What Are Idioms?

Meaning of Idiom

You may ask, What are idioms? An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a meaning in most cases cannot be comprehended directly from the word in that sentence, phrase, or expression.

Okay at this point many might liken the whole idea of an idiom to that of a proverb, but there is a loophole, that loophole has created availability of expression that distinguishes an idiom from a proverb, what is a proverb?.

Proverbs are well-known sayings, that connote a universal truth or advice, they’re maxims, adages.

The difference comes in the expression and the message being passed words like “he kicked the bucket” is not a universal truth although death is inevitable but when the person in context is a she, the whole thing becomes false. But when we talk about proverbs phrases Like “you miss 100 percent of the shots you never take” clearly stand as both an advice and the general truth.

Use of idioms

They enrich vocabularies, both collectively and individually, aside from that writer’s use of idioms in any literary work depicts his/her level of creativity and how well he/she relates something natural metaphorically.

Below are some idioms you’ll want to use as an English erudite.

Adding salt to injury: to worsen a situation.

Devil’s advocate: taking sides with the counter-argument.

Cutting corners- not attending to a task appropriately in order to save time and energy.

Caught between rocks-  a dilemma, choosing between two unpleasant decisions.

Cost an arm and a leg: something overpriced, or too expensive.

Feeling under the weather: indisposed, ill.

Getting a taste of your own medicine: receiving the same thing in quantity of what you gave someone else.

Hitting the nail on the head- being accurate.

Piece of cake- overly easy.

The elephant in the room- the pending matter.

A dime a dozen: something very common.

Beat around the bush: evade approaching a direct point by verbally stalling.

Beating a dead horse: giving time and energy to something that has already ended.

Bite the bullet: to go throw an unfavorable situation, after conceding the knowledge of its inevitability and the ability to end eventually.

Best of both worlds: having the advantages of two contrasting things at the same time

Biting off more than can be chewed: not having the capacity to undertake a task already assigned for.

By the skin of your teeth: barely making it.

By the cat’s whiskers: a close call.

Call a spade a spade: say it as it is.

Don’t judge a book by its cover: don’t jump to conclusions.

Carrot and stick: a tactic in which rewards are offered but also a threat of punishment.

Carry coals to new castle- supplying something unneeded or unnecessary.

Cast the first stone- to be the first to attack.

Castle in the Air- an impractical plan.

Cat fight- a brawl between two women.

Cat got your tongue- being short of words.

Cat on a hot tin roof- be extremely nervous.

Catch 22- a situation where there is no escaping because all alternatives are contradictory.

Caught red-handed- to be apprehended at the point of a crime.

Heard It on grapevine- hearing rumors about something or someone.

Going on a wild goose chase- going about something pointless.

A snowball affect something with great momentum that builds on each other.

Go down in flames- to fail applicably in one aspect of life.

Having one’s head in the clouds daydreaming.

It takes two to tango- one person usually isn’t the only responsible party.

Run like the wind- be swift.

Weather the storm- to endure hardship.

Back against the wall- to be in a difficult situation.

Head over heels- in love.

Up in arms- angry about something.

Cold shoulders- to ignore.

A chip off the old block- sharing similarity distinctly.

Blow your own trumpet- to boast.

Once in a blue moon- very rare.

Burning bridges- damaging a relationship beyond repairs.

Every dog has his day- everyone gets an opportunity.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away- apples are healthy and good for you, taking it frequently won’t give you reasons to see a doctor.

Throwing caution to the wind- being reckless, free, and taking risks.

Once in Rome act like a roman- behave in accordance with the norm of society.

Coach potato- a lazy person.

Iron out- identify the cause.

Clips someone’s wings- reduce someone’s privileges and will.

Cat’s paw- someone being manipulated, a tool.

Call the shots- making important decisions.

Clear the air- abate tension.

Cock and bull- a far-fetched story.

A cool day in hell- a condition for something unlikely to happen.

Come clean- to confess.

Come rain come sun- do regularly irrespective of the condition.

Come hell or high waters- no matter what.

Giving the benefit of doubt- believing a story without proof even though it appears unbelievable.

Fit to fiddle- to be in good health.

Pulling some’s leg- to joke around.

Hope you’ve learned something today, please endeavor to add some of yours.