What is an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase, construction, or expression that is understood in a given language. This expression has a meaning that differs from typical syntactic patterns or that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together.

Here are some examples of idiomatic expressions:

• “to kick the bucket” means "to die"
• "to throw in the towel" means "to give up” or ”to stop"

• Concept module: idiomatic
• In overview module: Glossary (Literacy): I
• In modular book: Glossary of literacy terms
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 2 July 1998

© 1999 SIL International