Idioms are a part of the figurative language. Idioms make a language sound very creative. An idiom is a phrase or a fixed expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning. An idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Every language has its own collection of wise idioms (or sayings). They offer advice about how to live and also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture/society.
There are thousands of idioms, and they occur frequently in all languages. It is estimated that there are at least twenty-five thousand idiomatic expressions in the English language.
Here I have just a few so you can get a taste of them.
- A penny for your thoughts: A way of asking what someone is thinking.
- Best thing since sliced bread: A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.
- Cry over spilt milk: When you complain about a loss from the past.
- Don't give up the day job: You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
- Feel a bit under the weather: Feeling slightly ill (or sick).
In American English, there are many idioms about sports, colors, parts of the body, weather, numbers and so on. Knowing which idiom should be used when comes with practice and time. If you keep an open mind (to wait until you know all the facts before having an opinion or making a judgment) and play your cards right (make the best use of one's opportunities), your proficiency in English will soon be something to crow about (to brag about something).
Like always , very interesting! I already know a lot of idioms. Sometimes I try to find a similar idiom in Portuguese just to compare. :)
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