English Morphology and Lexicology

1. English Morphology and Lexicology Shaoguangqing@gmail.com www.windofspring.weebly.com

2. Chapter 9 English Idioms • 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • 1) Semantic unity • 2) Structural stability • 9.2 Classification of idioms • 9.3 Use of idioms • 1) Stylistic features • 2) Rhetorical features • 3) Variations of idioms

6. Idioms • Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements. • fly+off+the+handle≠ fly off the handle Become excessively angry

7. Idioms • Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements. • put+up+with≠ put up with tolerate

8. Idioms • In a broad sense, idioms may include • Colloquialisms • Catchphrases • Slang expressions • Proverbs • …

9. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • till the cows come home • adv. • forever • Semantic unity: the various words that make up the idiom have lost their individual identity; the part of speech of each word is no longer important, and the idiom functions as one word.

10. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • How do you do? • Form of greeting≠ • In what way do you do things? • Semantic unity: is also reflected in the illogical relationship between the literal meaning of each word and the meaning of the idiom.

11. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • in a brown study (= deep in thought) • ≠in a (red, green, white, …) study • ≠in a brown (room, den, hall, studio, cell, …) • Structural stability: the structure of an idiom is to a large extent unchangeable.

12. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • by twos and threes ≠by threes and twos • tit for tat ≠tat for tit • Structural stability: the word order can not be inverted or changed.

13. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • Out of the question ≠out of question • in question ≠in the question • Structural stability: the constituents of an idiom can not be deleted or added to.

14. 9.1 Characteristics of idioms • diamond cut diamond • as sure as eggs is eggs • Structural stability: many idioms are grammatically unanalysable.

15. Idiomaticity scale true idioms Semi- idioms Regular combinations

16. 9.2 Classification of idioms • Idioms nominal in nature • Idioms adjectival in nature • Idioms verbal in nature • Idioms adverbial in nature • Sentence idioms

17. 9.3 Use of idioms • 1. stylistic features • Coloquialisms • Slang • Literary expressions

18. In deep water • Having lost her passport, she is now in deep water. • in trouble or difficulty

19. tide over • Will you lend me some money to tide me over until I get my pay cheque? • help sb through (a difficult period) by providing what he needs

20. Take the helm • =be at the helm • at the head of an organization, etc; in control

21. kill two birds with one stone • achieve two aims with a single action or simultaneously

22. a bull in a china shop • person who is rough and clumsy when skill and care are needed

23. put all one's eggs in/into one basket • risk everything one has on the success of one plan, eg by putting all one's money into one business

24. new brooms sweep clean • a person newly appointed to a responsible position (starts to change and improve things energetically, in a way that is sometimes resented by others)

25. Wash one’s dirty linen in public • discuss one's personal (esp unpleasant) affairs or quarrels in public

26. Keep the pot boiling • (a) keep sth (eg a children‘s game) moving at a fast pace • (b) keep interest in sth alive

27. boil down • boil (sth) down =reduce or be reduced by boiling • boil sth down (to sth) =(infml 口) summarize sth; condense sth: Could you boil that article down to 400 words? • boil down to sth= (be able to) be summarized as sth: The issue really boils down to a clash between left and right.

28. jump at the bait • be cheated

29. a fish out of water • =person who feels uncomfortable or awkward because he is in unfamiliar surroundings • With my working-class background I feel like a fish out of water among these high-society people.

30. hit below the belt • (fight) unfairly

31. play fair • =play or act fairly, following rules or accepted standards • Come on, you‘re not playing fair.

32. bring around • I'll try to bring him around to your views. • If you bring someone around, you cause them to change their opinion about something so that they agree with you. • I'd passed out and he'd brought me round. • If you bring someone around when they are unconscious, you make them become conscious again.

33. bring home the bacon • (infml 口) achieve sth successfully

34. 2. rhetorical features Phonetic manipulation Alliteration Rhyme Lexical manipulation Reiteration Repetition Juxtaposition Figures of speech Simile Metaphor Metonymy Synecdoche Personification euphemism 9.3 Use of idioms

35. 9.3 Use of idioms • 3. variations of idioms • replacement • Addition or deletion • Position-shifting • Shortening • Dismembering

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