The Branches of Semantics "Idiom"

An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the phrase is interpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in different cultures and countries. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say. They have, however, hidden meaning.

Idiom Examples

 

Example 1 :

“Every cloud has its silver lining but it is sometimes a little difficult to get it to the mint.”

The statement quoted above uses “silver lining” as an idiom which means some auspicious moment is lurking behind the cloud or the difficult time.

Example 2 :

“American idioms drive me up the hall!”

Here, the word “idioms” is used as an idiom.

Example 3 :

“I worked the graveyard shift with old people, which was really demoralizing, because the old people didn’t have a chance in hell of ever getting out.”

In the extract quoted above, “graveyard shift” is employed as an idiom.

Example 4 :

“As happy as a clam”

Mary was happy as a clam on the day of her wedding.

Meaning : Pleased, very content

Origin : So why in the world would a clam ever be happy? They're shellfish, they don't have feelings. The expression most likely began because when a clam's shell is opened up, it does look like the clam is smiling.

Other Example :

“A hot potato”

Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed

“A penny for your thoughts”

A way of asking what someone is thinking

“Actions speak louder than words”

People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.

“Add insult to injury”

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

“An arm and a leg”

Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.

“At the drop of a hat”

Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.

“Back to the drawing board”

When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

“Ball is in your court”

It is up to you to make the next decision or step

“Barking up the wrong tree”

Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

Functions of Idiom

Writers and public speakers use idioms generously. The purpose behind this vast use of idioms is to ornate their language, make it richer and spicier and help them in conveying subtle meanings to their intended audience. Not only do idioms help in making the language beautiful, they also make things better or worse through making the expression good or bad.

For example, there are several idioms that convey the death of a person in highly subtle meanings and some do the same in very offensive terms. They are also said to be exact and more correct than the literal words and sometimes a few words are enough to replace a full sentence. They help the writer make his sense clearer than it is, so that he could convey maximum meanings through minimum words and also keep the multiplicity of the meanings in the text intact.

It has also been seen that idioms not only convey subtle meanings but also convey a phenomenon that is not being conveyed through normal and everyday language and also they keep the balance in the communication. Furthermore, they provide textual coherence, so that the reader could be able to piece together a text that he has gone through and extract meanings the writer has conveyed.

References :

http://literarydevices.net/idiom/

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/vocabulary-lesson-idioms.php

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-idiom-definition-examples-quiz.html

http://www.smart-words.org/quotes-sayings/idioms-meaning.html