English Morphology and Lexicology

English Morphology and Lexicology

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Chapter 9 English Idioms

9.1 Characteristics of idioms 1) Semantic unity 2) Structural stability

9.2 Classification of idioms 9.3 Use of idioms

1) Stylistic features 2) Rhetorical features 3) Variations of idioms

Idioms

Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements. fly+off+the+handle≠ fly off the handle

Become excessively angry

Idioms

Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements. put+up+with≠ put up with

tolerate

Idioms

In a broad sense, idioms may include Colloquialisms Catchphrases Slang expressions Proverbs …

9.1 Characteristics of idioms till the cows come home

adv. forever Semantic unity: the various words that

make up the idiom have lost their individual identity; the part of speech of each word is no longer important, and the idiom functions as one word.

9.1 Characteristics of idioms How do you do? Form of greeting≠ In what way do you do things? Semantic unity: is also reflected in the

illogical relationship between the literal meaning of each word and the meaning of the idiom.

9.1 Characteristics of idioms

in a brown study (= deep in thought) ≠in a (red, green, white, …) study ≠in a brown (room, den, hall, studio, cell,

…) Structural stability: the structure of an

idiom is to a large extent unchangeable.


by twos and threes ≠by threes and twos

tit for tat ≠tat for tit Structural stability: the word order

can not be inverted or changed.


Out of the question ≠out of question in question ≠in the question Structural stability: the constituents of

an idiom can not be deleted or added to.


diamond cut diamond as sure as eggs is eggs

Structural stability: many idioms are grammatically unanalysable.

Idiomaticity scale

true idioms Semi- idioms Regularcombinations

9.2 Classification of idioms

Idioms nominal in nature Idioms adjectival in nature Idioms verbal in nature Idioms adverbial in nature Sentence idioms

9.3 Use of idioms

1. stylistic features Coloquialisms Slang Literary expressions

In deep water

Having lost her passport, she is now in deep water.

in trouble or difficulty

tide over

Will you lend me some money to tide me over until I get my pay cheque?

help sb through (a difficult period) by providing what he needs

Take the helm

=be at the helm at the head of an organization, etc; in

control

kill two birds with one stone achieve two aims with a single action or s

imultaneously

a bull in a china shop

person who is rough and clumsy when skill and care are needed

put all one's eggs in/into one basket risk everything one has on the success of

one plan, eg by putting all one's money into one business

new brooms sweep clean

a person newly appointed to a responsible position (starts to change and improve things energetically, in a way that is sometimes resented by others)

Wash one’s dirty linen in public

discuss one's personal (esp unpleasant) affairs or quarrels in public

Keep the pot boiling

(a) keep sth (eg a children‘s game) moving at a fast pace

(b) keep interest in sth alive

boil down boil (sth) down =reduce or be reduced by boilin

g boil sth down (to sth) =(infml 口 ) summarize st

h; condense sth: Could you boil that article down to 400 words?

boil down to sth= (be able to) be summarized as sth: The issue really boils down to a clash between left and right.

jump at the bait

be cheated

a fish out of water

=person who feels uncomfortable or awkward because he is in unfamiliar surroundings

With my working-class background I feel like a fish out of water among these high-society people.

hit below the belt

(fight) unfairly

play fair

=play or act fairly, following rules or accepted standards

Come on, you‘re not playing fair.

bring around I'll try to bring him around to your views.

If you bring someone around, you cause them to change their opinion about something so that they agree with you.

I'd passed out and he'd brought me round. If you bring someone around when they are

unconscious, you make them become conscious again.

bring home the bacon

(infml 口 ) achieve sth successfully

9.3 Use of idioms 2. rhetorical

features Phonetic

manipulation Alliteration Rhyme

Lexical manipulation Reiteration Repetition Juxtaposition

Figures of speech Simile Metaphor Metonymy Synecdoche Personification euphemism

9.3 Use of idioms

3. variations of idioms replacement Addition or deletion Position-shifting Shortening Dismembering

English Morphology and Lexicology

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