AN I DI OM I S AN EXPRESSI ON CONSI STI NG OF A

COMBI NATI ON OF WORDS THAT HAVE A FI GURATI VE

MEANI NG. THE FI GURATI VE MEANI NG I S
COMPREHENDED I N REGARD TO A COMMON USE OF THE
EXPRESSI ON THAT I S SEPARATE FROM THE LI TERAL
MEANI NG OR DEFI NI TI ON OF THE WORDS OF WHI CH I T
I S MADE.
I DI OMS ARE NUMEROUS AND THEY OCCUR FREQUENTLY
I N ALL LANGUAGES. THERE ARE ESTI MATED TO BE AT
LEAST 25, 000 I DI OMATI C EXPRESSI ONS I N THE ENGLI SH
LANGUAGE.
IDIOM
EXAMPLE OF SENTENCE AND ITS MEANING
1. To kick the bucket - to die. 'I heard the mafia boss had kicked the
bucket'

2. After one's own heart - having the same ideas, preferences or
behaviours as oneself. 'You like dunking rich tea biscuits too, a man
after my own heart'

3. To add fuel to fire - to make a situation worse. 'First he dropped the
pot plant, then adding fuel to the fire he trod on it'

4. A little bird told me - information gained from someone who you
are not going to name. 'Let's just say I know about it because a little
bird told me'.

5. Kettle of fish - A situation different or alternative to some other
situation, but not nec. unfavourable. 'Oh, you mean knitting a jumper,
well that's a different kettle of fish entirely'.



6. Can of worms - A complex, troublesome situation arising when a
decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems. 'If you
promote him to captain of the football team when he is not suitable,
this could open a can of worms with the other players'.

7. A few sandwiches short of a picnic - mad, not sane. 'He talks to
himself, I think he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic'.

8. Brownie point - Credit or praise for good work or a good deed.
'You'll get brownie points with your girlfriend for buying her flowers'.

9. Bark up the wrong tree - to take the wrong approach to something
or follow a false lead. 'If you think you will get him to change his mind
just by asking nicely you are barking up the wrong tree'.

10. Bring home the bacon - to earn a living and make money for your
family to live on. 'Women these days not only take care of the
household but also bring home the bacon'.