Idioms

      An idiom can be defined as an expression that means something other than the meanings of each separate word put together or its literal meaning.

      They range from short ones, for example, ‘done it ’ or ‘in the red ’ to longer phrases and sentences like ‘beyond the shadow of a doubt ’.

      Idioms add colour and humour to the use of the English language.

      We often use them to make our speech or writing more interesting.

EXERCISE

Study the following idioms and try to explain them in your own words.

1          throw in the towel

2          head over heels

3          a chip on the shoulder

4          flying colours

5          green fingers

6          cry over spilt milk

7          hold your tongue

8          in the same boat

9          pull up your socks

10        face the music

11        paint the town red

12        kick the bucket

13        blood is thicker than water

14        once in a blue moon

15        an eye opener

16        slip of the tongue

17        bite the hand that feeds you

18        love is blind

19        add insult to injury

20        out of the frying pan into the fire