Idiom and Its Figurative Meaning

An idiom has a fixed expression and a figurative meaning. Individual words of an idiom do not stand alone; when these words are used together in a sentence, they give a different meaning from their literal meaning. An idiom has to be learned as a whole.

“An expression such as a smile, in which words do not have their literal meaning, but are categorised as a multi-word expression that acts in the text as units.” - Collins dictionary 

‘Break the ice’ means to start a conversation, and not literally break the ice. 

Idiom and Its Functions 

 An Idiom can be used in different ways to show different aspects of making a statement.

1. Pragmatic Function of Idiom

Pragmatic expression helps the writer to do social interaction, express attitude, and shape the tone of conversation.

Expressing Emotions 

‘I am fed up to the neck’ expresses frustration 

Softening and Polishing Statement 

‘He is under the weather’ is better than ‘He is sick’

Building Rapport and Cultural Connection

‘We are on the same page,’ explains the corporation  

Managing the Tone of Conversation 

‘Don't beat around the bush.’ creates a direct and urgent tone.

Showing the Speaker's Perspective 

‘It's not my cup of tea’ personal preference. 

2. Referential Function of Idiom 

It refers to the meaning of an idiom in the real world and not its tone or expression. The referential function conveys only the information it carries, and doesn't express its social or emotional use in real life.

1. Communicating Figurative Meaning 

 An idiom conveys a figurative meaning and not a literal one.

‘Spill the beans’ refers to revealing a secret.

2. Representing Concept Compactly 

It provides a long explanation through a short expression.

‘A blessing in disguise ' refers to something good that first appeared bad.

3. Describing a Situation or Event 

Some idioms express a certain situation.

‘Once in a blue moon’ refers to a rare event.

4. Referring to Human Behaviour

An idiom can refer to the behaviour or personality of a person.

‘Cold feet’  refers to fear and hesitation.

Here are some more examples -

‘The final straw’ means the last problem that breaks the patience.

‘Bend over backwards’ means trying very hard to help someone.

‘Throw in the towel’ refers to giving up.

‘Bite the dust’ refers to failing or being defeated.       

3. Cognitive Function of Idiom

An Idiom helps in making abstract ideas into an image that helps to understand that idiom or remember it for a longer time. It also makes a longer or complex thought easier to break it into short words that are easily recalled.

It Helps to Visualise a Concept  

‘Time is money,’ which helps in visualising time as a valuable thing.

Makes Abstract Ideas Easy to Understand 

‘Comparing apples to oranges’, which makes it easier to understand the abstract thought of comparing two fundamentally different things, by using two concrete examples of things that are incomparable.  

Connects Language With Thought and Imagination

‘Blue sky thinking’, which refers to thinking without limits. Making people think about ideas that are not usual and may not be practical in the present, but could be in the future.

4. Aesthetic function of Idiom 

It means making a language look more impressive, expressive, beautiful, and creative.

Makes Language More Colourful

‘Heart of gold’ looks more beautiful than saying someone is a ‘kind person’ 

Add Style and Literary Beauty 

Writers use idiom to create a tone and rhythm in a work.

‘Barking up the wrong tree’ helps express whether a person is pursuing the wrong action. 

Create Emotional Appeal, Joy, and More Creativity.

‘Walking on air’ looks more creative and joyful than saying ‘I am happy’.

The Counterpart can be the Same, but the Context can Differ

The counterpart of the idiom is the word that is fixed, but its context differs with its uses in different emotions.  As studied earlier, the figurative meaning, referential function stay the same, but its pragmatic meaning differs with social and emotional effect. 

For example, ‘Hit the nail on the head’, its referential meaning is to be exactly right and is a fixed expression, but when it is used in different social settings, or emotions, its context changes, like when a teacher uses it for a student, he is encouraging him. When a boss of any company approves an idea by saying, ‘That strategy hits the nail on the head, ’ he is approving an idea. 

Some Commonly Used Idioms 

There are millions of idioms to learn, and here are some examples of them.