Set Phrase
Definition: A "set phrase" is a group of words that usually go together and have a specific meaning. You cannot understand the meaning of the set phrase just by looking at the individual words.
Usage Instructions: - Use a set phrase when you want to express an idea in a fixed way that is commonly understood. - These phrases often appear in everyday conversation, literature, and formal writing.
Example: 1. "Kick the bucket" - This set phrase means to die. If you look at the words separately, it doesn’t make sense, but together they have a special meaning. 2. "Break the ice" - This means to start a conversation in a social situation, especially when people are meeting for the first time.
Advanced Usage:Set phrases can be idiomatic, meaning they are often used in a figurative sense. For instance, "under the weather" means feeling sick, but if we take it literally, it doesn’t make sense.
Word Variants: - Idioms: A type of set phrase that has a figurative meaning. Example: "Bite the bullet" means to endure a painful situation. - Collocations: These are words that often go together but may not have a singular meaning. Example: "make a decision" is a common collocation.
Different Meanings:Some set phrases can have different meanings depending on context. For example: - "On the ball" can mean being alert or quick to understand things, but it can also be used in sports to mean being active and engaged.
Synonyms: - Idiomatic expression - Fixed expression - Formulaic phrase
Idioms:As mentioned, idioms are a type of set phrase. Here are a few examples: - "Spill the beans" - This means to reveal a secret. - "Hit the nail on the head" - This means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Phrasal Verbs:Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions that also create specific meanings: - "Give up" - This means to stop trying. - "Run out of" - This means to have no more left of something.
Final Note:Set phrases enrich the English language and help speakers convey ideas more vividly.