Phrases and Idioms - 3 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

What Is an Idiom? – Meaning and Definition

An idiom is a phrase or group of words with a meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation of its individual components. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, it is "a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words." The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning different from the meanings of each word on its own."
The Collins Dictionary describes an idiom as "a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary adds depth, stating that an idiom is "an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as 'up in the air' for 'undecided') or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as 'give way')."

Why Use Idioms in Sentences?

Idioms can be a potent linguistic tool when used appropriately. Learning idioms may be time-consuming because their meanings often cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words. While not suitable for academic or professional writing, idioms add a unique flair to lighter contexts, making your writing or speech stand out. They can convey puns or sarcasm but require caution, as their effectiveness depends on the audience's familiarity with the idiom's meaning.

List of 100+ Common Idioms, Their Meanings, and Examples of Usage in Sentences

To facilitate learning, here is a table featuring common English idioms, their meanings, and examples of usage:

Examples of Idioms

Explore some of the most common and amusing idioms found in a variety of sources, such as movies, TV series, and books.
Idioms from Movies:

• I could dance with you until the cows come home. – Duck Soup
• Speak of the devil – Fast and Furious
• This is the man with no name. Danger fits him like a glove. – A Fistful of Dollars
• Look at this place! It looks wonderful. All spick-and-span. – Mrs. Doubtfire
• I’ve got three items in the docket: First, we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room. – Zootopia

Idioms from TV Series:

• Um, well, break a leg tonight. – This is Us
• Not to burst your bubble but it’s not rocket science. – Manifest
• Oh, perhaps I am a little under the weather. – The Big Bang Theory
• The wedding is about to start when Monica gets cold feet. – F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
• Stalin. Do I know that name? That sounds familiar. Well, it does not ring a bell with me. – F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Idioms from Books:

• “Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.” – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
• Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.” – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” – Othello by William Shakespeare
• “I’ve got my hands full,” I said. “I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work.” – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” – Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Frequently Asked Questions on Idioms in English

Q1: What is an idiom?
Ans: An idiom is a phrase or group of words that conveys a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its individual words.

Q2: What is the definition of an idiom?
Ans: According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an idiom is "a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words." The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning different from the meanings of each word on its own."

Q3: Give 5 examples of idioms.
Ans:

• My brother and I are always at loggerheads.
• Aaron was on cloud nine when I gave him cashew cookies.
• We decided to put the case on ice until we had some clue of what had happened.
• My father told me not to worry about the competition as there would be other fish in the sea.
• The communication trainer conducted an activity to break the ice.