Some Useful Idiomatic Expressions

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS An idiom (Latin: idioma, “special property”, f. Greek: idiōma, “special phrasing”, f. Greek: idi os, “one’s own”) is an expression, word, or phrase that has figurative meaning — its implication comprehended only through common use; whereas the literal definition of the idiom, itself, does not communicate its meaning as a figurative usage. In linguistics, idioms are usually presumed to be figures of speech contradicting the principle of compositionality; yet the matter remains debated. an “idiom” as words collocated that became affixed to each other until metamorphosing into a fossilized term. This collocation — words commonly used in a group — redefines each component word in the word-group and become an idiomatic expression. The words develop a specialized meaning as an entity, as an idiom. Moreover, an idiom is an expression, word, or phrase whose sense means something different from what the words literally imply. When a speaker uses an idiom, the listener might mistake its actual meaning, if he or she has not heard this figure of speech before.[3] Idioms usually do not translate well; in some cases, when an idiom is translated into another language, either its meaning is changed or it is meaningless. Idioms might be the most difficult language for a learner of a new language. An idiom is generally a colloquial metaphor — a term requiring some foundational knowledge, information, or experience, to use only within a culture, where conversational parties must possess common cultural references. Therefore, idioms are not considered part of the language, but part of the culture. As culture typically is localized, idioms often are useless beyond their local context; nevertheless, some idioms can be more universal than others, can be easily translated, and the metaphoric meaning can be deduced. SOME USEFUL IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS AGREE TO - a proposal; a thing, or an action

LIVE IT UP - have a good time by spending a lot of money.

BACK AWAY - retreat or go backwards MAKE UP - stop being angry with someone COME AROUND - become conscious, wake

They are always arguing, but they MAKE UP again very quickly.

DRIVE UP - make something increase. EASE OFF - reduce pressure. FALL FOR - be attracted to somebody, fall in love.

OPEN UP - start to talk freely about something She hates to OPEN UP and discuss her feelings.

GIVE UP ON - lose faith in or stop believing in something or someone.

PULL OFF - manage to do something difficult or tricky

HOLD UP - delay when traveling. RING OFF - finish a phone conversation ON BEHALF OF - representing on the part of. IRON OUT - remove small problems or irregularities.

SHOOT UP - increase quickly TAKE DOWN - make notes or write down in full

KEEP AT - continue with something difficult.

ZIP BY - pass quickly

Business Idioms

Take a nosedive (collapse, fail, decrease in value)

Across the board (including everyone or everything)

Write off (remove from a business record,

Bang for the buck (value for the money

cancel a debt)

spent) Colloquial Expressions Close out (sell the whole of something, sell all

Be my guest (do as you wish)

the goods) Bend someone’s ear (talk about a matter at Deliver the goods (succeed in doing well

tedious length)

what is expected) Caught dead, wouldn’t be (would have Face value (the official worth or trust of

nothing to do with; detest)

something) Fair enough (that’s reasonable, I agree) Gain ground (go forward, make progress) Fast track (a situation involving high pressure, Heads will roll (someone will be punished)

competition, and, especially, rapid success or advancement)

In the black (successful or making money) Foot the bill (pay the bill, settle the accounts) Jack up (make a price higher) For crying out loud (an exclamation of anger Keep track of - (keep a count or record, stay

or exasperation)

informed) Get the hang of it (learn the proper way of Make a go of (produce good results, succeed)

doing, using or handling something; acquire the knack of something)

Number-cruncher (an accountant, someone

The works (everything, the full range of

who works with numbers)

possibilities).

On hand (in one’s possession, ready)

Think big (be ambitious)

Piece of the action (a share in the activity or

Whole nine yards (everything that is relevant;

the profits of something)

the whole thing)

Red ink (debt (red ink on a financial

You name it (everything one can think of)

statement) Sell like hotcakes (sell very quickly)