and formal;” partial correspondence (this category
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is also further subdivided into several subcategories according to the differences in the
lexical components, e.g. expressiveness x neutrality) in which “the idioms it contains
demonstrate a certain degree of correspondence but are not similar enough to be called
totally corresponding;” and non correspondence which encompasses “idioms which do
not have any equivalent and (...) all idioms which are expressed non-idiomatically.”
In the present thesis, plant idioms from the two languages (English and Czech)
are divided into five categories according to the correspondence of their semantic, stylistic,
lexical and grammatical level:
– total correspondence
– close correspondence
a) use of a different form of the plant lexeme
b) use of a different part of speech for the plant
c) use of different lexical means
d) use of a different word order
– partial correspondence
a) use of different lexical means except for the plant lexeme
b) use of a different plant lexeme
c) use of cohyponyms
d) use of hyponyms/hyperonyms
e) use of different lexical means
– plant idiom/non plant idiom correspondence
a) use of one corresponding lexeme
b) use of the same grammatical means
c) plant lexeme x animal lexeme
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d) plant lexeme x body part lexeme
e) no common lexical/ grammatical features
– non correspondence
a) use of a non-idiomatic expression
b) no equivalent expression
4.3.1 Total Correspondence
Pairs of idioms that fall into the category of total correspondence agree on semantic,
stylistic, lexical and grammatical levels.
tremble/quake like an aspen třást se jako osika
The above idioms have the same semantic meaning (both of them mean to shiver from cold
or fear), they are stylistically neutral, use the same lexical means (tremble = quake = třást
se, aspen = osika) and have the same grammatical structure (like = jako).
4.3.2 Close Correspondence
The close correspondence category consists of idioms that have the same denotational
meaning and contain a corresponding plant lexeme. However, the form of the plant lexeme
might be slightly different in the two languages (singular x plural, singular x collective,
neutral x diminutive). Also, some of the other lexemes that the idioms consist of might be
slightly different (use of a different preposition) or have a different word order. The idioms
in this category correspond very closely, but because of these minor differences they
cannot be considered as fully corresponding. The category of close correspondence
is further divided into the following subcategories:
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a) use of a different form of the plant lexeme (e.g. singular x plural, singular x
collective, neutral x diminutive, neutral x old-fashioned)
there is no rose without a thorn není růže bez trní
English singular (thorn) x Czech collective (trní)
b) use of a different part of speech for the plant (e.g. adjective x noun, noun x verb)
mushroom cloud atomový/jaderný hřib
The mushroom shape of nuclear cloud is expressed by adjective mushroom in English and
noun hřib (a mushroom) modified by adjectives atomový/jaderný (nuclear) in Czech.
c) use of different lexical means (i.e. other than the plant lexeme)
take the fruit of the tree of knowledge jíst ze stromu poznání
Both idioms mean ''to gain experience,'' the act of gaining is conveyed by different lexical
means: English take the fruit of and Czech jíst ze (eat from).
not see the wood/forest for the trees pro stromy nevidět les
The corresponding Czech idiom has a different word order: for the trees not see the wood.
4.3.3 Partial Correspondence
The category of partial correspondence is a very broad one. The idiom pairs contained
therein have the same denotational meaning and each idiom contains a plant lexeme.
However, the idioms differ significantly on both lexical and grammatical levels. These
divergences serve as a basis for further subdivision:
Idioms in this category contain the corresponding plant lexeme but cannot be considered
as closely corresponding, since they differ significantly on a lexical level. The denotational
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meaning remains the same.
roses all the way procházka růžovým sadem
Both idioms use the plant lexeme rose (English roses x Czech adjective růžovým (rose)).
The Czech idiom provides a very similar picture as the English one but expresses it via
different lexical means: a walk through a rose orchard.
The lexical, grammatical and stylistic levels stay the same, plant lexemes differ.
be as green as grass být zelený jako brčál
English grass x Czech brčál (myrtle)
The plant lexemes used in these partially corresponding idioms have the same hyperonym.
have eyes like forget-me-nots mít oči jako čekanka/čekanky/chrpy/len
English forget-me-nots x Czech čekanka/čekanky/chrpy/len (succory/succories/corn-
flowers/flax). All of these plants are cohyponyms of a hyperonym flower.
In one idiom a hyperonym plant lexeme is used, the other contains a hyponym of this
hyperonym.
push up daisies čichat ke kytičkám
English hyponym daisies x Czech hyperonym kytičkám (little flowers).
Also, different verbs are used in these two idioms: English push up x Czech čichat ke
(smell).
The entire idiom is expressed with different lexical means in the other language. However,
it is considered to be partially corresponding, since it contains a plant lexeme (which
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is different than the plant lexeme of the first idiom).
be out off one's tree být dutý jako pařez (be hollow like a stump)
4.3.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence
The category of plant idiom/non plant idiom correspondence contains pairs of idioms
that have a plant lexeme in one language only. The expression in the other language
is idiomatic and has the same denotational meaning but lacks any plant lexeme. This
category is a very broad one and it is very difficult to further subdivide it. Some
of the idiom pairs clearly belong to more than one subcategory, but it was decided to
include them in only one subcategory, according to this principle: lexical features
are stronger than grammatical ones. Word to word translation of the Czech idioms
is provided to allow for comparison.
Idioms in this category are divided among these subcategories:
Idioms in this subcategory have at least one corresponding lexeme in common.
money doesn't grow on trees peníze nepadají z nebe (money doesn't fall
from heaven)
Corresponding lexemes in this pair: money = peníze. Also, both idioms contain negations.
Idioms in this subcategory share the same grammatical structure, their lexical structure
differs significantly.
být zdravý jako buk/dub/lípa (be as fit as a be as fit as a fiddle

beech/oak/lime)
Both idioms use comparison structure.
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In the pair of idioms, one language uses a plant lexeme, the other language uses an animal
lexeme. Other lexical features usually differ, as does grammatical structure.
he could charm the birds out of the trees vymámil by z jalové krávy tele (he could
charm a calf out of a barren cow)
The Czech idiom replaces birds with tele (calf) and trees with krávy (cow).
In the pair of idioms, one language uses a plant lexeme, the other language uses a body
part lexeme. Other lexical features usually differ, in addition to grammatical structure.
být hubený jako sušinka/souška (be skinny be like a bag of bones

like a little dead tree)
The Czech idiom uses the diminutive form of word for dead tree - sušinka/souška,
the English idiom contains body part lexeme bones.
e) no common lexical/grammatical features
The pairs of idioms in this subcategory share no common features except for the same
denotational meaning.
4.3.5 Non Correspondence
Non correspondence category contains plant idioms that do not have idiomatic
counterparts in the other language. The category is further subdivided into two sections:
This subcategory contains plant idioms that have no idiomatic counterpart in the other
language, however, the meaning of the idiom can be expressed by other means: one-word
non idiomatic expression, collocation, non-idiomatic sentence.
be at the top of the tree být na vrcholu kariéry
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The concept, expressed by a plant idiom in one language, does not exist in the other
language.
5 Idiom Analysis
5.1 Total Correspondence
5.1.1 Total Correspondence - Tree Idioms
tremble/quake like an aspen AmX BrX CX třást se jako osika
5.1.2 Total Correspondence - Flower Idioms
blossom (out) rozkvést

flower children květinové děti
flower power květinová síla/síla květin
the flower of sth výkvět něčeho
business is flourishing obchod vzkvétá
have eyes like forget-me-nots AmX BrX mít oči jako pomněnky
be as chaste/pure as a lily být nevinný/čistý jako lilie/lilium
be/go/turn red as a poppy být rudý/červený, zrudnout/zčervenat jako
(vlčí) mák
be as pretty as a rose být krásná jako růže
blush like a rose být červený/začervenat se jako růže
BrX
sub rosa sub rosa
5.1.3 Total Correspondence - Other Plants Idioms
grass tráva
Colloquial idiomatic expression for marijuana.
hear the grass grow BrX slyšet trávu růst
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British native speakers consulted never came across this form of idiom, they suggested see
the grass grow, which falls into the close correspondence category.
5.1.4 Total Correspondence - Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
apple of discord AmO CX jablko sváru

banana republic banánová republika
bear fruit nést ovoce
forbidden fruit zakázané ovoce
harvest the fruits of something sklízet plody něčeho
sour grapes kyselé hrozny
look like one just bit into a lemon tvářit se jako když kousne do citrónu
a tough nut tvrdý oříšek
crack a tough nut rozlousknout tvrdý oříšek
go down/collapse like a sack of potatoes svalit se jako pytel brambor
keep tossing something like a hot potato přehazovat si něco jako horký brambor
have eyes like sloes BrO mít oči jako trnky
5.1.5 Total Correspondence - Plant Parts Idioms
look for a needle a haystack/bundle of hay hledat jehlu v kupce sena

sleep like a log spát jako špalek/poleno
money is the root of all evil peníze jsou kořenem všeho zla
root out something vykořenit něco
put down roots somewhere zapustit někde kořeny
burn like straw hořet jako sláma
thorny path trnitá cesta
AmX BrO CX
have eyes on stalks mít oči na stopkách/šťopkách
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5.2 Close Correspondence
5.2.1 Close Correspondence - Tree Idioms
No idioms in this subcategory.
bear/carry off the palm AmX BrX CX odnést si palmu vítězství
English palm x Czech palma vítězství (palm of victory)
take the fruit of the tree of knowledge jíst ze stromu poznání
Both idioms mean “to gain experience,” the act of gaining is conveyed by different lexical
means: English take the fruit of and Czech jíst ze (eat from).
not see the wood/forest for the trees pro stromy nevidět les
Czech idiom has different word order: for the trees not see the wood.
5.2.2 Close Correspondence - Flower Idioms
wilt like a lily zvadnout jako lilium
Neutral lily x old-fashioned lilium (lily)
be like a rose among thorns být někde jako růže mezi trním
English plural thorns x Czech collective trní
18
there is no rose without a thorn není růže bez trní
English singular (thorn) x Czech collective (trní)
b) use of a different plant part of speech
the sky is cornflower blue CO nebe je modré jako chrpa
In the English idiom, cornflower is an adverb modifying adjective blue. In the Czech
idiom, chrpa (a cornflower) is a noun and the construction is therefore slightly different:
the sky is blue like a cornflower.
be rosy-cheeked mít tváře jako růžičky
English adjective x Czech diminutive noun růžičky (have cheeks like little roses)
flowery phrases květnatá řeč
English phrases x Czech řeč (speech)
be as pretty as a rose in bloom být hezká jako z růže květ
English a rose in bloom x Czech z růže květ (from a rose bloom)
she is like a shrinking/modest little violet CX je skromná jako fialka/fialinka
A different word order in Czech idiom: she is modest like a little violet.
5.2.3 Close Correspondence - Other Plants Idioms
19
b) use of a different plant part of speech
be flaxen-haired mít vlasy jako len
English compound adjective x Czech noun len (to have hair like flaxen)
mushroom cloud atomový/jaderný hřib
The mushroom shape of nuclear cloud is expressed by adjective mushroom in English and
noun hřib (a mushroom) modificated by adjectives atomový/jaderný (nuclear) in Czech.
the grass is always greener on the other side jinde je tráva vždycky zelenější
of the fence/hill
Instead of more specific on the other side of the fence/hill, the Czech idiom contains
general adverb jinde (anywhere else).
look to one's laurels AmX CX nespat na vavřínech
English look to x Czech nespat na (not sleep on). Also, the Czech idiom does not use the
possessive form.
rest on one's laurels usnout na vavřínech
English rest on x Czech usnout na (fall asleep on). Again, there is no possessive in the
Czech idiom.
spring up like mushrooms růst jako houby po dešti
English spring up x Czech růst (grow), Czech idiom is more detailed: po dešti (after rain).
be like a reed tossed in the wind být jako třtina ve větru
The Czech idiom does not contain lexeme tossed.
20
be like wormwood BrX být hořký jako pelyněk
The Czech idiom contains adjective hořký (bitter).
5.2.4 Close Correspondence - Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
almond eyes oči jako mandle
The Czech idiom uses noun (x English adjective) in like-structure (eyes like almonds).
cucumber time AmX BrX okurková sezóna
English time x Czech sezóna (season)
The speaker of Canadian English suggested idiom cucumber season, which he, however,
was not completely sure existed. The pair of idioms cucumber season = okurková sezóna
would fall into the category of total correspondence.
stolen fruits are the sweetest BrO zakázané ovoce chutná nejlíp
English stolen x Czech zakázané (forbidden)
English are sweeter/the sweetest x Czech chutná nejlíp (taste the best)
Despite the major lexical differences (only the lexeme fruits=ovoce stays the same), both
of these idioms agree on both semantic and stylistic levels and contain the same structure –
superlative.
21
there is enough dirt behind his ears to sow mít špínu za ušima, že by tam mohl
half a ton of potatoes AmX BrO brambory sázet
Dirt is modified with enough and potatoes are modified with half a ton in the English
idiom, these modifications are missing in the Czech idiom.
The English idiom uses existential structure (there is), while the Czech idiom uses
the verb mít (to have). The English idiom uses infinitive of purpose (to sow), the Czech
idiom contains conditional construction by mohl sázet (one could sow).
These two idioms use slightly different lexical means and grammatical structures
but the most significant lexemes (potatoes=brambory, dirt=špínu) are the same. In both
idioms, an element of humor is involved.
The speaker of Canadian English suggested a shorter form of this idiom: have
potatoes behind one's ears.
5.2.5 Close Correspondence - Plant Parts Idioms
plant the seed of doubt zasít semínko pochybností
English neutral x Czech diminutive
sow the seeds of discord zasít semeno sváru
English singular x Czech plural
not be wooden nebýt dřevo
English adjective wooden x Czech noun dřevo (wood)
22
nip something in the bud zničit/udusit něco už v zárodku
English nip x Czech zničit/udusit (destroy/stifle). Also, the Czech idiom adds proverb už
(right).
get to the root of the matter jít na kořen věci
English get to x Czech jít na (go onto)
take roots somewhere zakořenit někde
English verb phrase take roots x Czech verb zakořenit (root in)
have hair the colour of straw mít vlasy jako slámu
The English idiom contains lexeme color, the Czech idiom does not contain this lexeme
and uses the word jako (like) for comparison.
take a thorn out of someone's flesh CX vytrhnout někomu trn z paty/nohy
English flesh x Czech paty/nohy (heel/foot)
be like a wisp of thistledown AmO BrX CX být slabý jako pápěří
English like a wisp of x Czech weak like
be made of wood AmX BrO CX být jako ze dřeva
English be made of x Czech být jako ze (be like of)
knock on/touch wood zaklepat něco na dřevo
In the Czech idiom, the verb zaklepat (knock) takes an object. Only the verb zaklepat
(knock) is acceptable in the Czech idiom.
stand there like a lump of wood CX stát tam jako dřevo
Czech idiom does not contain lexeme lump.
23
d) use of different word order
5.3 Partial Correspondence
5.3.1 Partial Correspondence - Tree Idioms
be slender as a willow/be willowy být štíhlá jako bříza

být (štíhlý/rovný/urostlý) jako jedle/topol
To convey the concept of slimness, Czech idioms use lexemes bříza (birch, which
connotates a female), jedle (fir) and topol (aspen, which implies a male).
be out off one's tree být dutý jako pařez (be hollow like a stump)
be up a (gum) tree AmX CX být v pěkný rejži (be in pretty rice)
24
5.3.2 Partial Correspondence - Flower Idioms
life is not a bed of roses život není procházka růžovým sadem

nemít na růžích ustláno
The semantic meaning of the English idiom is expressed by two very similar Czech
idioms. Both Czech idioms contain a form of plant lexeme růže (rose):
adjective: život není procházka růžovým sadem (life is not a walk through a rose orchard)
plural noun: nemít na růžích ustláno (not to have bed made on roses)
roses all the way AmX BrX CX procházka růžovým sadem
Both idioms use the plant lexeme rose (English roses x Czech adjective růžovým (rose)).
The Czech idiom gives a very similar picture to the English one but expresses it utilizing
a different lexical means: a walk through a rose orchard.
be yellow as a cowslip AmX BrX CX být žlutý jako citrón (lemon)
be as pretty as a rosebud být krásná jako růžička (little rose)
be as fresh as a daisy být svěží jako růžička (little rose)
have eyes like forget-me-nots AmX BrX mít oči jako čekanka/čekanky/chrpy/len
English forget-me-nots x Czech čekanka/čekanky/chrpy/len (succory/succories/corn-
flowers/flax)
as fresh as a flower AmX CX svěží jako růžička (as fresh as a little rose)
25
push up daisies čichat ke kytičkám
English hyponym daisies x Czech hyperonym kytičkám (little flowers). Also, a different
verb is used in each of these two idioms: English push up x Czech čichat ke (smell).
she is like a rosebud BrO je jako poupě/poupátko
English hyponym rosebud x Czech hyperonym poupě (bud)/poupátko (little bud)
pick a daisy AmX CX odskočit si za keříček (jump behind a little

bush)
be lotus-eating BrX mít se jako prase v žitě
Czech idiom mít se jako prase v žitě (live like a pig in rye) is more general than the English
idiom be lotus-eating, which is used as a description of a posh holiday in an exotic
destination.
as fresh as a rose být jako poupátko (be like a little bud)
need to get roses in one's cheeks BrX být jako bledule (be like a snowflake)
5.3.3 Partial Correspondence - Other Plants Idioms
a) use of different lexical means except for the plant idiom
be as green as grass být zelený jako brčál (be as green as myrtle)
live like a pig in clover BrO mít se jako prase v žitě (live like a pig in
rye)
26
grass widow AmX BrX CX slaměná vdova (straw widow)
grass widower AmX BrX CX
slaměný vdovec (straw widower)
have hair like seaweed mít vlasy jako šnytlík (have hair like chive)
weed tráva (grass)
Colloquial expression for marijuana.
be as delicate as a green-house plant být skleníková květinka
English hyperonym plant x Czech hyponym květinka (little flower).
In the Czech idiom, the adjective delicate is missing.
be entwined like the honeysuckle and the vinout se k někomu jako liána/psí víno
bindweed AmX BrX CX (entwine somebody like a liane/wild vine)
weed out something oddělit zrno od plev (separate grain from

chaff)
5.3.4 Partial Correspondence - Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
be like peaches and cream mít broskvovou pleť (have peach

complexion)
sit like a cabbage AmX BrO CX sedět jako pecka (sit like a stone)
27
fruit bukvice (beech nut)
Vulgar idiomatic expression for a homosexual man.
nut makovice (poppy-head)

melon palice (stick)
bean kokos (coconut)
Humorous idiomatic expressions for a head.
go as red as a beetroot/beet zčervenat jako rajče
Beetroot and rajče (tomato) are cohyponyms of hyperonym vegetables.
The speaker of Canadian English is only familiar with this variation: turn beet red.
have lips like cherries mít rty jako jahody/maliny
Cherries, jahody (strawberries) and maliny (raspberries) are cohyponyms.
apple-knocker AmX BrX CX čouhá mu sláma z bot (he has straw sticking
out from his shoes)
follow through for sour apples AmX BrX CX dostat čočku (be given lentils)
dostat houby s voctem (be given mushrooms
and vinegar)
be as green as a gooseberry AmO BrO CX být bledý jako zelinka/zelenka (be as pale
as a green plum)
play gooseberry AmO BrO CX dělat někomu kořena/křena (act as a root/

horseradish for someone)
28
she's a peach (of a girl) to je děvče jako jahoda/malina/lusk (the girl
is like a strawberry/raspberry/pod)
5.3.5 Partial Correspondence - Plant Parts Idioms
rip something to matchwood BrX nadělat z něčeho třísky (make matchwood

out of something)
feel the sap rising again AmX CX dostávat druhou mízu (be getting the second
sap)
be a thorn in one's flesh/side být někomu trnem v očích (be a thorn in

one's eyes)
sit like a bump on a log BrX sedět jako bluma/pecka (sit like a
plum/stone)
it is not worth a straw AmX CX nestojí to za špetku tabáku (it is not worth a
pinch of tobacco)
not care/give a straw/two straws AmX CX houby si z něčeho dělat (not care
mushrooms about something)
za mák o něco nedbat (not care poppyseed)
grasp/catch at straws/a straw chytat se stébla (catch at a blade)
be a thorn in one's ass AmX BrO CX být osina v prdeli
English thorn x Czech awn. Also, the Czech idiom does not contain a possessive.
29
saw logs BrX řezat dříví
English hyponym logs x Czech hyperonym dříví (wood). Both idioms mean to snore.
make hay of something udělat z něčeho kůlničku na dříví (make

a shed for wood of something)
have hayseed in one's hair sláma mu leze z bot (he has straw sticking
out from his shoes)
be like a young sapling být pružný jako proutek (be springy like a
twig)
be like a wisp of straw být slabý jako třtina (be weak like cane)
go to seed BrX být odkvetlá (be past blossoming)
Both idioms are used to describe middle-age women.
run to seed BrX jít k šípku (go to briar)
Both idioms mean to deteriorate in condition, the Czech idiom is slightly more expressive.
to be wooden-headed mít v hlavě piliny (have sawdust in head)
5.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence
5.4.1 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence - Tree idioms
have/be heart of oak AmX BrX CX mít statečné srdce (have brave heart)
money doesn't grow on trees peníze nepadají z nebe (money doesn't fall
from heaven)
30
be barking up the wrong tree být na špatné adrese (be at a wrong address)
be off one's tree být úplně mimo (be totally off)
číhat na někoho za bukem (lurk for lurk round the corner

someone behind the beech)
kluk jako buk (boy like a beech) a broth of a boy AmX BrX CX
být vedle jak ta jedle (be out/off like a fir) be miles out/off
mít volšový nohy (have alder feet) have two left feet
mít volšový ruce (have alder hands) have two left hands AmX CX
b) use of same grammatical means
být zdravý jako buk/dub/lípa (be as fit as a be as fit as a fiddle

beech/oak/lime)
he could charm the birds out of the trees vymámil by z jalové krávy tele (he could
charm a calf out of a barren cow)
být hubený jako sušinka/souška (be skinny be like a bag of bones

like a little dead tree)
hučet do někoho jako do dubu (talk to talk to a brick wall/a doorpost

someone like to an oak)
spát jako dub (sleep like an oak) be dead to the world
stát/mlčet jako dub (stand/be silent like maintain a stony silence
an oak)
stromek se má ohýbat, dokud je mladý spare the rod and spoil the child
(a sapling should be being bent when it is
young)
31
5.4.2 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence - Flower Idioms
come up smelling like a rose vyjít z něčeho s čístým štítem (come up

from something with a clean shield)
be milk and roses AmX BrO CX být holka krev a mlíko (be girl blood and
milk)
where are the last year's roses AmX BrX CX kdeže loňské sněhy jsou (where are the last
year's snows)
gather ye rosebuds while you may BrO CO užívej života, dokud můžeš (enjoy your life
while you may)
být/bejt čertovo kvítko/kvítko z čertovy be a little imp/devil

zahrádky (be a little devil's flower/a flower
from devil's garden)
tvářit se jako lilium (look a lilium) look a picture of innocence
je toho jako kvítí (they are like flowers) they are like pebbles/sand on the beach
být pěkný kvítko (be a pretty little flower) be a bad/rotten egg

je toho jako šafránu (it is as scarce as it's as scarce as frog's/hen's teeth CX
crocus)
No idioms in this category.
a tall poppy AmX BrX CX vyčuhovat z davu/z řady (be sticking out of
a crowd/a line)
come up roses jít jako po másle/na drátkách (go like on
butter/little wires)
everything's/it's all roses jde to jako po másle/na drátkách (go like on
butter/little wires)
jen kvést (be just blooming) be a picture of health
32
trpělivost přináší růže (patience brings good things come to those who wait
roses)
5.4.3 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence - Other Plants Idioms
good wine needs no bush AmX CX dobré zboží se chválí samo (quality goods
praise itself)
a bird in hand is worth two in the bush vrabec v hrsti je lepší než holub na střeše (a
sparrow in hand is better than a pigeon on
the roof)
be as green as grass CX být zelenáč (be a greener)
go to grass CX
jdi k čertu (go to devil)
AmX BrX CX
like an owl in an ivy bush jako sůva v nudlích (like an owl in noodles)
die/wither on the vine zajít na úbytě (wither on decrease)
tvářit se jako když kousne do šťovíku (look look sour as vinegar

one's bitten into redshank)
AmX
všechna sláva- polní tráva (all glory - field the paths of glory lead but to the grave
BrO CX
grass)
vypadat jako strašák do zelí (look like a look like a scarecrow
scarecrow for cabbage)
házet flintu do žita (throw the gun into rye) throw in the towel/sponge
it's like a grain of wheat in a bushel of chaff je to jako kapka v moři (it's like a drop in
AmX BrO CX
the sea)
být kyselý jako šťovík (be as sour as be as sour as vinegar

redshank)
be as deceitful as a snake in the grass být falešný jako kočka (be two-faced like
a cat)
pít jako houba (drink like a mushroom) drink like a fish
33
vycákat si rákos (drain the cane) drain the lizard
not let the grass grow under one's feet nesedět se založenýma rukama (not sit with
folded arms)
být/chodit ještě na/po houbách (still be/be be still a twinkle/gleam in one's father's eye
walking mushrooming)
Houby! (mushrooms!) My eye! AmO BrX CO
beat about/around the bush chodit kolem něčeho jako kolem horké kaše
(walk around something like around hot
porridge)
bush telegraph BrO tamtamy (tomtoms)
on/through the grapevine jedna paní povídala (a lady said that)
go to grassCX patřit do starýho železa (belong to the old
iron)
go to grassCX natáhnout bačkory (put on slippers)
sow one's wild oats CX vybouřit se (storm oneself out)
být dutý jako bambus (be hollow like not know a blind/damn thing
bamboo)
být houby platné (be mushrooms useful) be a fat lot of use
být na houby (be for mushrooms) be no bloody good
dělat někde oleandr/křoví (play oleander/ be part of the backcloth AmX BrX CX
bush somewhere)
kápnout někomu pelyňku do něčeho (drop put a damper on someone's something
wormwood into something for someone)
rozumět něčemu jako koza petrželi be like a duchess with a spade CX
(understand something like a goat under-
stands parsley)
jít s něčím k šípku (go to briar with go to hell
something)
mít IQ šumící trávy (have IQ of grass in the be thick as two short planks
wind)
lézt někomu do zelí (sneak into someone's poach on someone's preserve/territory
cabbage)
34
být bit jako žito (get beaten up like rye) get the hiding of one's life BrO
5.4.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence - Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
an apple for the teacher BrX šplhat u učitele (climb for the teacher)
run off like a little boy caught stealing utéct jako malý kluk (run off like a little
apples boy)
be full of beans být plný energie (be full of energy)
be not worth a bean/a row of beans/a hill of nestojí to ani za fajfku tabáku (be not worth
beans/beans a pipe of tobacco)
give somebody beans AmX BrX CX dát někomu za vyučenou (give somebody
education)
not have a bean AmX CX nemít ani vindru (not have a cent)
bring something to fruition dovést něco k vítěznému konci (bring
something to the victorious end)
prodat/zradit někoho za mísu/míru sell/betray someone for a mess of pottage BrX

čočovice/ čočovici (sell/betray someone for CX
a bowl/ mess of lentil pottage)
pivo je jak křen (the beer is like a beer and a half BrX CX
horseradish)
dát někomu na kokos (give someone on the give someone a hiding
coconut)
starej paprika (an old pepper) an old stick-in-the-mud
mít nos jako ředkvičku (have nose like a have a button nose
radish)
look like a lemon AmX CX vypadat jako jelimánek (look like a booby)
mluví jako když má v puse horký brambor speak like if someone has marbles in their
(speak like if someone has a hot potato in mouth CX
their mouth)
kouká, jako by spadl z jahody/maliny/višně he looks as if he doesn't know which way to
(he looks as if he fell from a strawberry/ turn
raspberry/ cherry)
35
být zdravý jako křen/tuřín/řípa (be as be as fit as a fiddle
healthy as horseradish/swede turnip/turnip)
je toho/jich jako máku/maku (they are like they are like the pebbles on the beach
poppyseed)
být nejhrubšího zrna (be of the roughest be of the deepest dye AmX BrO CX
grain)
banana head AmX BrO CX hlava skopová (mutton head)

top banana velké zvíře (big animal)
bush bobr (beaver)
A vulgar idiomatic exression for female pubic hair.
take a sledge-hammer to crack a nut CX jít s kanónem na vrabce (hunt sparrows

with a cannon)
be as like as two peas in a pod podobat se jako vejce vejci (look alike like
two eggs)
be small potatoes být malá ryba (be a small fish)
je to jako když hrách na stěnu hází (it's like it's like water off a duck's back
throwing peas at the wall)
jsou tam namačkáni, že by ani jablko they are packed like sardines there
nepropadlo (they are packed there that an
apple would not fall through)
být padavka (be a fallen-down fruit) be chicken
apple polishing BrX CX lézt do zadku (climb into the butt)

cherish st like the apple of one's eye opatrovat co jako oko v hlavě (treat
something like the eye in one's head)
be as cool as cucumber zachovat chladnou hlavu (maintain cool
head)
be off one's nut nemít to v hlavě v pořádku (not be right in
one's head)
know one's onions AmX BrO CX mít něco v malíčku (have something in
36
one's little finger)
cornfed girl CX
holka krev a mlíko (girl blood and milk)
she is strawberries and cream holka krev a mlíko (girl blood and milk)
prolévat slzy jako hráchy (cry tears like cry one's eyes/heart out
peas)
načapat/chytit někoho na hruškách/luskách/ catch someone red-handed
švestkách (catch someone stealing
pears/pods/ plums)
to je jako mandle (it is like an almond) it melts in your mouth like butter
zvednout někomu mandle (lift someone's have someone's guts for garters AmX CX
almonds)
strouhat někomu mrkvičku (grate a little thumb one's nose at somebody
carrot for someone)
apple of Sodom AmX BrX CX nahoře huj, vespod fuj (hey on surface, yuck
underneath)
apples and oranges nebe a dudy (sky and bagpipes)
as sure as God made little apples AmX BrX CX jako že je nebe nade mnou (as heaven is
above me)
they are as like as an apple to an oyster AmX
to je jako nebe a dudy (it's like sky and
BrX CX
bagpipes)
freeze someone's apricots AmX BrX CX udělat někomu čáru přes rozpočet (make a
line across someone's budget)
drive someone bananas přivádět někoho k šílenství (bring someone
to crazyness)
go bananas chytit rapla
be off one's bean CX být jako střelený (be like shot)
know how many beans make five AmX BrX CX mít zdravý selský rozum (have healthy farm
common sense)
not to know beans about nemít o něčem ani páru (not have any steam
about something)
spill the beans vyzvonit něco (ring something out)
the carrot and (the) stick (approach) (metoda) cukr a bič ((method of) sugar and
whip)
pop a cherry připravit dívku o věneček (steal the little
wreath from a girl)
37
hoary chestnut AmX CX fousatý vtip (hairy joke)
the milk in the coconut AmX CX
na/pro zmatení nepřítele (to confuse the
enemy)
the smell of garlic takes away the smell of vyhánět čerta ďáblem (chase out imp with
onionAmX CX devil)
be nuts about something být do něčeho blázen (be crazy into
something)
do one's nut AmX CX chytit rapla
not for nuts CX ani za nic na světě (not for anything
in the world)
squeeze/suck the orange dryCX vytěžit z toho, co se dá (mine as much from
it as possible)
be as like two peas in a pod podobat se jako vejce vejci (be as like
an egg to an egg)
like a ripe plum/plums spadnout do klína (fall in the lap)
have a plum in one's mouth CX mít zlato v hrdle (have gold in one's throat)
mít hlas jako zvon (have voice like a bell)
be a couch potato být bábovka (be a cake)
být pecivál (be an oven liar)
great harvest of a little corn AmX BrX CX mnoho povyku pro nic (much ado about
nothing)
serve corn (on the cob) mít řečí jak Palacký (be wordy like Palacký)
eat the seedcorn BrX CX
nemít ani na slanou vodu (not have enough
money even for a salt water)
bramborová medaile (potato medal) booby prizeCX

být vymačkaný jako citrón (be squeezed out be worn to a shred/shadow
like a lemon)
je to jako když hrách na stěnu hází (it is like I might as well have saved my breath to
throwing pees on the wall) cool my porridge AmO BrO CX
preach to the converted/choir
plow the sand
shovel shit against the tide AmX CX
whistle/spit in the wind
být někomu na hruškách (be on someone's poach on someone's preserve/territory CX
pears)
sníst/slupnout něco jako jahodu/malinu/ make short work of something
rozinku (eat something up like a straw-
38
berry/raspberry/ raisin)
natlouct si kokos (bruise one's coconut) come a cropper AmO CX
nerozumět něčemu ani za mák (not not know the first thing about something
understand something for poppyseed)
to pravé ořechové (the right nutty) be just what the doctor ordered
be just the thing
that's the stuff/ticket
dostat někoho do pěkný rejže (get someone put someone in hot water
into pretty rice)
vytáhnout někoho z rejže (pull someone out get someone out of a mess
of rice)
mít nos jako ředkvičku (have nose like a have a button nose
radish)
sebrat si svých pár/pět švestek (pick one's get/gather together one's bag of tricks
pair of/five plums)
clear out bag and baggage CX
pack one's bag
mít IQ tykve (have IQ of a squash) be a brick short of a load
be a sandwich short of a picnic
5.4.5 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence - Plant Parts Idioms
the last straw poslední kapka (the last drop)

have legs like tree-stumpsCX mít nohy jako od piána/jako kuželky (have
legs like from a piano/like skittles)
have legs like treetrunks mít nohy jako džbány (have legs like jars)
být z jiného dřeva (be from different wood) be cast in a different mould
ležet jako dřevo (lie like wood) lie there like a wet sack
to je jako hučet/mluvit do někoho jako do it's like talking to a brick wall/a doorpost
dřeva (it is like cajoling/talking to someone
like to wood)
dát někomu přes palici (give someone over give someone a hiding
the stick)
být hluchý jako pařez/špalek/poleno (be as be as deaf as a post/doornail
39
deaf as a stump/log)
přiložit si polínko na oheň (add a log to the add fuel to the flames
fire)
dostat pecku (get a stone) get one's bell rung
hrát na plný pecky (play at full stones) play at full-blast
jako když (kouzelným) proutkem mávne as if at the wave of a wand
(as if someone waves a (magic) stick)
nechávat si něco někde na semeno (keep keep something on ice
something somewhere for the seed)
dostat pořádnou šlupku (get a good peel) get one's bell rung
mít peněž jako šlupek (have money like have pots of money
peels)
be as dry as brushwood být suchý jako troud (be as dry as tinder)

BrX
it's as easy as falling off a log je to jasný/jednoduchý/lehký jako facka/den
(it's as clear/easy as a slap/day)
mít zdravý/dobrý/tuhý kořen/kořínek (have have an iron constitution

a healthy/good/tough root/little root)
vzít si něco do palice (take something into take something into one's head
one's stick)
být hloupý/tupý/blbý jako pařez (be as be as thick as two short planks
silly/dull/stupid as a stump)
to je jako mlátit prázdnou slámu (it's like it's like flogging a dead horse
flailing the empty straw)
it's like milling the wind
it's like plow the sand
neither hay nor grass AmX BrX CX telecí léta (calf age)
find the root of the trouble najít zakopaného psa (find the buried dog)
it's the straw that broke the camel's back tisíc nic umořilo vola (thousand nothings
worn out the ox)
je takový dobrák, že by na něm mohl wouldn't say boo to a goose AmO CX

dříví/polena štípat (he is so good that you
40
could cut wood/logs on him)
to je jako nosit dříví do lesa it's like bringing owls to Athens AmO BrX CX
mít tvrdou/svou palici (have a tough/one's be pig-headed
own stick)
strašit někomu v palici (be haunted in one's have bats in one's belfry CX
stick)
mít vlasy jako roští (have hair like bush) have a rat's nest in one's hair
hold out/offer an olive branch nabídnout ruku k smíru (offer a hand for
peace)
make bricks without straw AmX BrO CX dělat něco na koleně (make something
on the knee)
a man of straw/straw man bezpáteřník (no-spine man)
mít v hlavě drtiny/řezanku/slámu/otruby/ have nothing between the ears

plevy (have sawdust/chopped straw/straw/
pollard/ chaff in one's head)
otlouct někomu něco o palici (pound shove something up someone's ass
something over someone's stick)
stébla/stéblo křížem nepřeložit (not put a not lift a finger
straw across)
podřezávat pod sebou větev (be cutting the cut one's own throat BrX
branch under oneself)
hit the hay jít do hajan

make hay while the sun shines kuj železo dokud je žhavé (hammer the iron
while it is hot)
a roll in the hay rozdat si to s někým (deal with someone)
in a nutshell v kostce (in a cube)
be rooted to the spot sedět jako přibitý (sit like nailed down)
destroy something root and branch CX udělat čistku (do cleaning)
root and branch CX sakum pikum
cut out (the) dead wood udělat čistku (do cleaning)
put the wood to someone dát někomu co proto (give someone what
because)
41
být dřevo (be wood) be a clumsy clot AmX CX
vysázet peníze na dřevo (give money on the give cash on the nail/barrel head
wood)
růst/vyrůstat jako (to) dříví v lese (grow up let the children run wild
like wood in the forest)
házet někomu klacky pod nohy (throw put a spoke in one's wheel CX
sticks under someone's feet)
překročit bludný kořen (step over a wander We are not in Kansas anymore!
root)
být na palici (be on stick) be not right in the head
vtlouct někomu něco do palice (pound knock something into someone
something into someone's stick)
mlčet jako pařez (be silent like a stump) stay buttoned up
dát někomu pecku (give someone a stone) knock somebody for sixCX
jet na plný pecky (go on full stones) give a hundred and ten percent
je jako když proletí roštím (look as if one look as if one has been pulled through a
has flew through bush) hedge backwards AmX CX
vzplanout jako sláma (catch fire like straw) go up in flames
nevydělat si ani na šlupky (not make not have a pot to piss in (expressive)
enough money enough for peels)
barely make ends meet
mít se jako nahý v trní (live like a naked in have struck/hit a bad patch
thorns)
sedět někde jako na trní (sit somewhere like be on pins/tenterhooks
on thorns)
být z něčeho na větvi (be on a bow because be wonder-struck
of something)
5.5 Non Correspondence
5.5.1 Non Correspondence - Tree Idioms
be at the top of the tree AmX být na vrcholu kariéry, nemít další možnost
postupu nebo povýšení
tall oaks from little acorns grow CO z něčeho malého může vzniknout něco
42
velkého
být opuštěný/stát někde jako hruška v be left all alone

(širém) poli (be left alone/stand somewhere
like a pear tree in (vast) fields)
být něčí vrba (be someone's willow) be someone's confidant
5.5.2 Non Correspondence - Flower Idioms
consider the lilies CX nedělejte si starosti

gather life's roses užívat si života
děvče jako karafiát (a girl like a carnation) lively, pretty girl
b) no eqivalent expression
as welcome as (the) flowers in May/spring

lay up in lavender AmO BrX CO
gild/paint the lilyCX
a rose by any other name would smell as
sweetCO
a rose is a rose is a rose BrX CO
mít oči jako fialky (have eyes like violets)

kvést do krásy (bloom into beauty)
43
5.5.3 Non Correspondence - Other Plants Idioms
beat the bushes/brush CX hledat něco úplně všude

bush league babral
cotton picking zatracený
ivy league nejlepší univerzity v USA (Harvard, Yale,
Princeton, ...)
feel one's oats BrX být plný energie
get one's oats BrX dosáhnout svého
be off one's oats BrX CX nemít apetit
clinging vine BrX žena velmi závislá na svém manželovi
Houby! (Mushrooms!) nonsense!

kniha/sešit jako salát (a book/notebook like the book is falling apart
a lettuce)
salátové vydání (lettuce edition) the book is falling apart
a rolling stone gathers no moss
obrůstat (už) mechem (be overgrowing with

moss)
5.5.4 Non Correspondence - Fruit and Vegetable Idioms
banana belt AmX CX tropické kraje

cherry-top policejní auto
have a second bite at the apple/cherryCX dostat ještě jednu šanci
old chestnut CX starý vtip
from soup to nuts BrX CX
od začátku do konce
the nuts and bolts of something základní praktické znalosti oboru
if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys CX když málo platíš, tak se nediv
44
to go pear-shaped nepodařit se
the rough end of the pineapple AmX CX
špatné/hrubé zacházení
CX
hold one's potatoes být trpělivý
Irish apricot/apple/plum BrX brambora, ertepla
meat and potatoes základní, ale nepostradatelné věci
strain the potatoes AmX BrX CX vymočit se
give sb/blow the raspberry
mít nos jako bramboru/okurku (have nose

like a potato/cucumber)
zadek jako dva stroužky česneku/dva kmíny
(have butt like two cloves of garlic/two
caraways)
5.5.5 Non Correspondence - Plant Parts Idioms
a) use of non-idiomatic expression
branch out mít pobočky

hay eater AmX BrX CX běloch
a man of straw AmX BrO CX člověk, který si půjčuje a nedokáže to splácet
a man of straw/ straw man něco k odvedení pozornosti od skutečného
problému
straw in the wind náznak budoucího vývoje
bejt praštěnej polenem be dizzy

být přes kořeny nesený (be carried over the be very precious
roots)
mít vlasy jako pochcanou slámu (have hair have dirty blond hair (neutral expression)
like pissed on straw)
grass roots movement

straw names AmX BrX CX
45
6 Statistics
In this part of the thesis, the data is analyzed statistically and organized into tables.
The figures represent the number of pairs of idioms (and the percentage they represent)
which belong to the given groups and categories. If an idiom has several equal
counterparts, it is still considered to form only one pair.
A brief analysis of the data is given for each category. Possible explanations are
provided and conclusions are drawn.
6.1 Groups of Plants
Tree Idioms Flower Other Plants F.+V. Idioms Plant Parts total
Idioms Idioms Idioms
total 27 54 66 122 107 376
% 7. 2% 14. 3% 17. 6 % 32. 4 % 28. 5% 100%
As can be seen from the above table, the most numerous group of the field of plant idioms
are the fruit and vegetable idioms, followed by plant parts idioms. Idioms containing
flower lexemes and other plant lexemes are almost equal in number. The least numerous
group is the group of tree idioms.
6.2 Total Correspondence
total 1 9 2 12 8 32
% 0. 3% 2. 4% 0. 5% 3. 2% 2. 1% 8. 5%
Pairs of idioms that correspond on all levels are the least numerous. Most corresponding
idioms can be found in fruit and vegetable group (which is the most numerous).
46
Interestingly, quite a lot of totally corresponding idioms are in the flower idioms group
which is the second least numerous. From this, a conclusion can be drawn that both
languages share similar notions about flowers.
6.3 Close Correspondence
Subcategories:
total a) 0 3 0 0 2 5
% 0% 0. 8% 0% 0% 0. 5% 1. 3%
total b) 0 2 2 1 1 6
% 0% 0. 5% 0. 5% 0. 3% 0. 3% 1. 6%
total c) 2 2 6 3 9 22
% 0. 5% 0. 5% 1. 6% 0. 8 % 2. 4% 5. 9%
total d) 1 1 0 0 0 2
% 0. 3% 0. 3% 0% 0% 0% 0. 5%
total 3 8 8 4 12 35
% 0. 8% 2. 1% 2. 1% 1. 1% 3. 2% 9. 3%
There are slightly more idioms that correspond closely than idioms that correspond totally.
However, this category is the second least numerous. The most numerous is subcategory
c). Groups of tree idioms (which is the least numerous group) and, surprisingly, fruit and
vegetable idioms show the least number of corresponding pairs. As in the category
47
of totally corresponding idioms, the largest number of corresponding idioms is in the group
of plant parts idioms (the most numerous one). Also, a large number of corresponding
idioms are in the group of flower idioms (which is the second least numerous). This again
proves that the languages express similar notions about flowers.
6.4 Partial Correspondence
Subcategories:
total a) 0 2 0 1 3 6
% 0% 0. 5% 0% 0. 3% 0. 8% 1. 6%
total b) 0 2 6 3 5 16
% 0% 0. 5% 1. 6% 0. 8% 1. 3% 4. 3%
total c) 1 2 0 2 0 5
% 0. 3% 0. 5% 0% 0. 5% 0% 1. 3%
total d) 0 3 1 0 1 5
% 0% 0. 8% 0. 3% 0% 0. 3% 1. 3%
total e) 2 4 2 5 7 20
% 0. 5% 1. 1% 0. 5% 1. 3% 1. 9% 5. 3%
total 3 13 9 11 16 52
% 0. 8% 3. 5% 2. 4% 3. 0% 4. 3% 13.8%
48
The category of partially corresponding idioms shows that about 13.8% of the time, idiom
pairs use different plants to convey the same meaning. If contrasted with the number
of idiom pairs that use the same or slightly modified plant lexeme in both languages (total
correspondence 8.5% + close correspondence 9.3%), it can be demonstrated that more
idioms actually use the same plant to convey the same idea than idioms that use a different
plant.
As in previous two categories, pairs of flower idioms are quite numerous in this
group, even though they are not a very numerous in number, compared to the other groups.
This again hints that the two languages use flower-based idioms to convey the same ideas.
There are not very many partially corresponding idioms in the fruit and vegetable group,
especially considering that it is the biggest one.
6.5 Plant idiom/non plant idiom correspondence
Subcategories:
e) no common lexical/ grammatical features
Since only one idiom from the pair contains a plant lexeme, the table is further subdivided
into the number of English idioms containing plant lexemes and Czech idioms containing
plant lexemes (first number gives the total, numbers in brackets follow this pattern:
English/Czech).
49
Tree Idioms Flower Other Plants F.+V. Plant Parts total
Idioms Idioms Idioms Idioms
total a) 9 (4/5) 6 (4/2) 10 (6/4) 12 (7/5) 15 (3/12) 52 (24/28)
% 2. 4% 1. 6% 2. 7% 3. 2% 4. 0% 13. 8%
(1.1/1.3) (1.1/0.5) (1.6/1.1) (1.9/1.3) (0.8/3.2) (6.4/7.4)
total b) 1 (0/1) 1 (0/1) 2 (1/1) 6 (1/5) 6 (2/4) 16 (4/12)
% 0. 3% 0. 3% 0. 5% 1. 6% 1. 6% 4. 3%
(0/0.3) (0/0.3) (0.3/0.3) (0.3/1.3) (0.5/1.1) (0.8/3.2)
total c) 1 (1/0) 2 (0/2) 3 (1/2) 9 (6/3) 8 (3/5) 23 (11/12)
% 0. 3% 0. 5% 0. 8% 2. 4% 2.1% 6. 1%
(0.3/0) (0/0.5) (0.3/0.5) (1.6/0.8) (0.8/1.3) (2.9/3.2)
total d) 1 (0/1) 0 3 (1/2) 12 (7/5) 7 (3/4) 23 (11/12)
% 0.3% 0% 0. 8% 3. 2% 1. 9% 6. 1%
(0/0.3) (0.3/0.5) (1.9/1.3) (0.8/1.1) (2.9/3.2)
total e) 4 (0/4) 5 (3/2) 16 (6/10) 40 (27/13) 25 (9/16) 90 (45/45)
% 1. 1 % 1. 3% 4. 3% 10. 6% 6. 6% 23. 9%
(0/1.1) (0.8/0.5) (1.6/2.7) (7.2/3.4) (2.4/4.3) (12/12)
total 16 (5/11) 14 (7/7) 34 (15/19) 79 (48/31) 61 (20/41) 204
(95/109)
% 4. 3% 3. 7% 9. 0% 21 % 16. 2% 54. 3%
(1.3/2.9) (1.9/1.9) (4.0/5.0) (12.8/8.2) (5.3/11) (25.3/29)
The category of plant idiom/non-plant idiom correspondence, in which only one member
of the pair of idioms contains one plant lexeme, is the most numerous, taking up about half
of the corpus of idioms collected for this thesis. There are several possible reasons for this
fact. One of the explanations might be that Czech and English are from different language
families and they do not share very many common influences. For example, the influence
of other Slavic languages is missing in the history of the development of English language.
On the other hand, there is very little French influence in the Czech language. The next
significant factor might be the presence of a different climate, and, therefore, a different
type of agriculture in the English speaking countries. A relevant example to illustrate this
fact are the English idioms with bean/beans. In some parts of the U.S., beans are very
50
common. However, beans are not that widely grown and eaten in the Czech Republic,
therefore, there is no idiom containing the lexeme fazole (beans).
The most numerous groups of idioms are fruit and vegetable idioms, plant parts
idioms and other plants idioms, which corresponds to their overall share. The most
numerous subcategory by far is e) no common lexical/grammatical features, in which the
idioms in the pair share only the same denotational meaning. It represents almost one
quarter of the whole corpus, showing the variety of the language means.
6.6 Non Correspondence
Subcategories:
a) use of non-idiomatic expression
In this category, only one member of the English/Czech or Czech/English pair
of expression is idiomatic and contains a plant lexeme. For this reason, the table is further
subdivided into the number of English idioms containing plant lexemes and the number
of Czech idioms containing plant lexemes (first number gives the total, numbers in
brackets follow this pattern: English/Czech).
Tree Idioms Flower Other Plants F.+V. Plant Parts total

Idioms Idioms Idioms Idioms
total a) 4 (2/2) 3 (2/1) 11 (8/3) 13 (13/0) 8 (5/3) 39 (30/9)
% 1. 1 % 0. 8% 2. 9% 3. 4% 2. 1% 10. 4%
(0.5/0.5) (0.5/0.3) (2.1/0.8) (3.4/0) (1.3/0.8) (8.0/2.4)
total b) 0 7 (5/2) 2 (1/1) 3 (1/2) 2 (2/0) 14
(9/5)
% 0% 1. 9% 0. 5% 0. 8% 0. 5% 3. 7%
(1.3/0.5) (0.3/0.3) (0.3/0.5) (0.5/0) (2.4/1.3)
total 4 (2/2) 10 (7/3) 13 (9/4) 16 (14/2) 10 (7/3) 53 (39/14)
% 1. 1 % 2. 7% 3. 4% 4. 3 % 2. 7% 14. 1%
(0.5/0.5) (1.9/0.8) (2.4/1.1) (3.7/0.5) (1.9/0.8) (10.4/3.7)
51
It is quite interesting that plant idioms that have no counterpart form only about 14%
of the corpus of idioms compiled for the present thesis. The expected number was much
higher. This shows that both languages are rich in idiomatic expressions and sometimes
even offer more possibilities to complete the idiomatic pair. The most numerous group of
idioms in this category is fruit and vegetable idioms, followed by other plants idioms.
What is also interesting is that there are more English plant idioms that have
no Czech idiomatic counterparts than there are Czech plant idioms that have no English
idiomatic counterparts.
6.7 Analysis of the Native Speakers' Views
Four native speakers of English (two British, one American and one Canadian) were asked
to review the corpus of idioms compiled for the present thesis from various dictionaries.
The author of the present thesis is aware that four native speakers do not represent
a statistically reliable group, since the knowledge of idioms is a highly individual issue and
idiomatic language differs from region to region in the above-mentioned countries. Also,
the speakers all come from the same social background (middle class, university educated,
working in language related areas, age ranging from 25 to 40 years).
This said, some interesting facts were discovered. About 7% of the idioms
in the corpus have never been heard by all of the native speakers. This represents quite a
large number and shows that many idioms from the dictionaries have already disappeared
from the language or even might have never been part of it.
Another interesting fact is that 6.4% of the idioms in the corpus are known only
to the British speakers and not to the American and Canadian speaker. This proportion does
not work the other way around. Also, about 3% of the idioms in the corpus are considered
52
old-fashioned by the British speakers and at the same time are unknown to the American
and Canadian speakers. This may mean that an old-fashioned idiom might have never
made it overseas or that idioms are disappearing faster in the North American English.
However, it is very difficult to draw conclusions from these figures because the research
was focused primarily on the comparison between English and Czech idioms and there are
not enough data to prove any conclusion. The only safe statement is that British idiomatic
English differs from North American English.
The last observation that might be significant is that there are quite a lot of idioms
known to the American and British speakers but not to the Canadian speaker. They
represent about 10% of the corpus.
7 Conclusion
The present thesis has set as its aim the analysis of English and Czech idioms containing
plant lexemes. In order to do so, it was necessary to explore what idiom is, what are its
properties and explore the various views that linguists have expressed on the subject.
Having done this, it was also necessary to further describe what is meant by plant idioms
and divide them into groups.
The next step was to devise a methodology of compiling the corpus of idioms.
It was compiled from both monolingual and bilingual, general and idiomatic dictionaries
of both languages. Four native speakers of English were asked to contribute to and review
the corpus compiled from dictionaries.
Once the corpus had been compiled, a system of five categories (with various
numbers of subcategories) was devised according to the degree of correspondence
of the idiom pairs. The main feature that was examined was the presence/absence
53
of a plant lexeme, the other features were the form of the plant lexeme in the two idioms,
the grammatical structure and lexical means employed. Analysis of individual pairs
of idioms was provided.
Having divided the idioms in the categories according to the degree of their
correspondence, the data collected were statistically analyzed and organized in tables.
The following observations and conclusions have been made:
– The most numerous group of the field of plant idioms are the fruit and vegetable
idioms, followed by plant parts idioms. The least numerous group is the group of tree
idioms.
– Pairs of idioms that correspond on all levels are the least numerous. Most totally
corresponding idioms can be found in fruit and vegetable group (which is the most
numerous). A relatively large amount of totally corresponding idioms are in the flower
idioms group.
– There are slightly more idioms that correspond closely than idioms that correspond
totally.
– A large number of closely corresponding idioms are in the group of flower idioms.
– A conclusion can be drawn that both languages share similar notions about flowers.
– More idiom pairs use the same plant to convey the same idea than idiom pairs that use
a different plant.
– The category of plant idiom/non-plant idiom correspondence is the most numerous,
taking up about half of the corpus of idioms.
– The most numerous subcategory in the category of plant idiom/non-plant idiom
correspondence is e) no common lexical/grammatical features, in which the idioms
in the pair share only the same denotational meaning. It represents almost one quarter
54
of the whole corpus, showing the variety idiomatic expressions in the two languages.
– Plant idioms that have no idiomatic counterpart form only about 14% of the corpus
of idioms.
– There are more English plant idioms that have no Czech idiomatic counterparts than
there are Czech plant idioms that have no English idiomatic counterparts.
An analysis of data collected from the native speakers of English was held
in the last part of the present thesis. Several observations have been made. Firstly, about
7% of the idioms in the corpus have never been heard by any of the native speakers.
Secondly, about 9% of idioms are only known (or known and considered old-fashioned) to
the British speakers. Thirdly, about 10% of the idioms known to the American and British
speakers are not known to the Canadian speaker.
55
Résumé
Úkolem této práce je analýza anglických a českých idiomů obsahujících rostlinný lexém.
Aby bylo možno tento úkol splnit, bylo nejprve třeba definovat idiom a jeho vlastnosti
a prostudovat různé úhly pohledu, ze kterých lingvisté na idiom pohlížejí. Dále bylo také
nutno popsat, co se myslí pojmem idiom s rostlinným lexémem a rozdělit tyto idiomy
na skupiny.
Dalším krokem bylo navržení metodiky, pomocí níž by byl sestaven korpus idiomů
pro tuto práci. Tento korpus byl sestaven za použití výkladových i překladových slovníků
obou jazyků. Použity byly jak slovníky obecné, tak slovníky idiomů. Čtyři rodilí mluvčí
anglického jazyka byli poté požádáni, aby zrevidovali tento korpus a případně přispěli
dalšími idiomy.
Poté co byl sestaven korpus idiomů, byl navržen systém pěti kategorií (s různým
počtem podkategorií) podle stupně podobnosti idiomů. Hlavní zkoumaná vlastnost idiomů
byla přítomnost/absence rostlinného lexému, dále forma danného lexému a nakonec
gramatická a lexikální struktura. Byla provedena také analýza individuálních idiomů.
Páry idiomů byly rozděleny do kategorií podle stupně podobnosti a získaná data
byla vložena do tabulek a statisticky analyzována. Byly získány tyto závěry:
– Skupinou s nejvíce idiomy je skupina „Ovoce a zelenina“, následována skupinou
„Části rostlin“. Nejméně členů má skupina „Stromy“.
– Kategorie idiomů, ve které idiomy souhlasí ve všech rovinách, obsahuje nejméně
idiomů. Nejvíce idiomů, které souhlasí ve všech rovinách, je ve skupině „Ovoce
a zelenina“. Relativně velký podíl zaujímá i skupina „Květiny“.
– Idiomů, které blízce korespondují, je více než totálně korespondujících.
– Velký podíl blízce korespondujících idiomů je ve skupině „Květiny“.
56
– Můžeme vyvodit závěr, že oba jazyky sdílejí podobné vnímání květin.
– Je více párů idiomů, ve kterých je význam vyjádřen stejnou rostlinou, než těch,
ve kterých se rostliny liší.
– Největší podkategorií v kategorii „Korespondence rostlinného idiomu s nerostlinným“
je v podkategorii e) žádné společné gramatické/lexikální rysy, ve které idiomy sdílejí
pouze význam. Tato podkategorie tvoří téměř čtvrtinu korpusu, ukazujíce tak
rozmanitost idiomů.
– Rostlinné idiomy, které nemají protějšek ve druhém jazyce, tvoří pouze 14% korpusu.
– Více anglických rostlinných idiomů nemá český protějšek, než je tomu naopak.
Analýza dat od rodilých mluvčích ukázala několik zajímavých faktů. Za prvé,
se zhruba 7% idiomů z korpusu se nesetkal žádný z nich. Za druhé, asi 9% idiomů znají
(nebo znají a považují za zastaralé) pouze britští mluvčí. Za třetí, asi 10% idiomů, které
znají britští a americký mluvčí, je neznámých kanadskému mluvčímu.
57
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Masarykova univerzita

Katedra anglistiky a amerikanistiky

Bakalářská diplomová práce

2010 Magda Sučková

English Language and Literature

A Comparative study of English and Czech

Supervisor: PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, CSc.

2 Definition of Idiom …........................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Definitions from General Sources ….............................................................................. 2

2.2 Linguists' definitions ….................................................................................................. 3

2.3 Definition for the Present Thesis …................................................................................ 6

3 Plant Idioms …................................................................................................................... 7

4 Research Questions and Methodology ….......................................................................... 8

4.1 Research Questions ….................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Methodology for Compiling the Corpus of Idioms ….................................................... 8

4.3 Idiom Analysis Methodology …..................................................................................... 9

4.3.1 Total Correspondence .................................................................................................11

4.3.2 Close Correspondence …........................................................................................... 11

4.3.3 Partial Correspondence ….......................................................................................... 12

4.3.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence …..................................................... 14

4.3.5 Non Correspondence …............................................................................................. 15

5 Idiom Analysis …............................................................................................................. 16

5.1 Total Correspondence …............................................................................................... 16

5.1.1 Total Correspondence – Tree Idioms …..................................................................... 16

5.1.2 Total Correspondence – Flower Idioms …................................................................ 16

5.1.3 Total Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …........................................................16

5.1.4 Total Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms …............................................ 17

5.1.5 Total Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ….......................................................... 17

5.2 Close Correspondence .................................................................................................. 18

5.2.2 Close Correspondence – Flower Idioms …............................................................... 18

5.2.3 Close Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …....................................................... 19

5.2.4 Close Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms ................................................ 21

5.2.5 Close Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ….......................................................... 22

5.3 Partial Correspondence ................................................................................................. 24

5.3.1 Partial Correspondence – Tree Idioms ...................................................................... 24

5.3.2 Partial Correspondence – Flower Idioms .................................................................. 25

5.3.3 Partial Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms .......................................................... 26

5.3.4 Partial Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms .............................................. 27

5.3.5 Partial Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ............................................................ 29

5.4 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence............................................................. 30

5.4.1 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Tree Idioms .................................. 30

5.4.2 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence – Flower Idioms .............................. 32

5.5 Non Correspondence ................................................................................................... 42

5.5.1 Non Correspondence – Tree Idioms .......................................................................... 42

5.5.2 Non Correspondence – Flower Idioms ...................................................................... 43

5.5.3 Non Correspondence – Other Plants Idioms …......................................................... 44

5.5.4 Non Correspondence – Fruit and Vegetable Idioms................................................... 44

5.5.5 Non Correspondence – Plant Parts Idioms ................................................................ 45

6.2 Total Correspondence.................................................................................................... 46

6.3 Close Correspondence ….............................................................................................. 47

6.4 Partial Correspondence …............................................................................................ 48

6.5 Plant Idiom/Non Plant Idiom Correspondence …........................................................ 49

6.6 Non Correspondence …................................................................................................ 51

6.7 Analysis of the Native Speakers' Views …................................................................... 52

languages, on what levels and to what degree.

In Chapter 2, a brief overview of definitions of idiom is given, using both general

of the present thesis has been compiled.

the degree of their correspondence.

In Chapter 6, the data is analyzed statistically and organized into tables.

a variety of definitions to form as complex a picture of what an idiom is as possible.

mentioned sources and is used for the present thesis, is given.

2.1 Definitions from General Sources

a “peculiarity of phraseology approved by usage though having meaning not deducible

grammatical syntagmatic relations to each other.”