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A proverb [or proverbial phrase] is usually defined, an instructive sentence, or common and pithy saying, in which more is generally designed than expressed, famous for its peculiarity or elegance, and therefore adopted by the learned as well as the vulgar, by which it is distinguished from counterfeits which want such authority
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
An idiom is a phrase or expression that largely or exclusively carries a figurative or non-literal meaning, rather than making any literal sense.Categorized as formulaic language, an idiomatic expression's meaning is different from the literal meanings of each word inside it. [1]
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride" is a proverb and nursery rhyme, first recorded about 1628 in a collection of Scottish proverbs, [1] which suggests if wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted. [2]
Break a leg" is an English-language idiom used in the context of theatre or other performing arts to wish a performer "good luck". An ironic or non-literal saying of uncertain origin (a dead metaphor), [1] "break a leg" is commonly said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform or before an audition. Though a similar and ...
In English-speaking countries, the common verbal response to another person's sneeze is "(God) bless you", or less commonly in the United States and Canada, "Gesundheit", the German word for health (and the response to sneezing in German-speaking countries). There are several proposed origins of the phrase "bless-you" for use in the context of ...
The meaning and lyrics behind the popular end-of-year song. ... "Auld Lang Syne" has its origins in the Scottish language, which explains why so much of it may as well be Greek to most of us ...
Crossed fingers. To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to wish for luck.Early Christians used the gesture to implore the protection of the Holy Cross. [1] The gesture is referred to by the common expressions "cross your fingers", "keep your fingers crossed", or just "fingers crossed".