English Idioms: Meanings and Examples in a Letter
Definition
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. For example, the idiom drive someone round the bend means to make someone very annoyed or frustrated. You can’t guess this just by looking at the words—you need to see it in context.
Example:
“My little brother keeps singing the same song over and over. It’s driving me round the bend!”
Here, we understand that drive round the bend doesn’t mean driving a car. Instead, it means the person is getting really frustrated because their brother won’t stop singing.
Types of Idioms
- Verb + Object/Complement (and/or Adverbial)
These idioms have a verb followed by an object, complement, or extra information.
Example: Hit the nail on the head (to describe something exactly).
“When you said I need more sleep, you hit the nail on the head.”
- Prepositional Phrase
These idioms start with a preposition and usually describe a situation or feeling.
Example: In the blink of an eye (very quickly).
“The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.”
- Compound Idioms
These idioms are made of two or more words that go together as a single unit.
Example: Cold shoulder (to ignore someone).
“She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.”
- Idioms with ‘as + Adjective + as’
These idioms compare something to another using “as”.
Example: As blind as a bat (having very bad eyesight).
“Without my glasses, I’m as blind as a bat.”
- Idioms with ‘Like + Noun’
These idioms compare something using “like.”
Example: Like a fish out of water (feeling uncomfortable in a situation).
“At my new job, I felt like a fish out of water.”
- Binomial Idioms (Word + and + Word)
These idioms have two words joined by “and.”
Example: Give and take (a balance of compromise).
“A good friendship needs a bit of give and take.”
- Trinomial Idioms (Word + Word + and + Word)
These idioms have three words joined by “and.”
Example: Cool, calm, and collected (being relaxed and in control).
“She stayed cool, calm, and collected during the interview.”
- Whole Clause or Sentence
These idioms are full sentences expressing a thought or reaction.
Example: Better late than never (It’s better to do something late than not at all.)
“Sorry I’m late! At least I made it—better late than never!”
Reference:
English Idioms in Use by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell, Cambridge University Press, 2010.