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idiomA group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪdiəm/

Example Sentences

  • When my teacher said 'it's raining cats and dogs,' I looked outside expecting to see puppies falling from the sky!
  • Learning idioms is essential for understanding native speakers naturally.
  • My grandmother uses old-fashioned idioms that even confuse other native speakers.

idiom

NOUN

[/ˈɪdiəm/]

A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words

"Break the ice" is a common English idiom for starting a friendly conversation.
💡 Concept

"Break the ice" is a common English idiom for starting a friendly conversation.

Learning idioms helps you understand natural English conversations. (Expression + Hidden Meaning → Idiom)
🧠 Mnemonic

Learning idioms helps you understand natural English conversations. (Expression + Hidden Meaning → Idiom)

The idiom became a medium for passing old wisdom from one generation to the next.
🎵 Rhyme

The idiom became a medium for passing old wisdom from one generation to the next.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɪdiəm/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɪdiəm/

🌳Etymology

Rootidi-
Suffix--om

Origin

From Greek 'idioma' meaning 'a peculiarity of language or dialect,' derived from 'idios' meaning 'private, personal, or peculiar.' The term entered English through Latin and French during the Renaissance.

Breakdown

Greek idios (private, peculiar) + -ma (result or product) = idioma (peculiar phrasing) → idiom

🎵Rhyme

mediumtediumstadium
medium
tedium
stadium

🔗Collocations

common idiom
learn idioms
local idiom
understand an idiom
idiom dictionary
colorful idiom

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

When my teacher said 'it's raining cats and dogs,' I looked outside expecting to see puppies falling from the sky!

Learning idioms is essential for understanding native speakers naturally.

My grandmother uses old-fashioned idioms that even confuse other native speakers.

😄 Fun example

The idiom 'piece of cake' has nothing to do with dessert - it just means something is easy!

📚Related Words

Synonyms

expressionphrasesayingproverbcolloquialism

Antonyms

literal meaningdirect translation

Related

metaphorslangvernaculardialectcollocation

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