Some glimpses on Idiomatic expressions in modern English

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Наиболее часто используемые идиоматические выражения в современном английском языке.(общие положения)

«Some glimpses on Idiomatic expressions in modern English»

Гензе Е.В.

Учитель английского языка

МБОУ «Лицей 159» Советского района города Казани



Contents

Introduction

1. Concept of idiomatic expressions

2. Standard and slang idioms

3. Classification

4. Everyday idioms

5. Solutions for understanding the everyday speech

Conclusion

References



Introduction

Language is the most important component of culture. It is impossible to understand another culture without knowing its language well. The problem of learning foreign languages is very important today. Foreign languages are the most efficient means of information exchange between the people of our planet. When learning a foreign language you are to learn the culture and history of the native speakers. The understanding of the native speakers' language is the international problem. Idioms come to be a numerous part of a language. Idioms cover a lot of drawbacks of a language and it is one-third part of the colloquial speech.

A huge number of idioms are commonly used in speech, in magazine articles, dialogues, to make the language of bright and colorful shades of meaning. It is obvious that without knowing the meaning of idioms we can not understand the essence of the joke, because almost all the jokes are based on the phraseology. Idioms are widely used in all areas of our lives, and if you know their exact translation, it is possible to use them very well in the right place at a right time.

Getting acquainted with phraseologism at English lessons, I became interested in the topic. After all, as Alexander Kunin said, “Phraseology- a treasure of a language.”Idioms are not only reflecting the culture and life of a language, but also help to make it more expressive and emotional. Idioms are often brightly national. Subject phraseology is so complicated and specific that it makes learning new information, enriching lexicology, semantics, language, etymology, general linguistics.

The purpose of this work is to study idiomatic expressions that describe the person in English and find out the ways of their memorizing.

Tasks:

1. Explore the value of idioms

2. To classify the idioms in English

3. Identify the classification of idioms on various topics

4. Study the methods of their memorizing

The theoretical significance of the results.

The curriculum of a secondary school gives a certain level of knowledge in the language. But not enough to study some linguistics, lexicology, stylistics. There is no doubt that in addition o the regular vocabulary, you need to seriously worry about the enrichment of the speech set phrases- idioms of the language is spoken.

idiom expression english slang



1. Concept of idiomatic expressions

Many language learners say that English is one of the most challenging languages to learn because of all the rules and unusual exceptions. There are many other people who say that English is so challenging to learn because the language is full of idioms and slang.

An idiom is a set expression that has a meaning different from the sum of the literal meanings of its components. For example, if you combine the literal meanings of the words “all, of, a, sudden”, you will not get an idiomatic meaning of this expression, which is “suddenly, unexpectedly”.

The meanings of some idioms can be easily understood (in general, come out,at first, the root of the evil ); the meanings of the idioms cannot be understood from the meanings of their components (on end, pack it in, high and low, hard cash). Some idioms contain proper names (a Jack of all trades, Uncle Sam, meet one's Waterloo); some other idioms are comparisons (as clear as a day, as the cow flies). Proverbs and sayings may also have idiomatic character (every cloud has a silver lining, still waters run deep; it never rains but it pours).

Many phrasal verbs have literal and idiomatic meanings (break up, go ahead, put on, take off).Many other phrasal verbs have only idiomatic meanings (make out, speak up, dress up, show off).

Almost every language has idioms, because people like to play with language and use figurative phrases to help make more sense of what they are trying to express. The English language is full of idiomatic expressions and some experts claim there are over 25000 different idioms used by English speakers. What makes learning the idioms in the English language so challenging is the idea of the idiom itself because they are fixed in format, but when the words are taken at their literal meaning they make absolutely no sense.

So, if English is your second language, you will often be at a loss when you are conversing with native English speakers. Once a native speaker gets talking, he never stops to think about idioms. They have become a natural part of his conversation skills. Native English speakers also don't think twice about using idioms in their written conversation, either. If native speakers stop to think about their idiomatic phrases they use, they will immediately realize why English language learners are so perplexed by them.

2. Standard and slang

The English language has several levels of usage which differ in the degree of formality or informality. There are different opinions as to what should be included in these levels (or styles), and the boundaries between the levels are not always clear. These levels include:

Formal English.

Formal English is used in polite conversation with strangers in formal situations as well as in formal and business correspondence. Formal English is very correct and follows grammar rules very strictly. Its vocabulary is quite complicated.

Standard English.

Standard English is used by the majority of native speakers in formal and informal situations with strangers, coworkers, friends and family in both speech and writing. It is the language of general use in its standard usage. Standard English is polite, friendly, and correct in grammar, pronunciation, and the choice of words.

Informal English.

Informal English (everyday, conversational, colloquial English) is closed to standard English and is used by the majority of native speakers in informal situations with coworkers, friends and family, mostly in oral communication. It is the ordinary, everyday language of literate people in conversation. Grammar and vocabulary are simpler, and a lot of everyday idioms are used.



Slang.

Slang (nonstandard, unconventional language) is very informal use of words and phrases for more colorful or peculiar style of expressions that is shared by the people in the same social subgroup. For example, there is a computer slang, sports slang, military slang, musicians' slang, students' slang.

Slang is not used by the majority of native speakers, and many people consider it vulgar, though quite a few slang phrases have already come into standard usage.

3. Slang idioms

Let's analyze the meanings and usage of three idiomatic slang expressions: hit the books, hit the road, hit the fan. The first two are informal rather than slang, but they are usually listed under the heading “Slang”? which means that you might not find them in regular dictionaries. By the way, Russian translation of slang idioms doesn't always show the degree of their informality and acceptability, so we don't always see their negative or dubious coloring.

Hit the books- (begin) to study hard -students' slang.

Example: After her long illness she had to hit the books to catch up with the other students.

His exams are close so he is hitting the books now.

Hit the road.

a. Begin to travel, get on one's way, leave

Example: At three o'clock they hit the road again. It's time to hit the road.

b. Hit the road!- an irritated demand that somebody leave immediately.

Example: Hit the road and don't come back here!

Hit the fan- cause serious trouble, produce scandalous results.

Example: The company wasn't doing very well, to put it mildly, but when the best advertising specialist quit this job, it really hit the fan.

She really hit the fan with her pink dress.

Being informal expressions, these idioms with the verb “hit” are limited in use; that is they are used in informal situations, mostly in the speech of young people.

But it doesn't mean that all of them can be used in informal situations. You never know what might be behind a slang phrase. There might be a hidden element (double meaning, an accident hint) depending on where the phrase originated from. In the case of a phrase “ hit the fan” its full expression is “the shit hits the fan”.

Can we do without such phrases? Of course, we can! We can replace “hit the books” with “study hard”, the phrase “hit the road” with the verb “leave” and the phrase “hit the fan” with “cause serious trouble.”

So, the good knowledge of useful general synonyms for use in different situations should be one of the top priorities foe every language learner.

4. How to choose the idioms

It's probably clear to you now why teachers usually object to studying slang in class. There is always a “safer”, more neutral phrase that you can use. Of course, the more phrases you know (including slang), the better. Your passive vocabulary will only benefit from that. But you should be very picky when choosing informal phrases and slang phrases for active use.

Let common sense be your guide when you are choosing idioms for studying. The following criteria look quite reasonable to me.

Study and use informal idioms and slang idioms if they are:

a. Recommended, listed, and explained in good reference materials;

b. Useful, common and frequently used;

c. Clear to you and don't cause serious problems in pronunciation and memorization.



5. Classification of the idiomatic expressions

The idiomatic expressions can effect different spheres of our life.

1. COLOUR IDIOMS.

IDIOM	MEANING
Black and blue	Bruised and beaten
Black and white	Straight forward very clear
Black out	faint
Black sheep	The odd or bad member of the group
Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth	Born into a rich family
Have a green thumb	Be skillful in the garden
Have the blues	Be sad or depressed
In the dark	Unaware
Once in a blue moon	Very rare
Red tape	Official or bureaucratic task
To be in the red	To be in the debt
To see red	To be very angry
To wave a white flag	To surrender or give up
Browned off	To be bored, fed up or disheartened
To be yellow	To be cowardly

2. BODY IDIOMS.

Old hand	An experienced person
Toe the line	To conform the certain rules or standards
Pat on the back	Recognition or a thank -you
Pull one's leg	Joke or tease someone
See eye to eye	agree

3. FUNNY ENGLISH IDIOMS.

The lights are on, but nobody's home	About a stupid person
When pigs fly	About something that will never happen
To have Van Gogh's ear for music	To be tone deaf
To peg out	Eat a lot and very quickly
Use your loaf	Use your head, be smart

4. 

5. ANIMAL IDIOMS.

Like a fish out of water	To be uncomfortable in a particular situation
To eat like a horse	To eat a lot
Mutton dressed up as lamb	To describe a woman who is dressed in a style that is more suitable for a younger woman
To pull a rabbit out of the hat	To surprise everyone by suddenly doing something clever
A wolf in sheep's clothing	Someone who is dangerous but pretend to be harmless

6. NUMBER IDIOMS.

Back to square one	Back to where one started
Cast the first stone	To be the first to criticize or attac someone
Get the third degree	To be questioned in great detail about something
In two minds about something	To be undecided about something
Nine times out of ten	Almost always

7.EVERYDAY IDIOMS.

IDIOMS	EXAMPLES	MEANING
Above board	His business dealings are above board.	Honest, open
All ears	I am all ears	Eager to listen
Against the grain	His plan goes against the grain	Contrary to
All thumbs	He can't fix anything, he is all thumbs	clumsy
Apple to one's eye	Her son is the apple to her eye	Be very dear
Bark up the wrong tree	The detective was sure he got a suspect, but he was barking up the wrong tree	Make a false assumption or wrong choice
Be beside oneself	She was beside herself with worry	Be very upset
Be cut out to be someone	He is cut out to be a leader.	Have the ability to do something
Be broke	I spent all money, I am broke	Have no money at all, be penniless
Big shot	He is a big shot around here	Important person
Bite the hand that feeds one	She is so ungreatful. She is biting the hand that feeds her.	Repay kindness with evil
Call the tune	Since he was paying for it, he called the tune	Give orders
Carry weight	His advice always carries weight here	Be important
Castles in the air	Instead of working hard,he spends time building castles in the air	Daydreaming about success
Down to earth	He is quiet, sensible and down to earth	practical
Every now and then	Every now and then I visit my old aunt	occasionally
Fall in love	Tom fell in love with Sue at firs sight	Begin to love
In advance	He told her about his plan in advance	Well before
Keep in mind	Keep in mind that he can not like the idea	Bear in mind
Make sense	What you say makes sense	Be logical
On purpose	I didn't do it on purpose	intentionally
On the other hand	I'd like to have a dog. On the other hand, my wife likes cats.	Considering the other side of the question
Take it easy	Take it easy. Everything will be OK.	Relax, be calm
Take a break	Let's take a break. I am tired.	Stop for rest
That's just a point.	That's just the point. I hate this job.	That's it.
Take place	The accident took place on Oak Street.	happen
Take time	It takes time to get used to a new place	Take a long time
Make yourself at home	Come in, please. Make yourself at home.	Be comfortable, make yourself at home
On guard	He is always cautious and on guard	On the alert
On hand	Do you have a calculator on hand?	available
Give someone a lift	Can you give me a lift to the bank?	Take someone to some place by car
In general	In general, he likes to be alone.	Generally speaking
In time	I came in time to have a cup of tea before class	Early enough, before something begins
Let it go	You can't change anything so let it go.	Forget bad experience, return to normal life
No wonder	He ate three big fish. No wonder he is sick.	Not surprising
On purpose	I didn't do it on purpose.	intentionally
On second thought	I'd like to sit on the aisle. On second thought I'd like a window seat.	After thinking again
Make fun of someone or something	He made fun of her German accent.	Laugh at, joke about

While language learners struggle with the classroom basics of the language, they miss out on the subtleties that come with the idiomatic phrases. Learning a language is not the same as being completely immersed in it. The best way to learn the idioms is talk to the native speakers. In the United States, native speakers appreciate when non-native speakers use English and they are ready and willing to help people understand the English. Since so many native speakers only know English, they love being able to share their language and they will explain what idioms mean. However, many native English speakers use so many idioms in place of the literal meaning, so you should not be surprised if a native speaker has difficulty explaining an idiom without using another one.

Idioms are weird, and often have nothing to do with their literal meaning. Here is a list of funny English idioms.

1. The lights are on but nobody's home.

(used to describe a stupid person)

Example: She really has no clue- the lights are on but nobody's home.

2. When pigs fly.

(about something that will never happen).

Example: That guy will ask you on a date when pigs fly.

3. To have Van Gogh's ear for music.

(To be tone deaf.) Van Gogh only had one ear.

Example: He really shouldn't play the piano- he has Van Gogh's ear for music.

4. To have a cast iron stomach.

(to have no problems eating or drinking anything).

Example: I think I would be sick if I ate all that food, but Joe seems to have a cast iron stomach.

5. To drink like a fish.

(to drink heavily).

Example: That young man at the bar seems to be a birthday boy because he is drinking like a fish.

6. Use your loaf.

(Use your head, think smart).

Example: Use your loaf. I know you can solve this problem!

6. Solutions for understanding the everyday speech

Teaching English idiomatic expressions (idioms) isn't always “A piece of cake”.

Here are the tips for teachers:

1.The importance of teaching idioms is “as clear as a day”.

Native English speakers grow up hearing and speaking idioms every day.

Whether your students are young children or adults, it is important that they feel comfortable using these expressions in their everyday speech and writing.

If your students are studying to learn English for a job, they especially need to learn HOW TO understand and use idiomatic expressions so they can communicate with their co-workers, supervisors, or customers.

2. Idioms' Dictionary Definitions May Be Not Enough.

If your student looks up a word in a dictionary but still doesn't understand what he heard or read, chances are that it is part of an idiomatic expression.

If that idiomatic expression is a slang expression, you may not be able to find its meaning just by looking in a dictionary.

You might be able to find each separate word in a dictionary, but you might not be able to find the entire phrase.

There are several ways to find out the meaning of an idiomatic expression:

1. Looking Online.

There are websites that contain lists of idiomatic expressions. But you need to be careful with the information on these websites for two reasons.

First, the information you find online is not always accurate.

Second, the meaning of an expression can be different depending on the country. What can be innocent phrase to an American can make a British person laugh.

3 Dictionaries of Idiomatic Expressions.

There are also whole books that explain the meaning of idiomatic expressions. Some of these dictionaries of idioms even give the origins of some of the phrases- which many native speakers will not even know.

4. Which Idiomatic Expressions Should You Teach?

The best way to decide which expressions to teach is to listen for them when you are having a conversation in English, watching American television programs, or listening to English-language radio stations.

You can also ask your students to bring in examples of expressions that they find while they are reading, watching television, listening to the radio, or speaking with co-workers or friends.

If you want your students to be comfortable and feel like native English speakers, make sure you make teaching English idiomatic expressions part of your lesso plans.

5. What is an English idiomatic expression?

An idiomatic expression is a combination of words that means something different from each word by itself.

For example, in the phrase “pulling someone's leg” pulling means moving something towards yourself, and the leg is the part of the body above the foot.

But pulling someone's leg doesn't mean to drag that person's leg: it means trying to fool the person.

If you are a student, the above mentioned tips can help you as well.

Always remember, that learning idioms :

1.IS NOT A GORDIAN KNOT, BUT A PLAIN SAILING!

(is not difficult, but very easy).

2.IT'S THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!!!

(it is very interesting).

JUST BEGIN AND YOUR LEVEL OF ENGLISH WILL BE OUT OF THE TOP DRAWER!

(will be the best)

And, BY THE WAY, a “PEACE OF CAKE” is something that is easy, just like understanding English idioms can be, if you learn what they mean!

The idioms really make our speech sound incredibly alive.



Conclusion

The communicative function of phraseological units is their ability to serve as communicative or message means.

Communication presupposes a mutual exchange of statements, and message presupposes the transfer of information.

First of all, it is generally known that the role of English idiomatic expressions has increased dramatically in recent years. It is reflected in the dictionaries and practice books devoted to them which have recently appeared in Britain, especially it refers to so called phrasal verbs which play an integral role in Modern English.

Phraseological units are also one of the most difficult problems in the process of teaching. Now there are a lot of methods and approaches in this sphere.

It is certain, that idiomatic expressions have great future and they will change the English language.

It is idiomatic expressions that make our speech sound picturesque.

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