What are Idioms? Know Definition, Examples and Usage

Idioms Definition: Language is a medium to express ideas and thoughts. Idioms, an integral part of the English language, are used to convey messages in an impactful and powerful manner by use of words in an artistic manner.

Definition of Idioms

As per the Merriam Webster dictionary, an idiom is defined as “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for “undecided”) or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way).”

Understanding Idioms in Simple Terms

In simple terms, an idiom is a set of words that are used in a figurative sense. These words are used in such a way that they go beyond their literal meanings to convey something in a very robust manner.

If the words in an idiom are split into their individual parts, they may carry their literal meanings.

Examples of Idioms

Below, we have given a few examples of English Idioms so that you get a better understanding:

Idioms	Meanings
At the drop of a hat	Instantly
Flogging a dead horse	To talk about things that have no significance
Bite the bullet	Death
Burn the midnight oil	To work late in the night
Bite off more than one can chew	To take responsibility more than one can handle
The proof of the pudding is in the eating	Until and unless one experiences something firsthand, nothing can be said
Beat around the bush	To prevaricate
Bed of roses	A comfortable situation
Spill the beans	To let out a secret
Turn a blind eye	To ignore someone/something

The above examples of English idioms emphatically establish how the language can be beautifully embellished with words that go beyond their denotative meanings and add spice to one’s articulation.

English Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

All of us would have used phrasal verbs in our daily communication. They are an inseparable part of our daily vocabulary. However, many may not know that phrasal verbs too are a form of Idioms! A Phrasal Verb is a combination of two words consisting of a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb.

Here a few examples of Phrasal Verbs:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
Make over	A transformation
Make out	An assertion
Make up	Invention of a story

Usage of English Idioms

Though language is a lubricant to express one’s thoughts, it can become boring if spoken or written plainly. This is precisely the reason why figures of speech are used which only add more creativity and impact in conveying what one has to convey.

For example, here’s a common idiom we all have used since our childhood: “Bed of roses”

This idiom, as stated above in the table, means, “a comfortable situation”.

While conveying the information that life offers a lot of challenges, we can say, “Life is not a bed of roses”. This means that one has to be ready to face unexpected situations in life and face them boldly.

English Idioms Can Be Confusing

Though English Idioms are used to accomplish a desired effect, incorrect usage can result in ambiguity and perhaps, even embarrassment. For example, “Kick the bucket” is an English Idiom that means “to die”.

However, if one were to miss out the definite article “the” and replace it with another article “a”, the meaning changes completely.

“Kick a bucket” is to literally use one’s leg to displace a bucket. So one has to be very careful and cautious in using Idioms.

Cultural Significance of English Idioms

English Idioms are not just a way of articulating messages in a different kind. They can also be a mirror to things or practices that existed in the past.

For example, let’s consider the English Idiom, “Burn the midnight oil”. This means, as stated in the table, “to work late in the night”. If one considers the etymology of this Idiom, one can easily understand it predates the invention of electricity, thereby giving us an idea of how oil lamp was used extensively during those days.

Another Idiom “It’s all Greek to me” is used to express that one is not able to understand anything. The expression was used by Medieval Latin scribes as they found it next to impossible to translate Ancient Greek.

In this way, Idioms not only add variety to one’s writings and speeches, but also allow us to travel back in time to understand cultures, practices and the challenges of those times.

Language should always be a lubricant to express one’s thought and should never become an impediment, leading to confusion and chaos.

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