Dictionary of english idioms
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The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (4 ed.)
Over 10,000 entries
What is it to ‘cock a snook’? Where is the land of Nod? Who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more!) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms.
This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include ‘back of the net’, ‘drag and drop’, ‘go it alone’, ‘how come?’, ‘if you ask me’, ‘make your skin crawl’, and ‘wind your neck in’.
Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford Corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.
Bibliographic Information
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Print Publication Date:
- 2020
- Print ISBN-13:
- 9780198845621
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Idioms
An idiom is a group of words, a saying, or a phrase with a symbolic rather than literal meaning that is accepted in common usage. It is a form of artistic expression characteristic of a movement, period, individual, medium, or instrument.
Its symbolic sense differs from the definition or literal meaning of the words that make it. Idioms convey a figurative meaning that is difficult to understand solely by interpreting the words literally. For instance, “beyond the pale” means something is “over the line” or improper. You can only know that by being able to infer the phrase’s meaning based on context or if someone explains it to you.
Many different idioms exist, and people use them commonly in all languages. Translating them into other languages can be challenging because some meanings may be lost. Still, equivalents that fill in the gaps between languages exist. The English language has an unlimited number of idiomatic expressions.
Idiomatic expressions are the building blocks of civilization and language. They make the language evolve. The great intensity of idioms makes a language dynamic and interesting. Phrases bring a remarkable illustration to daily speech and offer compelling insights into the use of languages, words, and the spe
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The Town Dictionary understanding English Idioms (3 ed.)
"Anyone who keep to addicted stop by the fruitfulness of depiction English have a chat or merely intrigued preschooler the source and signification of comb idiom choose ‘teach your grandmother without delay suck eggs’ will pleasure this work" – Library Journal
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