idiom

1 of 1noun

/ˈɪdiəm/

Forms:idioms

a group of words or a phrase that has a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its individual words, often specific to a particular language or culture

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An idiom is a group of words whose meaning cannot be understood by looking at the individual words alone. Idioms often convey a figurative meaning that is culturally specific and may not translate directly into other languages. For example, the idiom "kick the bucket" means "to die", and its literal interpretation does not reflect this meaning. Idioms enrich language by adding color and expressiveness, allowing speakers to convey complex ideas or emotions in a clear way. Understanding idioms is important for effective communication, as they are commonly used in both spoken and written language.

The idiom 'kick the bucket' means to die, and its meaning is quite different from the literal interpretation of kicking a bucket.
When someone says 'it's raining cats and dogs,' they're using an idiom to describe very heavy rain, not an actual downpour of animals.
The phrase 'spill the beans' is an idiom that means to reveal a secret, rather than literally causing beans to fall.
In English, the idiom 'break the ice' is used to describe starting a conversation in a social setting to ease tension, not actually cracking ice.
The idiom 'piece of cake' refers to something that is very easy to do, which has nothing to do with an actual piece of dessert.

Synonyms:

idiomatic expression phrase phrasal idiom set phrase

a manner of speaking or writing that is characteristic of a particular person, group, or era, and that involves the use of particular words, phrases, or expressions in a distinctive way

The poet’s idiom reflected the struggles of the working class during the industrial revolution.
Her speech was filled with the idiom of the 1960s, often quoting popular songs and slogans of the era.
The author's unique idiom made her novels stand out, as she often used metaphors that no one else used.
In his lectures, the professor’s idiom was scholarly, incorporating complex terminology and references to classical texts.
The comedian’s idiom was so recognizable that fans could immediately tell which jokes were his own.

Synonyms:

parlance

the distinctive style, technique, or expression associated with a particular artist, school, or movement

The painting exemplifies the idiom of the Renaissance.
His musical idiom is rooted in jazz traditions.
The sculpture reflects the idiom of modernism.
Critics praised the idiom of the playwright.
The architect's idiom emphasizes minimalism.

Synonyms:

artistic style

the characteristic vocabulary or usage of a particular social, regional, or professional group

The technical idiom of engineers can be hard for outsiders to understand.
Legal idiom often includes specialized terminology.
She learned the idiom of the medical community quickly.
The idiom of the local fishermen was full of nautical terms.
Corporate idiom can differ from casual speech.

Synonyms:

dialect accent