This book addresses a central problem in phraseological and linguistic analysis. The creative structure and the creative use of idioms. Let me therefore start creatively, with a highly speculative metaphorical hypothesis: idioms are to linguists and language users what the Cheshire cat is to Alice. Idioms are peculiar linguistic constructions that have raised many eyebrows in linguistics and often confuse newcomers to a language. Indeed, the expression grin like a Cheshire cat is an idiom. More precisely, it is an idiomatic comparison whose motivation has become opaque: as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) indicates, the phrase is of undetermined origin.
A Good Turn of Phrase: Advanced Idiom Practice A Good Turn of Phrase is a 2-part series of full-color books that offer comprehensive presentation and extensive practice of commonly used idioms, phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases at an advanced level. The books are suitable for use in the classroom or for self-study. Book 1 ( Advanced Idiom Practice) contains 15 units each presenting and practicing English idioms in current use. Idioms are presented in context through dialogues, articles, letters and extracts, and are then tested in such activities as "key-word" transformation, multiple choice, gap filling, word matching, crosswords and picture discussion. A glossary listing all the idioms featured is included at the back of the book.
This book examines how people understand utterances that are intended figuratively. Traditionally, figurative language such as metaphors and idioms has been considered derivative from more complex than ostensibly straightforward literal language. Glucksberg argues that figurative language involves the same kinds of linguistic and pragmatic operations that are used for ordinary, literal language.
Containing more than 5.000 entries, this dictionary covers metaphorical phrases, similes, familiar sayings, and proverbs, providing illustrative quotations from sources as varied as the Bible, the Spectator, and Agatha Christie. It explains meanings and provides historical information for well-known idioms such as cost an arm and a leg, knoks spots off, once in a blue moon, the tip of the iceberg, and many more. Full of fascinating facts, this dictionary is ideal for anyone with interest in the origins of the colloquial, quirky byways of the English language. Idioms are arranged alphabetically by key word for easy reference. Sayings in British English are supplemented by American English and other expressions.
