Below
is a sample from the book I am writing - Business Idioms in America
Okay,
so what is an idiom?
An
idiom is a comparison. Let me explain. Look at the following examples.
1. Jack is as hungry as
a wolf.
2. Jack eats like a
wolf.
3. Hey, wolfman! How are
you? Long time, no see!
4. Jack's an animal. The
guy's crazy.
In
examples 1 and 2, I am comparing Jack to a wolf. A wolf is a wild animal and
when hungry, watch out! When I say, "Jack is as hungry as a wolf," I am speaking (writing)
figuratively. Is my friend Jack a real (literal) wolf? No. Instead, I am
figuratively (idiomatically) comparing him to a wolf to create a picture in
your mind. As you can see, an idiom is a comparison that paints a figurative (descriptive)
picture using words.
In
examples 3 and 4, I am still idiomatically comparing Jack to an animal.
However, I am not using the comparatives "like" or "as."
This kind of idiomatic comparison (not using like or as) is called an
indirect comparison or a metaphor
(met-ah-for). A metaphor is an implied (suggested) comparison. Notice how in
examples 1 and 2, I do use "like" and "as." This kind of idiomatic
comparison is called a direct comparison or a simile (sim-ah-lee).
Remember: An idiom is either a metaphor
or a simile.
è
How do you know if what you are reading, saying or hearing is an idiom or not?
Look for the comparison. If there is a comparison (a simile or a metaphor),
then it is an idiom. If there is no comparison (no simile or metaphor), it is
not an idiom. If it sounds like an idiom, but there is no comparison, it is
probably a common expression, a prepositional phrase, a phrasal verb, or slang.
And
that, in a nutshell, is the skinny on idioms. It's time to get the show on the
road.
Bruce
Stirling
