《英语词汇学》（英文版）Chapter 16 English Idioms

Unit 16 English Idioms

Unit 16 English Idioms

1. Characteristics of idioms 1)Semantic unity Each idiom is a semantic unity The semantic unity can be reflected by the fact that the meaning of an idiom is very often not the total sum of the meanings of the constituent words. The semantic unity can aslo be shown in the illogical relations between the literal meanings of the consitituent words and the meaning of the idiom

1. Characteristics of idioms 1) Semantic unity Each idiom is a semantic unity. The semantic unity can be reflected by the fact that the meaning of an idiom is very often not the total sum of the meanings of the constituent words. The semantic unity can aslo be shown in the illogical relations between the literal meanings of the consitituent words and the meaning of the idiom

2) Structural stability Structural stability means that the structure of an idiom usually remains unchangible. In other words, the constituent components of an idiom can not,generally speaking, be replaced

2) Structural stability Structural stability means that the structure of an idiom usually remains unchangible. In other words, the constituent components of an idiom can not, generally speaking, be replaced

2. Classification of idioms D)Idioms norminal in nature They function as nouns in a sentence white elephant brain trust Jack of all trades

2. Classification of idioms 1)Idioms norminal in nature: They function as nouns in a sentence: white elephant brain trust Jack of all trades

2 )Idioms adjectival in nature They function as adjectives in a sentence cut and dried wide of the mark up in the air

2)Idioms adjectival in nature They function as adjectives in a sentence. cut and dried wide of the mark up in the air

3)Idioms verbal in nature They function as verbs in a sentence put down to turn on get away with

3)Idioms verbal in nature They function as verbs in a sentence. put down to turn on get away with

4)Idioms adverbial in nature They function as adverbials in a sentence tooth and nail in nothing flat through thick and thin

4)Idioms adverbial in nature They function as adverbials in a sentence: tooth and nail in nothing flat through thick and thin

5)Sentence idioms Such idioms are usually in complete sentential form. They are usally proverbs or sayings Never do things by halves All is not gold that glitters

5)Sentence idioms Such idioms are usually in complete sentential form. They are usally proverbs or sayings. Never do things by halves. All is not gold that glitters

3. Use of idioms 1)Stylistic features Different idioms show different stylistic meanings. Some are casual. others formal still others neural in style. The same idiom may show stylistic differences when denoting different meanings

3.Use of idioms 1) Stylistic features Different idioms show different stylistic meanings. Some are casual, others formal, still others neural in style. The same idiom may show stylistic differences when denoting different meanings

2)Rhetorical features 1)Phonetic manipulation a alliteration such as chop and change b rhyme such as"toil and moil

2)Rhetorical features (1)Phonetic manipulation a. alliteration such as "chop and change" b. rhyme such as "toil and moil