idiom
B2neutral
Definition
Meaning
A group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words.
A form of expression, grammatical construction, phrase, or linguistic pattern peculiar to a language; the characteristic style or mode of expression of a people, group, or individual.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers primarily to a linguistic unit (phrase) with non-literal meaning; can also refer to the distinctive language of a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The word itself is spelled and used identically.
Connotations
Identical core meaning and connotations. Both dialects contain their own sets of idioms.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The concept is fundamental to language learning and description.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
(Verb) + idiom: to use/understand/explain an idiom(Adjective) + idiom: a common/obscure/local idiomVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Kick the bucket”
- “Spill the beans”
- “Bite the bullet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in training materials to explain culturally specific language, e.g., 'We need to teach international staff common business idioms like 'think outside the box'.'
Academic
Common in linguistics, language teaching, and literary analysis, e.g., 'The paper analyses the syntactic flexibility of English idioms.'
Everyday
Frequently used when discussing language difficulties or quirks, e.g., 'What does 'it's raining cats and dogs' mean? Is it an idiom?'
Technical
In linguistics, a specific type of multi-word expression with non-compositional semantics and often syntactic frozenness.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- He spoke the language idiomatically after years abroad.
- The phrase was used idiomatically, not literally.
American English
- She writes very idiomatically for a non-native speaker.
- To use 'kick the bucket' idiomatically means to refer to dying.
adjective
British English
- The playwright's idiomatic use of London dialect was brilliant.
- Her French is fluent and highly idiomatic.
American English
- The translator sought the most idiomatic equivalent.
- His writing sounds natural and idiomatic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Break a leg' is a funny English idiom.
- Our teacher taught us a new idiom today.
- I often look up idioms I don't understand in films.
- 'Cost an arm and a leg' is a common idiom meaning something is very expensive.
- Mastering idioms is crucial for achieving fluency and understanding native speakers.
- The idiom 'the ball is in your court' originates from tennis.
- Her prose is richly textured with local idioms and archaic turns of phrase.
- Linguists debate the degree to which idioms permit syntactic modification, such as passivisation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IDIOM = I Don't Interpret Ordinary Meaning.' It reminds you the meaning isn't literal.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A CODE (idioms need decoding); A CULTURE IS A CONTAINER (idioms contain cultural knowledge).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'idiom' as 'идиома' when referring generally to a phrase – use 'фразеологизм' or 'устойчивое выражение'. 'Идиома' is a higher-register term in Russian.
- Avoid direct word-for-word translation of English idioms into Russian, as they often have different equivalents (e.g., 'it's raining cats and dogs' = 'льёт как из ведра').
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'idiom' with 'slang' (slang is informal vocabulary; idioms are specific phrases).
- Pronouncing it as 'ideoм'.
- Using it to mean 'idea' (a confusion with 'ideom' which doesn't exist).
Practice
Quiz
What is the best definition of an idiom?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A proverb is a complete sentence expressing wisdom or advice (e.g., 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'). An idiom is usually a phrase with a figurative meaning (e.g., 'spill the beans'). Some proverbs contain idioms.
Almost never. Translating idioms word-for-word usually results in nonsense. You must find the equivalent idiom or explain the meaning in the target language.
No. While many are informal, idioms exist across all registers, including formal and academic language (e.g., 'in light of', 'by and large').
Learn them in context (through reading/listening), understand their meaning and connotation, and note any usage restrictions (formality, region). Practice using them in appropriate situations, but avoid overloading your speech with them.