Proverbs, idioms, metaphors, and collocations are all examples of figurative language. The document provides definitions and examples for each type. Proverbs are short, memorable sayings that express common truths based on experience. Idioms are phrases with meanings different from the individual words. Metaphors are implicit comparisons between two unlike things that share a similarity. Collocations are words that are commonly used together, such as adjective-noun pairs. The document includes examples of each from different cultures and languages.

1. Proverb
Is a short traditional saying in general use ,it usually express some-
obvious truth or familiar experience
Proverbs are short, but memorable sayings, based on an important-
fact of experience that is considered true by many people
A proverb is a short popular saying expressing an obvious truth-
(Webster's New World Dictionary). Proverbs are based on collective
folk wisdom and have been among us for thousands of years as
guidelines for life. They're delightfully familiar reminders of childhood,
and very often convenient conversational shorthand
Examples of Proverbs
African Proverbs
(Across the vast continent of Africa, many African nations
disseminated proverbs that were meant to educate and inspire those
who used them.)
Here are a few examples of African proverbs.
“A tree is known by its fruit”
(this means that success is shown by the deeds.)
“I have been bitten by a tsetse fly”
(of Tanzanian origin – this means that a person will continuously be a
pest until you pay off a debt.)
“The word of friend makes you cry – the word of an enemy makes you
laugh”
(of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger – this means that
a friend will tell you the truth and sometimes the truth hurts, whereas an
enemy will only lead you down the wrong path by giving you advice that
seems good but is not.)

2. Asian Proverbs
Some examples of Asian proverbs :
“The old horse in the stable still yearns to run”
(This means that those who are older still have things they would like
to accomplish.)
“A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie”
(This means that a small problem can snowball into a huge problem that
can cause major damage.)
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and
you feed him for a lifetime”
(This means that teaching people is better in the long run because it
gives them the skills to provide for themselves as opposed to you doing
things for them.)
American Proverbs
Some examples of American based proverbs include:
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
(This means that when you separate from someone that you love by
putting distance between you that you will inevitably love them more
and yearn to see them.)
"All that glitters is not gold”
(This means that just because something looks good, does not necessarily
mean that it is good.)
"A monkey in silk is a monkey no less”
(This means that just because someone dresses fancy does not necessarily
mean that they are fancy or of good character.)

3. Idiom
-Most often refers to a phrase or expression that cannot be understood by
knowing what the individual words in the phrase mean
-An idiom is a group of words with a meaning that is different from the
individual parts.
Some examples
"The fat's in the fire"
(The damage is already done.)
"A flash in the pan"
(Something that looks like it will be a big success, but does not
work out).
"Hat trick"
(Scoring consecutively three times in a game).
"In a pickle"
(In an awkward or embarrassing situation.)
"The nick of time"
(Just before time is up.)
"Pull the wool over someone's eyes"
(Trick or deceive).
"Bite off more than you can chew"
(Take on more than one can handle.)
"Fill someone's shoes"
(Take someone else's place.)

4. Metaphor
-A figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two
unlike things that actually have something in common.
-Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not
alike in most ways are similar in one important way.
-Definition: Metaphor is when you use two nouns and compare or
contrast them to one another. Unlike simile, you don't use "like" or
"as" in the comparison.
There are 3 special types of metaphors:
1-Allegory: An extended metaphor wherein a story illustrates an
important attribute of the subject.
2-Catachresis: A mixed metaphor used by design and accident.
3-Parable: An extended metaphor narrated as an anecdote illustrating
and teaching a moral lesson.
Examples
- "I am a rainbow"
(Because it is comparing two nouns, a person, and a rainbow, but does
not use like or as.)
- "My girlfriend is a jewel."
- "Her home was a prison"

5. Collocation
-To place together or in proper order; arrange side by side.
-A collocation is made up of two or more words that are commonly
used together in English.
There are several different types of collocation. Collocations can be
adjective + adverb, noun + noun, verb + noun and so on. Below you
can see seven main types of collocation in sample sentences.
1. adverb + adjective
• Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
• We entered a richly decorated room.
• Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. adjective + noun
• The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
• The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
• He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. noun + noun
• Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
• The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.
• I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.
4. noun + verb
• The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
• Snow was falling as our plane took off.
• The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. Verb + noun
• The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
• I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making
my bed.

6. • He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. verb + expression with preposition
• We had to return home because we had run out of money.
• At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.
• Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. verb + adverb
• She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
• Mary whispered softly in John's ear.
• I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.
Examples
-I'll give you a call.
-I'll be in touch.
-I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
-I'll be back in a minute.
-I'll see what I can do.

7. Conjunction
-The part of speech (or word class) that serves to connect words, phrases,
clauses, or sentences.
-A conjunction is a joiner; a word that connects (conjoins) parts of a
sentence
We have three basic types of conjunction:
1-COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating conjunctions may join single words, or they may join groups
of words, but they must always join similar elements: e.g. subject+subject,
verb phrase+verb phrase, sentence+sentence.
The seven coordinating conjunctions in English are:
FOR - is to introduce the reason for the preceding clause
AND - joins two similar ideas together
NOR - The conjunction nor is not extinct, but it is not used nearly as often
as the other conjunctions. Its most common use is as the little brother in the
correlative pair, neither-nor
BUT - joins two contrasting ideas together
OR - joins two alternative ideas
YET - is very similar to 'but' as it also joins two contrasting ideas together
SO - shows that the second idea is the result of the first
Among the coordinating conjunctions, the most common, of course, are
AND, BUT and OR.

8. 2-Subordinating conjunctions
-Used to establish the relationship between the dependent clause and
the rest of the sentence.( Subordinate conjunctions connect two unequal
parts)

9. after
since
when
although
so that
whenever
as
supposing
where
because
than
whereas
before
that
wherever
but that
though
whether
if
though
which
in order that
till
while
lest
unless
who
no matter
until
why
how
what
even though

10. Examples
- Any voters who have registered can vote.
-
- After Josie studied the lab reports, she determined that Glen.
3-Correlative conjunctions
Some conjunctions combine with other words to form what are called
correlative conjunctions. They always travel in pairs, joining various
sentence elements that should be treated as grammatically equal. Here is a
brief list of common correlative conjunctions.
both . . . and
not only . . . but also
not . . . but
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
whether . . . or
as . . . as
Examples
• Either John or George must have done this mischief.

11. • Neither peter nor Andrew has passed the test.
By:Nazik Gaylan
The teacher supervisor :Mr.Mahdi
College of art /English department