An Inquiry Into Idioms

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An Inquiry Into Idioms

• By Susan Park

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What is an idiom?

• That is what we are
• going to find out!

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The definition

• Idiom- an expression whose meanings cannot be
  inferred from the meanings of the words that make
  it up.
• In other words, it is a statement, which can not
  be inferred. The real meaning of the statement
  can not be discovered based only on the words
  used in the statement.

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Now lets look at some examples.
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BROKE THE ICE

• LITERAL MEANING (not an idiom)Before the
  bartender made the drink, he broke the ice with a
  spoon and dropped in into the glass.

www.raynewater.com/
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BROKE THE ICE

• IDIOMATIC MEANING (an idiom)Before the
  conference began, the speaker broke the ice with
  a joke.

www.auburn.edu/.../ people20at20meeting.jpg
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Definitions

• to break the ice 1. to make a beginning 2. to
  get through the first difficulties in starting a
  conversation or discussion.

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If someone asks you to break the ice they
probably want you to

• A) start chipping away at a block of ice
• B) ask a friend to help you carry the broken ice
  to your room
• C) introduce yourself to someone you have never
  met and get to know them. (Think about those fun
  get to know you activities on the first day of
  school!)

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If you said C) introduce yourself to someone you
have never met and get to know them you are
correct!
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Lets look at another example.
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Idioms are phrases that have a secret meaning.

• GO BANANAS!!!

www.iliumsoft.com/ site/fg/dw_pix.htm
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The phrase, Go bananas means

• a) hungry monkeys
• b) banana hunting
• c) to go crazy

www.iliumsoft.com/ site/fg/dw_pix.htm
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If you answered C to go crazy you are correct!
www.cnn.com/.../green. monkey.02/story.monkey.jpg
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Let The Cat Out Of The Bag

• The phrase, let the cat out of the bag means to
  tell a secret.

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A Snap
www.clubztutoring.com/ images/finger_snap.gif

• a snap something that's very easy to do.
• Shaquille "Is your job difficult?"
• Sayquon "No, actually it's a snap. In fact, it's
  so easy that it's a little bit boring.

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Lend Someone A Hand
www.ahsc.arizona.edu/.../ images/hands.gif

• lend someone a hand help someone.
• "I can't do this alone. Can you lend me a hand?"

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Pooped

• pooped very tired exhausted.
• "I went to bed really early last night. I was
  pooped!"

mikesjournal.com/ sleepy20kid.jpg
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It is time to show me what you know! You will
follow the simple instructions on your handout in
order to create an idiom page of your very own.
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Your page will need to have the following

• 1) Title (name of idiom)2) Definition of
  idiom (what it is supposed to mean) 3) A
  sentence or example using the idiom. 4) A
  picture from clip art or the internet
• that supports the idiom5) Your name