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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 example of an idiom is hit the sack, which means to go to bed. It can be used in a sentence like the following: I'm beat; I'm gonna hit the sack. [2] Traditionally, idiom comprehension was thought to require a distinct processing mode other than literal language comprehension. Subsequent research suggested that the comprehension of idioms ...
better off than 'working class', but not rich, i.e., a narrower term than in the U.S. and often negative ordinary; not rich although not destitute, generally a positive term midway (adv.) in the centre of a line or period (n.) part of a fair in which there are games, rides, etc. [5] military: relating specifically to the British Army (dated)
[1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as: 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 ...
This is a list of idioms that were recognizable to literate people in the late-19th century, and have become unfamiliar since. As the article list of idioms in the English language notes, a list of idioms can be useful, since the meaning of an idiom cannot be deduced by knowing the meaning of its constituent words. See that article for a fuller ...
Hard Sentences and Tongue-Twisters for Broken Telephone. 1. Betty Bottle bought some bitter bits of butter. 2. Black bats back bricks. 3. Corn cobs cost copious amounts. 4. Doorknobs and door ...
Pages in category "English-language idioms" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 205 total. This list may not reflect recent changes .
A famous example for lexical ambiguity is the following sentence: "Wenn hinter Fliegen Fliegen fliegen, fliegen Fliegen Fliegen hinterher.", meaning "When flies fly behind flies, then flies fly in pursuit of flies." [39] [circular reference] It takes advantage of some German nouns and corresponding verbs being homonymous. While not noticeable ...