What are Idioms?

Study Notes

Idioms are phrases that are not meant to be taken literally but have a widely understood meaning in a given language or culture.
They are a kind of figurative language used in literature and daily speech.

The word "idiom" comes from the ancient Greek word "idioma," meaning "peculiar phraseology."
The term entered English via French and is first attested in the 1580s using its current definition.
Synonyms for "idiom" include proverb, colloquialism, localism, and expression.

Learning the meaning of a particular idiom
Finding an instance where the idiom would be appropriate
Using accurate wording for the idiom
Making even a small mistake in the phrasing or wording of an idiom can sound silly and result in a malaphor.

A mix of two idioms that can be used deliberately for comedic effect, although their meaning may be nonsensical or unclear.
Examples: "We'll burn that bridge when we come to it." / "Don't let the worms out of the bag." / "Don't count your chickens in one basket."

Pure Idioms: idioms where the components of the phrase bear no literal resemblance to the meaning of the phrase. (e.g., "Spill the beans" / "Kill two birds with one stone" / "Break a leg")
Binomial Idioms: phrases that include two words that may be opposites, usually joined by "and" or "or." (e.g., "Chalk and cheese" / "Odds and ends" / "Wine and dine")
Partial Idioms: shortened idioms that are quicker to say, but can be confusing for those who are not familiar with them. (e.g., "When in Rome" / "If the shoe fits" / "Birds of a feather")
Prepositional Idioms: idioms unique to a particular culture or place, where the preposition used changes the meaning of the phrase. (e.g., "Agree on" / "Agree to" / "Agree with")

Proverbs: figurative phrases that impart a commonly understood truth or piece of advice. (e.g., "Make hay while the sun shines" / "Fortune favors the bold" / "A leopard can't change his spots")
Euphemisms: idioms used to replace a blunt or inappropriate term with a more oblique one. (e.g., "He passed away" / "She's in a family way" / "He's not the sharpest tool in the shed")

Overused idioms that are considered unimaginative.
Examples: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" / "She's like a bull in a china shop" / "Time flies when you're having fun"

Using figurative language can make literary works richer.
Idioms can be used to give characters verbal quirks, situate a text in a particular cultural context, and even surprise readers with unusual turns of phrase.

Idioms are little packets of cultural information.
They can be helpful for giving readers indirect information about a story and about the characters' backgrounds.

Overusing idioms can result in clichés and make writing feel trite.
Misusing idioms can prevent writing from making sense and lead to embarrassing miscommunications.
Idioms can be confusing for non-native speakers to learn, especially in languages other than English.