What is an idiom? An idiom is a group of words with a symbolic, non-literal meaning which can’t be deciphered by looking at its terms. In many cases, idioms started with literal meanings but lost them as they moved away from their origins. A typical example of an idiom is ‘give up.’
What is an idiom?
To start with, just what is an idiom? While we might not be familiar with this term, the chances are we use them quite a bit in our day-to-day interactions.
An idiom is a common phrase with a meaning that cannot be understood by looking at its words. They are those funny parts of our everyday speech that we use to communicate thoughts, ideas, and feelings without referring to them literally. It’s a figurative language alongside metaphors, similes, and hyperbole.
Ever said to a friend, ‘I’m feeling a bit under the weather today’? That’s an idiom. It tells the listener how you’re feeling despite no direct mention of illness in the phrase itself.
And that’s just one example – there are thousands more. There are thought to be around 25,000 idioms in the English language alone!
What are ten good examples of idioms?
Now that we’ve figured out ‘what is an idiom?’, let’s strengthen our knowledge with a few practical examples. Here are some common examples of idioms you can share with your pupils in the classroom.
- Mad as a hatter
- It’s raining cats and dogs
- A piece of cake
- The rule of thumb
- Blow off some steam
- Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
- It’s water under the bridge
- Call it a day
- Hit the hay
- Miss the boat
While most of us may have heard of some of these common idioms, we must be careful with how and when we use them in the classroom. The figurative language of idioms can mean that their meanings can feel confusing or become lost in translation.
How do idioms get their meanings?
We’ve figured out ‘what is an idiom?’ and even looked at some practical examples, but where do they come from?
Some idiomatic phrases can be traced back to literal roots. For example, the idiom ‘spill the beans‘ originated from an Ancient Greek vote-counting system. But many idioms have unclear beginnings, including ‘it’s raining cats and dogs.’
Take a look at the meanings and origins of seven commonly used idioms below:
Run-of-the-mill. Used to describe something ordinary. This idiom originated in mills and factories in the 20th century. Then, it was used to refer to goods that were neither excellent nor poor quality.
At the drop of a hat. Meaning to do something suddenly or immediately. Like many idioms, there are a few theories on where this originated. One idea is that it comes from the 18th-century practice of dropping a hat to signal the start of a street fight.
Out of the blue. A sudden surprise or unexpected occurrence.
At sixes and sevens. Used to describe a state of confusion or panic. Originated from a 14th-century dice game.
A storm in a teacup. To make a big deal out of something trivial. The U.S. variant of this idiom is a tempest in a teapot.
Straight from the horse’s mouth. Meaning to hear from a dependable source. This idiom goes back to the 1800s when trainers would inspect horses’ teeth to check their health the day before a big race.
Let the cat out of the bag. To disclose a secret. This one originated in livestock markets in the 16th century. When live piglets were sold, they were placed in sacks for easy transportation. Some unscrupulous traders would sneakily replace piglets with cats while no one was looking. Buyers would only realize they’d been had when they got home and, you guessed it, let the cat out of the bag.
Why do we use idioms?
We now know ‘what is an idiom?’, but why do we use them first? After all, it would be much more straightforward to say our ideas or feelings in literal terms, right?
Since idioms are a type of figurative language, they can help to make our writing more interesting. They express an idea unusually or imaginatively, making it more engaging for the reader.
Idioms can help make our writing more informal and familiar if that’s the tone you’re going for. If you’re working on a piece of fiction, then idioms can make characters and their dialogue seem more authentic and realistic.
Idioms also allow us to explain a complex idea more succinctly!
When shouldn’t we use idioms?
Just as crucial as understanding ‘what is an idiom?’ is knowing when to use them most effectively and when not. Idioms express something utterly different from what the words mean, so we must be careful about when and where we use them.
Typically, we wouldn’t use idioms in more formal situations, such as an essential essay. This is because idioms tend to be considered informal – something you say casually with friends and family.
We should also be careful about idioms when speaking to non-English speakers. They might understand the literal translation of the idiom but not the underlying message of what you’re trying to say. This can make things needlessly confusing!
