An idiom is a group of words or a phrase that is used artistically to express oneself. It is when we do not try to take out direct meanings of a single word but express them by a group of words in a figurative manner. Know how to express yourself more artistically in English by using Idioms,
Zvi always felt alone. He felt as if he would never find a partner, but then he met Zellah, a woman who is his equal in all ways. Zellah felt the same and one day she said to Zvi, “We are a match made in heaven.”
The idiom “a match made in heaven” means that two people are perfect for each other in every way. And, a match made in heaven will have a blissful marriage.
The idiom pop the question has been in use since the 1700s.
Back then, pop the question meant to ask an important question. This question may have been a proposal of marriage, an inquiry into the possibility of purchasing land, or anything else considered important 300 years ago.
By the 1820s, the expression pop the question came to mean asking for someone’s hand in marriage.
Many languages have idioms. Chinese and English are well known for these colorful phrases. Today, our idiom is “life of the party.”
“Life of the party” describes an animated, amusing person who is the center of attention at a social gathering.
This idiom dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. It began as “the life and soul of the party”, but in time the second half was dropped. Today, English speakers just say “the life of the party” and most aren’t even aware that the word “soul” was dropped from the expression.
As for the noteworthy usage of the saying, the author Joshua Ferris used it in his short story, “The Pilot.” In this comedy, the main character was a recovering alcoholic. He was said to be the “life of the party.”
Typically, the word “throw” means to propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand, according to the Oxford Dictionary. However, throwing a party has nothing to do with tossing objects (unless you attend a Greek wedding where dishes are thrown, but this is a story for another time). Throwing a party means hosting an event.
All in all, the idiom “throw a party” is easy to use, you may simply say:
“Let’s throw a party.”
By saying this, you are communicating the idea that you’d like to host an event. Moreover, you can say:
“They want to throw a party.”
By doing so, you are changing the subject to a third person.
You could even be more specific and say:
“Amy wants to throw a party.”
Getting more specific, you could say:
“Amy wants to throw a party for Qi.”
Specific language helps the listener to understand the message. If you think about it, when you speak, you are like a radio transmitter and along the way to the receiver, the message may become distorted. To be better understood, it’s advisable to be specific in your language. For example:
“Amy wants to throw a winter solstice party for her small group of friends”
communicates a complete idea so has less chances of becoming distorted.
Like all idioms, the meaning isn’t clear upon reading. Idioms are somewhat cryptic. Their meanings come about due to use rather than diction (dictionary meaning). Some idioms are very old and have evolved over time. This idiom began as “hope springs eternal in the breast of man.”
It expresses the belief that it’s human nature to keep on hoping against all odds. Even when there’s no reason to be hopeful, people continually find something to be optimistic about.
You may hear a native English speaker say:
By saying this, the speaker is telling the listener that although they never purchase a winning lotto ticket, they believe that someday they will.
However, the idiom has been used sarcastically as well. There are many instances when the idiom is used to express a feeling of hopelessness. For example, you may hear someone say:
In this scenario, the speaker knows that his wife will never return. He is being sarcastic about hoping for her return.
続きを読むMany idioms were first penned by a famous writer or poet, but “spring is in the air” has no known author. Perhaps it came from ancient societies where planting and warmer weather were essential to their livelihood, but this is unknown.
As an expression, “spring is in the air” means spring has arrived or is coming soon. In addition, the idiom conveys a feeling of optimism. To summarize the idiom, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the grass is growing and good things are on the horizon.
The idiom was most notably used by Westlife, an Irish boy band, in the song Seasons in the Sun. They use it as a farewell to the old, in an almost sorrowful way.
Mary: “I don’t think I did well on my exams.”
Susan: “You’ll do better next time.”
Mary: “I’m not too worried about it, and anyway, spring is in the air.”
Notice how Mary uses the idiom to show a sense of optimism while telling the reader of the season. From reading this, we become aware that Mary, although it isn’t said, has an optimistic outlook as the season changes from winter to spring.
続きを読むMost languages have idioms about change. And, there are many different sayings that express getting a new outlook or starting again.
One of my favorite idioms of change is an ancient Chinese saying: “Mountains crumble to the sea over time, yet people remain the same.” However, we are here to discuss the idiom “Turn over a new leaf.”
Oddly, this idiom has nothing to do with leaves. It’s about becoming a new person, a better person. Someone who “turns over a new leaf” changes the direction of their life.
How can I use the idiom – turn over a new leaf?
Kevin was a troublemaker. He never went to class. He never listened to his parents. He would even laugh at the lessons his elders tried to teach him, saying “You don’t know anything old man,” as the family spoke to him of ancient books and traditions. But one day Kevin came to me and said, “I’m tired of causing mischief. I will study and make good marks in school.” To which I said, “You are young and have time to turn over a new leaf.”
Kevin will begin to do the right thing. He will turn over a new leaf by making good grades in school and listening to his parents.
続きを読む
Idioms are a group of words that signifies/ has a meaning together as a set phrase or is usually symbolic to an expression. It does not have a direct meaning of words individually used.
For example, the idiom, “See red” does not mean a person sees anything that is red in color, it is just symbolic to signify anger. This signifies that the person is very angry.
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Is a sign of warning. It is to draw attention to any issue that needs immediate attention. Anything that indicates a problem or a danger if not sorted immediately.
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The idiom “change of heart” doesn’t literally mean that you can swap one organ with another. It means that you can change your mind, usually after long consideration.
As you know, you can’t change your heart, you were born with it. But, the English idiom “change of heart” implies that you can.
You may know the Nursery Rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. Taking from that, I have an example of the idiom “change of heart” to share:
Mary had a little lamb. Mary loved her little lamb. But, one day she had a change of heart and decided it was time to set the little lamb free. For she knew that to love something is to let it go. If it returns, it loves you.
おすすめオンライン英会話3選
1位：DMM英会話
2位：レアジョブ
3位：ネイティブキャンプ
