IDIOMS Sawikain

An idiom is a phrase that, when taken as a whole, has a meaning you
wouldn’t be able to deduce from the meanings of the individual words. It’s
essentially the verbal equivalent of using the wrong math formula but still
getting the correct answer.
The phrase “kill two birds with one stone” is an example of an idiom. Fluent
and native English speakers understand that this doesn’t refer to harming
birds or using stones, but that someone is completing two tasks at once.
Our deep dive into this topic will define what an idiom is, go over the different
types, help you understand how to use them in writing, and give you some
examples.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a type of phrase or expression that has a meaning that can’t be

deciphered by defining the individual words. Appropriately, the word “idiom” is
derived from the ancient Greek word “idioma,” which means “peculiar
phraseology.”
And that’s exactly what it is—a phrase that’s normal to fluent speakers (every
language has its idioms) but strange to others.
People who struggle with idioms often can’t see the forest for the trees, which
is itself an idiom used to describe someone who’s too involved with the details
of a situation and can’t see the bigger picture at hand. It doesn’t involve any
forests or trees.
To understand idioms is to see the forest for the trees, or to look at the phrase
as a whole rather than focusing on the individual words.
4 types of idioms
Generally speaking, there are four types of idioms: pure idioms, binomial
idioms, partial idioms, and prepositional idioms. Some people may
consider clichés, proverbs, and euphemisms to be types of idioms as well,
but we’ll explain why they are different from idioms.
1 Pure idiom
This is your typical idiom, the meaning of which can’t be deduced by its
individual components. When someone says, “Spill the beans,” they’re asking
someone to reveal a secret, not to pour out a can of beans. But you wouldn’t
know that by looking at each word of that phrase.
2 Binomial idiom
This idiom is a phrase that contains two words joined by a conjunction or a

preposition. Some examples include “by and large” (everything considered),
“dos and don’ts” (guidelines on what to do and/or avoid in a certain situation),
and “heart-to-heart” (a candid conversation between two people).
3 Partial idiom
This idiom is one that’s been shortened into one part, with the second part
generally being understood by fluent speakers. People often use the partial
idiom “when in Rome,” with the understanding that the other person knows the
second part: “do as the Romans do.”
4 Prepositional idiom
This idiom is a phrase that combines a verb and a preposition to create a verb
with a distinct meaning. The phrase “agree on” is a prepositional idiom that
combines the verb “agree” with the preposition “on” and is used to express
that you share an opinion with someone.
Idiom vs. cliché
A cliché can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a cliché.
Clichés are expressions or phrases that are overused to the point where they
lose their meaning and indicate a lack of original thought. For example, there
are few people who feel better when they hear this after a breakup: “Don’t
worry, there are plenty of fish in the sea.” That phrase has been used so often
that it fails to have any impact.
Idiom vs. proverb

A proverb is similar to an idiom in that its meaning can’t be deciphered by
looking at the individual words, but it’s different because it’s used to give
advice to someone else.
If someone says, “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” they’re telling the other person
not to worry about something that has already happened. The phrase doesn’t
mean someone is crying and has nothing to do with dairy.
So once again, a proverb can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a

proverb.
Idiom vs. euphemism
A euphemism is a type of idiom that’s used to discuss a sensitive or taboo

topic in a polite or understated way. Even if you’re not personally made
uncomfortable by a subject, there is still a chance you’re using euphemisms
around it, simply because they’re common to the point of cliché. Topics like
death, sex, and money have an abundance of euphemisms. For example, “he
kicked the bucket” is a euphemism for “he died” (as well as an idiom).
How are idioms structured?
It’s difficult to define an idiom’s structure because it changes from language to

language, and it even varies in different regions that speak the same
language. Idioms have more to do with syntax—the specific order of words or
phrases—than grammar. Remember that the ancient Greek word
“idioma” means “peculiar phraseology,” so the rules for how to properly
structure an idiom are unique to a specific region.
Most New Yorkers understand the phrase “it’s mad brick” to mean that it’s
cold, but people elsewhere in the US may not understand what the phrase
means because the combination of those words is unique to New York City.
Learning the structure of a particular region’s idioms takes time and is often
achieved by speaking with people from that area.
When are idioms used?
A speaker or writer often uses idioms to convey a message to someone else

in a more creative way. Think of them as a type of spice that prevents your
conversation or writing from being too bland. So instead of saying “you’re
correct” several times, you might throw in “you hit the nail on the head” or
even “bingo” for a little variety.
When are idioms used in writing?
As mentioned above, idioms can be used to prevent your writing from

appearing too dry or formal, but they can also be used to help the writer
connect with the reader.
If you were writing for a Texan audience, and you wanted to describe
something as large, you wouldn’t just say that. Instead, you would say it’s
“bigger’n Dallas,” which means it’s very big. This shows the reader that you
have a familiarity with the topic you’re writing about.
Other types of idiomatic usage
There is another type of idiomatic usage used by fluent English speakers, and
it’s called collocations, or a combination of words that have a specific
meaning.
In English, it’s common to describe a backup of cars on the highway as

“heavy traffic.” It’s not common to describe it as “crowded traffic.” Although the
phrases could reasonably be interpreted the same way, the collocation “heavy
traffic” simply “sounds right” to English speakers.
Why are idioms challenging for language learners?
Idioms are challenging for language learners because their meanings can’t be
deciphered from the meanings of the individual words. It’s like giving someone
a jigsaw puzzle containing pieces that look like one thing, only for the finished
product to be something else entirely.
But as we mentioned before, that’s also true of people from different parts of
the same country who speak the same language.
Because there are no steadfast rules for idioms, the only way for language
learners to become familiar with them is to speak with native speakers and
have them explained.
Idiom examples
Here are some common idioms in the English language, along with their
meaning.
Under the weather Meaning: Not feeling well
Break a leg Meaning: To wish someone good luck
Once in a blue moon Meaning: Rarely
The ball is in your court Meaning: A decision is up to you
You can say that again Meaning: That is true
Beat around the bush Meaning: To avoid saying something
Hit the sack Meaning: To go to bed
Kick the bucket Meaning: To die
By the skin of your teeth Meaning: Barely made it

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An idiom is a phrase that, when taken as a whole, has a meaning you

An idiom is a type of phrase or expression that has a meaning that can’t be

This idiom is a phrase that contains two words joined by a conjunction or a

Idiom vs. cliché

A cliché can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a cliché.

Idiom vs. proverb

So once again, a proverb can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a

Idiom vs. euphemism

A euphemism is a type of idiom that’s used to discuss a sensitive or taboo

How are idioms structured?

It’s difficult to define an idiom’s structure because it changes from language to

When are idioms used?

A speaker or writer often uses idioms to convey a message to someone else

When are idioms used in writing?

As mentioned above, idioms can be used to prevent your writing from

In English, it’s common to describe a backup of cars on the highway as

Why are idioms challenging for language learners?

Under the weather Meaning: Not feeling well

Break a leg Meaning: To wish someone good luck

Once in a blue moon Meaning: Rarely

The ball is in your court Meaning: A decision is up to you

You can say that again Meaning: That is true

Beat around the bush Meaning: To avoid saying something

Hit the sack Meaning: To go to bed

Kick the bucket Meaning: To die

By the skin of your teeth Meaning: Barely made it

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