Revised as of
9 Feb 2023
An idiom is a phrase that is in such common usage, that most people see it as a single unit, i.e., the carrot and the stick (also a metaphor). However, the idiom cannot be guessed at from the individual meaning of the words nor is it obvious when assembled as that phrase. Kick the bucket is understood in America as to die. You’d never guess that from either kick or bucket.
An idiom is easily confused with a metaphor (and can sometimes be a metaphor).
Why Use Idioms
Idioms are used for the same reason other figures of speech are used, to add color to speeches, dialogues, stories, etc. Idioms use fewer words to convey a richer and more concise picture of what you’re saying.
For a massive variety of examples, Literary Devices has a huge list of idiom examples while The Phrase Finder.com has a great list of idioms from Shakespeare. You will be amazed how many of Shakespeare’s creations are in common use today.
Grammar Explanations is . . .
. . . an evolving list of the structural rules and principles that determines where words are placed in phrases or sentences as well as how the language is spoken. Sometimes I run across an example that helps explain better or another “also known as”. Heck, there’s always a better way to explain it, so if it makes quicker and/or better sense, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on an area of grammar with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.
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| Idiom | |||
| Part of Speech: Figure of Speech | |||
| Definition: A phrase that is common, widely understood, in everyday language and is interpreted figuratively, not literally.
Idioms that are overused are considered clichés. Post Contents |
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| Types of Idioms | |||
| Opaque Idiom | Definition: Idioms that take a bit of work to figure out. | ||
| He’s pulling your leg.
She has a green thumb. by and large spick and span chewing the fat kick the bucket sorry sight every cloud has its silver lining in a pickle the game is up |
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| Transparent Idiom | Definition: Idioms that are easily figured out. | ||
| Can you lend me a hand?
You hit the nail on the head. He laid his cards on the table for us. Mary left no stone unturned in her plan to capture Dean’s heart. Damn, Henry spilt the beans. The cat’s out of the bag now. It’ll be a cold day in Hell before I forgive you! Indy, it’s a wild goose chase. He’s got us over a barrel. Pat really missed the boat on that one. He asked me to marry him! I’m on cloud nine!! He tried, but he’d gotten out of the frying pan only to fall into the fire. I lost my train of thought. Pete is glued to the computer for hours. |
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| Cliché | Definition: A too-frequently used idiom that has become commonplace. | ||
| There is no doubt about it, it is raining.
And a good time was had by all. Have a nice day. The best thing since sliced bread. |
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| Rhyming Slang | Definition: A phonetical type of idiom in which you have to be in the know, as the standard definitions of the individual words do not related to the word being replaced. | ||
| Let’s take a butcher’s hook . . .
It’s the trouble and strife, mate. Up the apples and pears. Who’s that on the dog and bone? Can you Adam and Eve it? |
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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Grammar Explanations by exploring its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Idiom
Cambridge Dictionary
Davies, Martin. “Idiom and Metaphor??” Orange County Public Schools. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://www.mkdavies.net/Martin_Davies/Language_files/IdiomMetaphor.pdf>. PDF.
“Difference Between Metaphor and Idiom.” Knowgramming. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://knowgramming.com/idiom_and_metaphor_difference.htm>.
“Idiom.” Literary Devices. n.d. Web. n.d. <http://literarydevices.net/idiom/>.
Pinterest Photo Credits
Spanish Misrule is a cartoon by Louis Dalrymple (1866-1905) in the magazine Puck, in 1898, urging war with Spain over Cuba. The cartoon is in the public domain, via the Library of Congress.
