English-language idioms

An <a href="/facts/Idiom/JaAk3qnW">idiom</a> is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' <a href="/facts/Denotation/oABEtLtA">denotations</a> would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below). By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements. For example, an <a href="/facts/English_language/tpkxGt7b">English speaker</a> would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" – and also to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context.
To evoke the desired effect in the listener, idioms require a precise replication of the phrase: not even articles can be used interchangeably (e.g. "kick a bucket" only retains the literal meaning of the phrase but not the idiomatic meaning).
Idioms should not be confused with other <a href="/facts/Figures_of_speech/YN7PMRnx">figures of speech</a> such as <a href="/facts/Metaphor/xwsLaqJI">metaphors</a>, which evoke an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel"); <a href="/facts/Simile/J13oqRXE">similes</a>, which evoke an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); or <a href="/facts/Hyperbole/IKXy4WgB">hyperbole</a>, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., "more powerful than a locomotive"). Idioms are also not to be confused with <a href="/facts/Proverb/g5vFjF76">proverbs</a>, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.A other example can be "green fingers".

English-language idioms open-in-new

English-language idioms