Enriching Language With Idiomatic Expressions

English idiom or idiomatic English concerns words used in combination with others. Of Greek origin, the word idiom meant "a private citizen, something belonging to a private citizen, personal," and by extension, something individual and peculiar.

An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Idioms occur frequently in all languages; in English alone there are an estimated twenty-five million idiomatic expressions.

Idiomatic expressions, then, conform to no laws or principles describing their formation. An idiomatic expression my violate grammar or logic or both and still be acceptable because the phrase is familiar, deep-rooted, widely used, and easily understandable.

Several words may be combined and lose their literal meaning and express something very far from what each word means. For example, "you are pulling my leg" means "you are fooling me" or "you are saying something not true in order to get something from me."

Many parts of the body have suggested many idiomatic expression, like the one mentioned. Other examples are: burn one's finger (do something wrong or not safe), all thumbs (awkward), stand on one's own feet (be self-sufficient or independent), keep one's chin up (be courageous).

Hundreds of idiomatic phrases contain adverbs or prepositions with other parts of speech. Examples: walk away, run off, get over, take over, get through.

Usage should conform to the idiomatic words or combination that are generally acceptable.

Here are a few common idiomatic expressions that you may use in your conversation or written work. Remember though that the artificial forcing of idiomatic expressions or colloquialism into you conversation and writing without a real understanding of their figurative means should not be done. The expressions should be used only when they fit smoothly and naturally into what is being said.

aboveboard - above suspicion; fair and honest

The people trust him because his dealings with them are always aboveboard.

all in all - considering everything, altogether.

All in all, that is my decision.

at all events - in any case

He thinks he is a big success, or at all events a wise professional man.

bear in mind - remember, be reminded of

Bear in mind that I'm doing all of this for you.

beat one to it - surpass a competitor in any contest or situation.

He thinks he will get the appointment but I will beat him to it.

better-half - slang for wife.

His better-half doesn't want him to go.

break the ice - break through reserve or stiffness.

Let's sing some jolly songs to break the ice at this party.

break the news - reveal or make known

I'll break the news about the collapse of the project to our members.

bring home - prove a point

I'll bring home to him the uselessness of his decisions.

buckle down - work with vigor and determination

We have to buckle down at once or we won't finish the work.

by all means - certainly

See the program, by all means, so that you'll know what to do.

change hands - change ownership

The business has changed hands; we expect it to be more productive now.

cheek - impudence

She had the cheek to suggest that we go on leave.

child's play - something very simple

This project is just child's play for him.

come between - interfere

Nothing can come between us.

come to mind - be remembered

This incident came to my mind when I saw her.

corner, drive into a - force into a difficult situation

Driven into a corner by his threats, she promised to pay the loan as soon as possible.

coup d'etat - violent and illegal change of government brought about swiftly and ruthlessly

We have heard many rumors of coup d'etat recently.

crocodile tears - insincere sorrow

Don't be deceived by her crocodile tears.

cut it short - be brief

Your story is too long. Cut it short.

all ears - attentive

Go ahead and tell us your plans. We're all ears.

elbow rooms - space, scope of activity

Brooks said, "Give space, scope, give it elbow room in which to work."

eleventh hour - just in time, almost at the deadline

Are you asking me to change my topic at this eleventh hour?

egg on - encourage, incite

His friends are egging him on to continue fighting.

equal to the occasion - able to cope

You can give him more responsibilities and he'll be equal to the occasion.

face the music - face criticism or scolding

Instead of facing the music, he retired from his job.

flare up - get very angry

Don't flare up when I tell you the bad news.

get wind of - to come to know

I don't know how he got wind of the vacancy.

grin and bear it - suffer without complaints

He lost the match because he didn't prepare well so now he must grin and bear it.

hang together - be united

His friends and he always hang together.

hard and fast - absolute, unchangeable

That is our hard and fast rule and nobody goes against it.

high and low - everywhere

I looked high and low for my book but I couldn't find it.

ill at ease - uncomfortable

She feels ill at ease in his company.

jump at - accept with eagerness

I'll jump at the change to work with you.

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