phrasal idiom
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of idiomatic expression: A "phrasal idiom" is a multi-word expression whose overall meaning is not a direct or literal combination of the meanings of its individual words. Its meaning is figurative and must be learned as a single unit.
Usage
- A "phrasal idiom" functions as a single semantic unit within a sentence. It is treated as a fixed expression whose components are not usually separated or altered.
- It is used to convey a specific, often culturally nuanced, idea that would not be understood by translating the words literally.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Structural Fixedness: Many phrasal idioms have a fixed grammatical structure. For example, "by and large" (meaning 'on the whole') cannot be changed to "large and by."
- Variability: Some phrasal idioms allow minor variations. For instance, "hit the books" (to study) can sometimes be used as "hitting the books," but the core words remain the same.
Variants and Related Words
- Idiom (n): A broader term for any expression with a non-literal meaning, which includes phrasal idioms.
- Phrasal verb (n): A multi-word verb consisting of a main verb and a particle (e.g., "give up," "look into"). While some phrasal verbs are idiomatic, not all phrasal idioms are phrasal verbs.
- Set phrase (n): A fixed group of words, which can include phrasal idioms but also includes non-idiomatic expressions.
Synonyms
- Idiomatic expression: A phrase whose meaning is established by usage as a convention.
- Fixed expression: A phrase with a set, unchangeable form.
Related Phrases
- "To be a phrasal idiom": Used to describe an expression's classification.
- "Once in a blue moon" is considered a phrasal idiom.
Noun
-
an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
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