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Idioms
Here you will find a selection of English idioms categorized by topic for easier access and better understanding.
Describing People
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to people in topics like Taste & Will, Interest, Healthiness, Sickness and Style.
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Relationships
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to relationships in topics like Friendship, Reconciliation, Feud, Family, and Marriage.
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Success
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to success in topics like Victory, Improving oneself, Power, and Fame.
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Failure
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to failure in topics like Defeat, Wastefulness, Fruitlessness, Defamation & Unpopularity
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Interactions
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Interactions in topics like Support, Mistreatment, Enmity, Sympathy and Jokes.
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Personality
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to personality in topics like Unpleasant Traits or being Skilled, Smart, or Odd.
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Feelings
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to feelings in topics like Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Annoyance, Fear, and Excitement.
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Work & Money
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Work & Money in topics like Earning Money, Wealth & Luxury, Price & Money and Saving.
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Perseverance
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Perseverance in topics like Determination & Hard Work and Doing One's Best.
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Society, Law & Politics
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Society, Law, & Politics in topics like Justice & Injustice and Political Issues.
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Decision & Control
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Decision & Control in topics like Force & Obligation, Indecisiveness, and obedience.
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Time
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to time in topics like Continuity, Frequency, Putting Off, Span & Duration.
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Knowledge & Understanding
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Knowledge & Understanding in topics like Awareness, Expertise, Ignorance & Forgetting
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Amounts
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Amounts in topics like Distance, Extent, Intensity, Speed, and numbers.
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Behavior & Approach
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Behavior & Approach in topics like Overreaction, Foresight, Improvisation and Surprise
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Difficulty
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Difficulty in topics like Troublemaking, Facing Unpleasantness, Acceptance & Relief.
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Certainty & Possibility
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Certainty & Possibility in topics like Uncertainty, Impossibility, Luck, and Chance.
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Danger
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Danger in topics like Cautiousness, Danger & Threat, Conflict & War, and Violence.
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Everyday Life
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Everyday Life in topics like Appetite, Drinking, Sleep, Fun, and Communication.
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Influence & Involvement
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Influence & Involvement in topics like Persuasion, Change, Involvement, and Priority.
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Opinion
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Opinion in topics like Criticism, Disagreement, Discussion, Thoughts & Assumptions.
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Truth, Secrecy, & Deception
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms related to Truth, Secrecy, & Deception in topics like Keeping Secrets, Lying & Exaggeration.
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Describing Qualities
Here you can find a categorized list of all the English idioms used to Describe Qualities in topics like Comparison, Good and bad Quality, Shape, and Color.
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Welcome to the world of idioms, where language takes on a vibrant and colorful twist. In this introduction, we will discover what idioms are, their origins, meanings, grammatical structure, and their practical use in everyday language. We will also compare them to proverbs and collocations to provide a well-rounded understanding of these linguistic gems.
What Are Idioms?
Idioms are like linguistic puzzles - they are phrases or expressions where the meaning is not what you would expect from the individual words. Instead, idioms have their own special meanings that can be quite different.
Where Do They Come From?
Idioms come from a rich tapestry of sources. They may have historical roots, cultural references, or origins in folklore. Some idioms can be traced back to stories, ancient traditions, or significant events. Others evolve over time and reflect the ever-changing nature of language.
What Do They Imply?
Idioms rely on figurative language, using metaphors, similes, or other devices to convey meanings. This often results in a meaning that is quite different from the literal interpretation of the words. Each idiom has its unique, non-literal meaning, tied to cultural and contextual nuances. Idioms are specific to their language or culture and may not translate directly to other languages. Using them effectively requires sensitivity to context, as not all idioms are suitable for every situation.
How to Use Idioms
Idioms are versatile tools that add richness to your language. They can be used in conversations, writing, and even in formal speech. By incorporating idioms into your language skills, you make your communication more engaging and authentic. However, using idioms requires understanding when and where they are appropriate, as they can be confusing if used in the wrong context.
Grammatical Structure of Idioms
Idioms are unique in terms of their grammatical structure. They are fixed expressions, meaning that the words within an idiom cannot be changed or rearranged without losing the idiomatic meaning. The structure of idioms often departs from standard grammar rules and can be quite inflexible.
Comparing Idioms to Proverbs and Collocations
Proverbs, idioms, and collocations are distinct language components, each with its unique characteristics:
- Proverbs and idioms both can use figurative language, but proverbs typically have clear meanings and convey specific wisdom, whereas idioms often lack straightforward literal interpretations.
- Collocations are word combinations that naturally occur together, enhancing language fluency. Idioms, in contrast, are figurative expressions and do not rely on the common word pairs found in collocations.
We have put idioms into lessons to help you understand these special phrases. By learning idioms, you will make your language skills richer and understand more about a language's culture and history. Give idioms a try, and they will make your language journey more colorful and exciting. Enjoy your learning!
