Phrases & Idioms | English Grammar Basic - Class 10 PDF Download

What Do You Mean by Idioms and Phrases?

• Idioms and phrases hold significant value based on their usage in sentences. Idioms can be seen as a subset of phrases, as any phrase with a symbolic meaning can be considered an idiom.
• Phrases are groups of words that, while not forming complete sentences, convey a literal meaning. This means that the meaning of a phrase is clear and direct, derived from the words themselves.
• In contrast, idioms are groups of words whose meaning is different from the literal interpretation. Idioms convey a metaphorical or symbolic meaning.

Idioms and Phrases: Meanings

• In expressive writing and comprehension, mastering idiomatic expressions is crucial in any language. For instance:
  • "At a loose end" means being unoccupied or idle.
  • "Built castles in the air" refers to daydreaming or making visionary schemes.
• This highlights the importance of understanding the difference between idioms and phrases, complete with meanings and examples.
• Idiomatic expressions come in various forms, such as phrasal verbs, noun phrases, idiomatic adjectives, pairs of nouns, adjectives and adverbs, and idioms and phrases.
• Phrases are groups of words that can be understood but do not have a clear, unified meaning. They convey the literal meaning of the words they comprise.
• Idioms, on the other hand, are common expressions whose meanings differ from their literal interpretations. Idioms are understood because of their widespread use in spoken language.

Differences between Idioms and Phrases

The main difference between idioms and phrases lies in understanding their meanings:

• Idioms make sense on their own, whereas phrases make sense when incorporated into a sentence.
• Idioms are commonly used as slang or part of spoken language, while phrases are used in regular sentences.
• For idioms, we interpret their symbolic meaning, while for phrases, we take their literal meaning.
• An idiom can be a single word, but phrases are generally not single words.
• An idiom can be a phrase; if a phrase has a metaphorical meaning, it is considered an idiom.

Examples of Idioms and Phrases