Meaning & Definition of word "Idiom"

Idiom

/ˈɪdiəm/

1. A group of words whose meaning is not deducible from those of the individual words.
- Example: The phrase 'kick the bucket' is an idiom meaning to die.
2. A language or dialect peculiar to a people or to a district, or a characteristic mode of expression.
- Example: The author's use of idiom gives her writing a unique cultural flavor.
3. An expression whose meaning is culturally understood but may not be immediately clear to non-native speakers.
- Example: When he said 'it's raining cats and dogs,' it was an idiom that confounded many foreigners.
4. The syntax and vocabulary that characterize the language of a particular group.
- Example: The idiom used in poetic works can often be quite different from everyday language.
5. A style of art or music that is characteristic of a particular group.
- Example: The idiom of the region's folk music is rich in cultural heritage.

From Latin idiomus, from Greek idiōma meaning 'peculiarity, special feature,' from idios meaning 'one's own.'

Break the ice:

To initiate conversation in a social setting.

Bite the bullet:

To endure a painful or unpleasant situation.

Let the cat out of the bag:

To reveal a secret.

proverb:

A short, traditional saying that expresses a truth or piece of advice.

phraseology:

The way in which words and phrases are used in a particular language.

Meaning: Colloquial expression

Example Sentence: Using 'gonna' instead of 'going to' is an idiom sometimes used in casual speech.

Meaning: Informal version of standard expressions

Example Sentence: 'Hit the road' is a slang idiom meaning to leave.