English idioms

Classification of idioms

The idioms ,in a broad sense ,include slaThe idioms ,in a broad sense ,include slang, proverbs, common sayings and idiong, proverbs, common sayings and idioms. They have various forms, for examplms. They have various forms, for example, phrasese, phrases 、、 clauses and sentences. clauses and sentences.

Different ways to classify the Different ways to classify the idioms idioms

1.By origin

Idioms from the bible : lead by nose control someone completely

wheels within wheels complicated situation or relationship

eat one’s own flesh lazy and idle persons

Different ways to classify the Different ways to classify the idiomsidioms

2.according to semantic relationship2.according to semantic relationship the meaning of the idioms can be clearly figurthe meaning of the idioms can be clearly figur

ed out from each word’s meaning.ed out from each word’s meaning.

show one’s teeth (angry)show one’s teeth (angry)

What done is done. (What done is done. ( 木已成舟木已成舟 ))

green as grass ( young or inexperienced )green as grass ( young or inexperienced )

Different ways to classify the Different ways to classify the idiomsidioms

3.according to the morphological 3.according to the morphological structure structure

Strike while the iron is hot. Strike while the iron is hot.

Barking dogs do not bite.Barking dogs do not bite.

More haste ,less speed.More haste ,less speed.

Different ways to classify the idiomsDifferent ways to classify the idioms

4.according to the grammatical 4.according to the grammatical functionsfunctions

Reason: Reason:

help us to correct the wrong use help us to correct the wrong use of the idioms in our daily life ,and of the idioms in our daily life ,and make us have a clear mind of the make us have a clear mind of the idioms which have their own liberal idioms which have their own liberal meanings meanings

Classification according to Classification according to the grammatical functionsthe grammatical functions

1.idioms nominal in nature1.idioms nominal in nature

They have a noun as the key word They have a noun as the key word in each and work as a noun in the in each and work as a noun in the sentence.sentence.

Classification according to Classification according to the grammatical functionsthe grammatical functions

ExamplesExamples a white elephant :something useless and a white elephant :something useless and

unwanted but big and costly ( unwanted but big and costly (a a +n+n))

flesh and blood :relatives and family flesh and blood :relatives and family ((n + conj + nn + conj + n)) clean hand: innocenceclean hand: innocence green hand: inexperienced person (green hand: inexperienced person (a+ na+ n ) ) land of promised :paradise (land of promised :paradise (n + prep + nn + prep + n))

Classification according to the grammatical functions

2.Idioms adjective in nature

Their constituents are probably not adjective , but they function as adjectives.

Examples:

as poor as a church mouse: having or earning barely enough money for one’s own needs (as + a + as + n)

Classification according to the grammatical functions

all things to all men :take great pain to today to all person (n +prep +n)

eg.

Being a man of the world ,he is all things to all men.

bone of the bone and the flesh of the flesh: closely linked( n +conj +n)

Classification according to the grammatical functions

3.Idioms verbal in nature(1)Phrasal verbs ( v + prep/particle ) go off with sth: leave someplace with that does not belong to one (v + particle + prep) eg. He went off with 10,000,000 dollars of the company’s money look into :investigate

take after sb: resemble (one’s father or mother )in appearance or character

Classification according to the grammatical functions

(2).other verb phrases

burn one’s boats: 破釜沉舟（ v +’s +n)

wash the feet of sb: serve sb

(v + n +prep + n)

Classification according to the grammatical functions

4. idioms adverbial in nature

The idioms here contain numerous prepositional phrases, which can be considered both as adjective and adverb, so the idioms which have the same structure may function differently in a sentence.

Classification according to the grammatical functions

Examples

tooth and nail: with great violence and determination ( n+ conj +n)

heart and soul （全心全意） (n + conj +n)

Classification according to Classification according to the grammatical functionsthe grammatical functions

5. sentence idioms 5. sentence idioms As we mentioned before, idioms are As we mentioned before, idioms are

stable. The constituents can not be stable. The constituents can not be changed or replaced, so the sentence changed or replaced, so the sentence idioms are sayings and proverbs, which idioms are sayings and proverbs, which can be subdivided into simple, compound can be subdivided into simple, compound and complex sentences.and complex sentences.

Classification according to Classification according to the grammatical functionsthe grammatical functions

Examples:Examples: Am I your brother’s keeper? (simple)Am I your brother’s keeper? (simple) Pig might fly if they had wings (complex).Pig might fly if they had wings (complex). One boy’s a boy; two boys are half a boy; three One boy’s a boy; two boys are half a boy; three

boys are no boy at all. (compound)boys are no boy at all. (compound) He who has ears, let him hear. (complex)He who has ears, let him hear. (complex) Whatsoever a man sowed, that should he also Whatsoever a man sowed, that should he also

reap. (compound)reap. (compound)

Thank you for your listening !Thank you for your listening !

God bless you!God bless you!