What is an idiom? Definition Meaning Origin and Examples
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a type of phrase that gives a meaning different from the actual meanings of the words used in it. Idioms are commonly used in everyday conversation. Idioms are very important to a Language to progress.
Idioms and Interesting Facts about Them
1. An idiom is a phrase.
As an idiom is a type of phrase. it doesn't contain a subject and a verb. As such an idiom can not express a full meaning unless it is used in a sentence. For instance, “once in a blue moon” means ‘very rarely’. It is an idiom because it is a group of words, It doesn't contain a subject and a verb and it gives a meaning that is different from the literal meanings of the words used in it.
2. An idiom is figurative.
An idiom is figurative. It is used to express one thing by using terms which denote another because of some similarity between the two. It can not be understood based on the words used in it. For instance, “to feel under the weather” means ‘to be sick’. It cannot be understood based on the words unless you have a prior knowledge of this phrase.
3. An idiom is an essential part of a language.
An idiom is a very important part of a language. As an idiom can convey what usual words cannot and it is formed from some situation, it contributes to the language and helps it prosper and flourish. Newly added idioms save the language from dying.
4. Every community uses some certain idioms.
A language has a direct connection with civilization, culture and society. In every society, idioms are commonly found that are used knowingly and unknowingly and intentionally and unintentionally. Be it Indian, Chinese or Japanese, idioms are common to every population.
5. Idioms are used to express what literal words can not.
Idioms are common in everyday conversation. Idioms help to express or convey some idea in a way that is creative and that attracts readers or listeners. The intensity in meaning that can be created by the use of an idiom cannot be expressed by the use of normal words. For instance, “To be over the moon” means ‘to be extremely happy’. This idiom expresses the extremity of happiness that the person became so happy that they jumped and reached high on the moon.
6. Idioms are established by common usage.
Idioms are idioms when they are in common usage. People influenced by some incident start using some part of it. This way idioms are established by common usage. For instance, “Albatross around one's neck” taken from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner means ‘to carry a heavy burden’.
7. Idioms are formed from some incident, legendary story or religious book or personality.
Idioms are formed from any religious, military or political event. Idioms are also taken from religious and philosophical books. Idioms are also created from legendary supernatural stories and legendary personalities.
For instance, “to feel under the weather” “to beat around the bush” and “to read the riot act” are created from a boat event, a game hunting and a political event in Britain respectively.
8. Many linguists make an onerous effort to find the origins of idioms.
Language scientists, linguists, who study languages scientifically have dedicated their lives to tracing the origins of idioms. It's because of their constant efforts that we know many idioms by their origins. However the origins of thousands of idioms are still unknown.
10 Common Idioms in English
1. To beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid the main point
Example: Don't beat around the bush. Tell me why you're late.
2. Through thick and thin
Meaning: In every circumstance, whether difficult time or favourable
Example: Our parents are with us through thick and thin.
3. To pull somebody's leg
Meaning: To make somebody believe that they have what they actually don't in a funny way.
Example: Why are you pulling my leg, John? I'm not the topper in my class.
4. To bite the bullet
Meaning: To make a decision to do something that is difficult to do.
Example: Teaching is a difficult job, but as teachers we have to bite the bullet.
5. To see eye to eye
Meaning: To agree
Example: I will never see eye to eye with you on this matter.
6. To spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal the secret
Example: I warn you not to spill the beans.
7. To be in someone's good books
Meaning: To be someone's favourite
Example: I'm in my teachers' good books.
8. To eat a horse
Meaning: To be very hungry
Example: Give the meal quickly. I am so hungry today that I will eat a horse.
9. To be Greek to someone
Meaning: To be difficult to understand
Example: Hindi is all Greek to me.
10. To hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say something that is right do something perfectly.
Example: You hit the nail on the head! when someone did something perfectly.
Exercise 1
1. Give idiom definition.
2. Is idiom a phrase?
3. Why are idioms used in everyday conversation?
4. What are some idiom examples ?
Answer keys:
1. Idiom is a phrase consisting of some words that gives a meaning different from the literal meanings of each word used in it.
2. An idiom is a phrase.
3. Idioms are used in everyday conversation to create a great effect in the sentence.
4. Once in a blue moon, in black and white, at sixes and sevens, at the eleventh hour, to live hand to mouth are some of the examples of idioms in English.
Exercise 2
Give the meanings of the following idioms.
1. To hit the nail on the head
2. To be Greek to someone
3. To spill the beans
4. To be in someone's good books
5. To beat around the bush
Answer keys:
1. To say something that's exactly true
2. To be difficult to understand
3. To tell the secret
4. To be in a state that people are pleased
5. To avoid the central idea or main point
Exercise 3
Use the following idioms in your own sentences.
1. To eat a horse
2. To see eye to eye
3. To bite the bullet
4. To pull somebody's leg
5. Through thick and thin
Your answers:
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