英语写作基础教案修辞篇.doc

IV. Idioms Refined and sanctified by long usage, idioms have been described as the crystallization of language. Without idioms our language would become dull and dry, whereas an appropriate use of them in our speech and writing will add to the strength and vividness posed of few words, contain an extremely profound and rich meaning; for another most idioms carry a vivid image. An idiom is a fixed group of words with a special meaning which is different from the meanings of the words that form it. To “read a book”, for instance, is not an idiom, for the meaning of the phrase is the meanings of the three words put together, and “a book” can be replaced by other words like “a newspaper” or “a magazine”. To “read between the lines” is different. The four words that form the idiom give no hint as to what it means and none of the words can be changed to form another understandable phrase. English is rich in idioms. The following types of idioms are most common: Phrasal verbs e.g. put up with: tolerate; live with turn out: prove look forward to: expect carry on: conduct or transact come across: be confronted with N. + prep. + n. e.g. a straw in the wind: a slight hint that shows which way things may develop the apple of one’s eye: sb. or sth. dearly loved like a fish out of water: feel uncomfortable or awkward because of being in unfamiliar surroundings in a world of one’s own: live a life of fantasy without communicating with other people; in private Prep. + n. e.g. in kind: (of payment) in goods or natural produce, not in money on the air: broadcasting at length: eventually, at last; in great detail (come off/through) with flying colors: make a great success of sth. V. + n. e.g. won’t hold water: (of theories) to be not sound when tested slip one’s mind: forget kill two birds with one stone: get twice the result with half effort go to the dog