What is an idiom?
An idiom is an expression or phrase with a non-literal meaning. An idiom can only be understood by comprehending the language and culture from which it originates. The figurative meaning of idioms cannot be determined based on the definitions of the individual words.
It is much easier for native English speakers than non-native speakers learning English to understand American English idioms because of their non-literal meanings.
Use of idioms accomplishes the following:
Complexity: Idioms can simplify complex ideas while maintaining creativity. Instead of simply identifying something as cheap, describing the item as "a dime a dozen" helps intensify the description.
Humor: Idiomatic expressions often have a comedic effect. Instead of saying something will never happen, using a phrase such as "when pigs fly" adds a level of absurdity that creates a more imaginative description.
Attentiveness: Idioms help keep an audience's attention by incorporating language that is more colorful and exciting. Writers accomplish this by using words that create a mental picture (e.g., "raining cats and dogs"), making the audience interact with the information by conjuring a visual image.
Establish Tone/Mood: Idioms can imply a certain attitude toward a given subject. Instead of indicating someone has "passed away," idioms such as "kicked the bucket" or "pushing up daisies" establish a lighter mood.
Idiom examples
While idioms play a major role in everyday speech, writers also employ their use in literature and poetry:
Literature
Hamlet by William Shakespeare: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."
Idiom meaning: acting off for a reason
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: "For love is blind all day, and may not see.”
Idiom meaning: love is not superficial
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "I've got my hands full…I'm much obliged, but I couldn't take on any more work."
Idiom meaning: very busy
Poetry
"Losing Pieces" by Shel Silverstein: "Talked my head off / worked my tail off / cried my eyes out / walked my feet off / sang my heart out…"
Idiom meanings: talk for a long time, work very hard, cry a lot, walk a lot, and sing with passion
"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost: Nature’s first green is gold, / Her hardest hue to hold. / Her early leaf’s a flower; / But only so an hour. / Then leaf subsides to leaf. / So Eden sank to grief, / So dawn goes down today. / Nothing gold can stay.
Idiom meaning: nothing good lasts forever
Common idioms
The following chart contains a list of common English idioms with their meanings included:
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a dime a dozen | something common |
| back to the drawing board | start over |
| bent out of shape | be upset |
| break a leg | good luck |
| call it a day | stop working |
| costs an arm and a leg | expensive |
| cutting corners | do something in the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way |
| get out of hand | become out of control |
| hang in there | do not give up |
| hit the sack | go to sleep |
| it's not rocket science | not complicated |
| once in a blue moon | occasionally |
| to make a long story short | tell something briefly |
| piece of cake | easy |
| pull someone's leg | deceive playfully |
| pull yourself together | calm down |
| straight from the horse’s mouth | heard information from a reliable source |
| take it with a grain of salt | understand that it may be exaggerated or untrue |
| the last straw | run out of patience |
| under the weather | sick |
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