TYPES OF ENGLISH IDIOMS AND THEIR USAGE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-4077-2025-214.1-9Keywords:
idioms, similes, binominals, proverbs, cliches. sailing, transport, science and technologyAbstract
In the provision of a scientific article the author gives the classification of idioms according to their types and also describes the usage of idioms in contemporary English language. In this article we differentiate the following types of idioms: similes; binominals, proverbs, cliches. We shall treat an idiom here as a fixed combination of words, the meaning of which is different from the meanings of its components, considered separately. We consider similes as expressions which compare two things that are connected with linking words as or like, e.g., as clear as crystal; fits like a glove. We consider binominals as types of idioms in which two words are joined by a linking word like and, or, to; e.g., neat and tidy; give or take; bumper to bumper. We consider proverbs as short finished sentences which refer to some collective experience and wisdom of human society, e.g., every cloud has a silver lining. We treat clichés as a comment that is often used in everyday situations. Cliches are frequently played with in advertising slogans and newspapers headlines, e.g., under the weather. We shall examine here the three domains of the English idiom’s usage: sailing, transport and science and technology. Britain is an island nation, with the sea playing a major role in the country’s history and its economy, it’s not surprising that the language has developed many idioms from sailing and maritime business. Transport is an everyday experience for many people, it is also unsurprisingly a rich source of idioms. Science and technology dominate peoples’ lives these days, so no wonder we have many idioms connected with this domain of contemporary English language.
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