Unit 16 English Idioms
Unit 16 English Idioms
1. Characteristics of idioms 1)Semantic unity Each idiom is a semantic unity The semantic unity can be reflected by the fact that the meaning of an idiom is very often not the total sum of the meanings of the constituent words. The semantic unity can aslo be shown in the illogical relations between the literal meanings of the consitituent words and the meaning of the idiom
1. Characteristics of idioms 1) Semantic unity Each idiom is a semantic unity. The semantic unity can be reflected by the fact that the meaning of an idiom is very often not the total sum of the meanings of the constituent words. The semantic unity can aslo be shown in the illogical relations between the literal meanings of the consitituent words and the meaning of the idiom
2) Structural stability Structural stability means that the structure of an idiom usually remains unchangible. In other words, the constituent components of an idiom can not,generally speaking, be replaced
2) Structural stability Structural stability means that the structure of an idiom usually remains unchangible. In other words, the constituent components of an idiom can not, generally speaking, be replaced
2. Classification of idioms D)Idioms norminal in nature They function as nouns in a sentence white elephant brain trust Jack of all trades
2. Classification of idioms 1)Idioms norminal in nature: They function as nouns in a sentence: white elephant brain trust Jack of all trades
2 )Idioms adjectival in nature They function as adjectives in a sentence cut and dried wide of the mark up in the air
2)Idioms adjectival in nature They function as adjectives in a sentence. cut and dried wide of the mark up in the air