Preview

Difference between Idiom, Phrase and Proverb

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
825 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Difference between Idiom, Phrase and Proverb
What is difference among Proverb, Idiom and Phrase.
IDIOM
An "idiom" is a phrase that has a specific meaning, different than you would expect based on the individual words.
Idiom is more subtle. It can be informal or merely non-literal, and either a phrase or a complete sentence. Here are two examples of idioms that are also phrases: * brick and mortar (a traditional business, in contrast to e-commerce) * town and gown (when a school or university is in close proximity with a surrounding community, this is a way of distinguishing between academicians or students versus local residents who are not affiliated with the school)
Here's the subtle part: It requires an idiomatic understanding of language to use these non-obvious forms of speech correctly. Idioms resemble metaphors, but are more general.
PHRASE
It's a group of words acting as a single unit in a sentence.eg:- 1. The house at the end of the street is spooky.(here "house at the end of the street" is the phrase and acts like a noun)
- "Phrase" can really describe any collection of words.
A phrase is “a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit”, while an idiom is “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words”. So, the difference is that an idiom as an established meaning not directly linked to the individual words. Any idiom is a phrase.
As an example, “raining cats and dogs” is both an idiom and a phrase. “A herd of cats” is a phrase but not an idiom.
PROVERBS
A proverbs is a commonly used sentence which is simple and expresses a common truth or practical knowledge. Sayings are the sentences which are commonly used. Proverbs are a type of sayings, other sayings are cliché , motto, idioms and many more.
"Proverbs" are famous sayings that include some kind of advice.
PROVERB is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Pt1420 Unit 2 Study Guide

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A phrase is a group of words that is used as single word in a sentence.…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AP Lang Vocabulary

    • 1846 Words
    • 8 Pages

    4. Aphorism: a brief, memorable, sometimes witty statement of a principle or opinion (terms that you need to know that more or less mean the same thing are: epigram, maxim, or adage).…

    • 1846 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AP Literature Study Guide

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Aphorism - A brief statement which expresses an observation on life, usually intended as a wise observation.…

    • 996 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Apollo 13

    • 300 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A figure of speech is an idiom, metaphor, or simile. In this case, the quote is an idiom. An idiom is a figure of speech that is meant not to be taken literally. It’s raining cats and dogs is an example of an idiom. This idiom just means it’s raining hard. It does not mean it is literally raining cats and dogs. Some songs even have idioms in them.…

    • 300 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Aphorisms in the Odyssey

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages

    By Definition, an aphorism is a terse saying embodying a general truth or astute observation. It is derived from the Greek word aphorismos, meaning to delimit or define, and was first made popular in Aphorisms by Hippocrates.…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A cliché is something that is used, or overused, by people to make a point or add emphasis to something they are saying.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Burke’s article discusses proverbs at length. The Oxford American College Dictionary defines the word proverb as “a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice.” This modern definition is a partial fit with Burke’s view of a proverb. Burke takes the definition a step further and proposes that proverbs…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    aphorism- a statement regarding philosophical, moral, and literary principles expressed in a concise, witty manner. For example, in Macbeth Macbeth states that "life is a tale told by an idiot-- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" (Shakespeare V. 5. 24-26 ). He is stating his philosophical opinion on life, saying, in a fancy way, that it means nothing. 12.…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Work

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages

    3. A) cliché- An expression that has been overused to often that it has been worn-out.…

    • 441 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Legal Studies: Essay Guide

    • 1693 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Also, always use formal language and avoid colloquialisms and clichés. Whilst most people know this, some colloquialisms are difficult to pick up on. For example, the word “things” as in “Hence, these things demonstrate that....” is an example of colloquial language.…

    • 1693 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Free Writing

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Cliché is something that is used or overused, by people to make a point or add emphasis to something they are saying. √…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    essay 3

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Proverbs is a book in the Bible that presents a variety of topics from the Hebrews such as family, marriage, self-control, and wealth. Throughout all of Proverbs, wisdom and folly is talked about more than other topics. Wisdom is doing what is right and making good choices, whereas folly refers to being foolish and making unwise choices. Diligence and laziness are two topics that are also talked about greatly in the book of proverbs.…

    • 824 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Book Of Exodus

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Proverbs is full of wise sayings and rhyming quotes that portray a higher truth. Many of the…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    50 English Proverbs

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages

    50 English Proverbs - for use in English classes 1 FAILURE TEACHES SUCCESS. 2 WHERE THERE IS WHISPERING, THERE IS LYING. 3 HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. 4 PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL 5 CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. 6 AS THE CALL, SO THE ECHO.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its constituent words. Knowledge of idioms is an important part of comprehension of the English language. Below is a list of some commonly used idioms in English with their meanings and usage.…

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics