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Idiom
01
expression idiomatique
a group of words or a phrase that has a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its individual words, often specific to a particular language or culture
What is an "idiom"?
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning cannot be understood by looking at the individual words alone. Idioms often convey a figurative meaning that is culturally specific and may not translate directly into other languages. For example, the idiom "kick the bucket" means "to die", and its literal interpretation does not reflect this meaning. Idioms enrich language by adding color and expressiveness, allowing speakers to convey complex ideas or emotions in a clear way. Understanding idioms is important for effective communication, as they are commonly used in both spoken and written language.
02
idiome, locution
a manner of speaking or writing that is characteristic of a particular person, group, or era, and that involves the use of particular words, phrases, or expressions in a distinctive way
03
idiome, style
the style of a particular artist or school or movement
04
idiome, expression idiomatique
the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
idiom
n
idiomatic
adj
idiomatic
adj
Exemple
When someone says 'it's raining cats and dogs,' they're using an idiom to describe very heavy rain, not an actual downpour of animals.
The idiom 'piece of cake' refers to something that is very easy to do, which has nothing to do with an actual piece of dessert.
The idiom 'kick the bucket' means to die, and its meaning is quite different from the literal interpretation of kicking a bucket.
The phrase 'spill the beans' is an idiom that means to reveal a secret, rather than literally causing beans to fall.
In English, the idiom 'break the ice' is used to describe starting a conversation in a social setting to ease tension, not actually cracking ice.
