2. Idioms & Similes
As with similes, idioms are figurative
expressions – phrases that do not have direct
meanings.
When you say to a person that he's as swift
as a arrow, does it mean that he's really
running at that speed?
You cannot take this meaning directly but it
just means that he's really fast!
Idioms are a group of words that contain a
figurative meaning – meaning which is
based on an image (from 'figure') or in regard
to a common use of the expression.
3. Idioms
People tend to be bored with pages after
pages of dull, uninteresting language.
So it's important that you pepper figurative
speeches like similes and idioms to enliven
your essays.
Some examples of idioms are given next.
4. Idioms
A lively use of idioms is given below.
I would like to clear the air about why David is in
hot soup. It is because he has caused the boss to
see red in giving free samples to all and sundry.
He is now caught between the devil and the deep
blue sea whether he should leave the company or
stay behind.
Compare this version to:
I would like to explain why David is in trouble.
This is because he angered the boss by giving
away free samples to everyone and now he's in a
dilemma whether he should leave the company or
stay.
5. Idioms
As you would have probably guessed, idioms
help the writer to convey the intended
message indirectly, in consideration of other
people's feelings.
It is often used as a cultural tool.
Where it is polite to do so, or respectful,
idioms are used to convey a subtle
message.
Due to its colourful language, character and
variety, idioms help also to enliven the
speech/text, turning ordinary language into a
lively and engaging one!
6. Benefits of Idioms
● Similar to similes, it helps to enliven one's
speech or written works.
● It colours and varies one's language,
making it more interesting to the listener or
reader.
● It also has the effect of making a difficult
situation more manageable, helping to
diffuse conflicts or making a sad event less
so.
7. Learning Activity
● Say what these idioms mean.
1) Clear the air
2) In hot soup
3) To see red
4) All and sundry
5) Caught between the devil and the deep
blue sea
● Hint: You can think about the mental
'images' they represent to guess the
meaning.
8. Learning Activity Answers
● These idioms mean:
1) Clear the air – clear the confusion; we can
see clearly once the fog departs
2) In hot soup – in deep trouble; not a pleasant
situation to be immersed in such soup
3) To see red – angered; red represents anger
4) All and sundry – everyone; it means an
indeterminate number
5) Caught between the devil and the deep blue
sea – caught in a dilemma; both these options
are not viable
9. Discussion
● What's an idiom?
● What can idioms do?
● How do we remember an idiom or guess
the meaning of one?
10. Summary
● An idiom is a common group of words that
contain figurative meaning
● They help to enliven speech or written
works – formal or informal.
● We can remember or guess an unfamiliar
idiom through the mental image it
represents.
