" Idioms " or idiomatic expressions. This can be a big wall between the language and a person that is not native. Why? Because an idiom it doesn't mean what the words literally means, so if you don't understand the idiom you'll be in problems and probably misunderstood what somebody wants to say. So we need to have care with this idiomatic expressions that have only that meaning in the respective culture.
Let me give you some examples.
"Cut someone off at the knees". This one can be problematic if you take literally the meaning, but the real meaning and its use is to stop someone of doing something immediately. Now as you can see this make sense cause if you cut someone off at the knee, well... it won't go that far.
"Too clever by half". For those who are too smug and thinks that they are better just cause they are smarter than other.
"Grinning like a shot fox". When somebody didn't not understand the joke and still is smiling, but with that smile they show that they don't really understand what's going on.
"Part of the furniture". This one is used to something or somebody that has being in the same place for too long.
"Without batting an eye". For those who made something, and made it looks easier cause they didn't act like there wasn't big deal.
Some idioms explain theirselve, and makes the language more funny, but some are really different of the literal meaning, some are part of a culture and some idioms has been translated to another language. But the thing is that the idioms are an important part of any language, and as I already said can be a problem for somebody that is learning a new lanfuage, that's why is important to know this expressions to have a good communication with the context where you are.
Well, it was nice to read what you think about idioms and thank you, I have learnt something new by doing it. I would like to say that there are some grammatical mistakes in the post, like -didn't not understand- and -For those who are too smug and thinks- I just want you to check them take them into account, you don't think I want to highlight them.
ResponderEliminarI really liked the idiom: "Too clever by half" it reminded me to some classmates...lol
Well done Pipe. We think that we must know at least the most common idioms in English.
ResponderEliminarDo you have any special idiom you like to use anytime? which one?
ResponderEliminarMister Felipe.
ResponderEliminarWhat a fantastic final reflection.
It very interesting how we misundertand something because we do not catch the background of some idiomatic expressions, as you coin them.
Many thanks for posting.