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WHY IDIOMS ARE USED?

26.10.2023 14:40

[8. Філологічні науки]

Автор: Angelina Ivanivna Ferkaliak, student, State University of Trade and Economics


Every language contains words or expressions that require more explanation. Understanding the meaning of an idiomatic phrase might be challenging even if you are familiar with all the words and their meanings. It can be not easy to comprehend sayings, phrases, and colloquialisms. Idioms are used to liven up speech and writing by adding variety and color. Additionally, they can be utilized to highlight a concept or increase the recall of a phrase. 

An idiom is a widely used saying or expression containing a figurative meaning that differs from the phrase’s literal meaning. The word “idiom” comes from the Greek word “idioma,” meaning peculiar phrasing [1]. Understanding the difference between idioms and phrases is crucial. An idiom is a phrase that has a figurative meaning, whereas a phrase is a group of words that have a literal meaning. For example, “kick the bucket” is an idiom that means to die. While “the cat sat on the mat” is a phrase that has a literal meaning. Idioms are often created by native speakers of a language and they can be specific to a certain region or culture. They can be difficult for non-native speakers of a language to understand as the meaning is not literal [2].  

The usage of idioms might be troublesome since many of them are fairly informal. If we want to read English literature, newspapers, or magazines, as well as comprehend TV shows, movies, and music, we must become familiar with idioms.

Normally, Idioms are derived from popular culture, such as movies, books, or songs. For example, the phrase “I’m not going to sugarcoat it” is derived from the book The Catcher in the Rye. Idioms can also be based on historical events. For example, the phrase “it’s all downhill from here” is based on the Battle of Bunker Hill, where the American colonists were forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties. Finally, idioms can be based on common human experiences, such as birth, death, or love. For example, the phrase “that’s life” is based on the fact that life is full of ups and downs [3].

Idioms are commonly used in everyday speech without any consideration for their origin or definition. These “sayings”, however, can actually reveal a lot about a culture and its historical roots.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an idiom is “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own”.  For example, "to bite off more than you can chew" is an idiom that means you have tried to do something too difficult for you [4]. Another example, “it’s raining cats and dogs” doesn’t mean that felines and canines are falling from the sky. Rather, it’s used to describe heavy rain [3].

It's a fundamental skill to know how to employ idioms in writing. Idioms are a type of figurative language writers can use to add dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. According to [1], writers can also use idioms to:

Add humor: Idiomatic expressions can help transform flat descriptions with the help of a funny turn-of-phrase. For instance, rather than describing someone as not very smart, you could say they are “not the sharpest tool in the shed” or “not the brightest star in the sky.” In addition to conveying that the subject in question is not intelligent, the inherent comparison of a person’s brain to a toolbox or a star is unexpected and humorous.

Engage the reader: By inserting an idiomatic phrase into your writing, you force the reader to shift from thinking literally to abstractly. This can help focus and excite the reader, as they must activate a more conceptual part of their brain to comprehend the idiom’s meaning. Using the previously mentioned idiom “biting off more than they can chew” can encourage the reader to conjure a visual image in their head.

Evoke a specific region: Certain idioms can be unique to a particular group of people or world area. For instance, “that dog won’t hunt” is a common idiom in the Southern United States that means something doesn’t work or makes sense. On the other hand, if someone were to refer to a mess or a debacle as a “dog’s dinner,” they are likely British. In fiction writing, the strategic employment of specific idioms can often add a regional flavor and authenticity to your characters.

Share a point of view: Idioms can express commonly shared or universal ideas, so there are often dozens of idioms that apply to the same concept. However, depending on which idiom you choose, you can convey an entirely different attitude or point of view about the subject. 

Simplify complex ideas: Often, idioms can help express a large or abstract idea in a way that is concise and easy to understand. For instance, you could say that two things are impossible to compare to one another because they possess different traits or meanings. Or you could say it’s like “comparing apples to oranges.” In this case, using an idiom helps express the same idea in a much simpler way.

In all languages, there are thousands of idioms that we use without thinking about their historical origins. The majority of the time, their explanations are truly educative and give us a glimpse into a time when people's lives were dissimilar from our own. 

References

1. What Is an Idiom? 24 Idiom Examples. [Електронний ресурс] URL: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-idiom-learn-how-to-use-idioms-in-writing (дата звернення: 22.10.2023).

2. What are Idioms and phrases? [Електронний ресурс] URL: https://unacademy.com/content/clat/study-material/english/idioms-and-phrases/ (дата звернення: 23.10.2023).

3. Why Idioms Are Used And The Origins Of Idiom Use In History. [Електронний ресурс] URL: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-idioms-used-origins-idiom-use-history-learnlaughspeak#:~:text=Idioms%20are%20often%20derived%20from,be%20based%20on%20historical%20events (дата звернення: 23.10.2023). 

4. Cambridge Dictionary. [Електронний ресурс] URL: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/idiom (дата звернення: 23.10.2023).



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