There are 7 types of idiom. They are: pure idioms, binomial idioms, partial idioms, prepositional idioms, proverbs, euphemisms and cliches.
Some idioms may fit into multiple different categories. For example, the idiom “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” is both a cliché and a proverb.
What is an Idiom?
Idioms are figurative phrases whose meanings are not deducible from the phrase alone. They are expressions that we have developed in our language over time.
Idioms differ from other types of figurative language such as metaphors and similes because these other figurative forms involve comparative elements ('like' or 'as') to help you to deconstruct (analyze critically), the meaning even if you are not a native speaker of the language.
1. Pure Idioms / Opaque Idioms (non-transparent)
Pure idioms are idioms whose original meaning is lost to the extent that there is no possible way to analyze the phrase logically to come to an understanding of its meaning.
Unlike some of the other types of idioms listed below, these idioms tend not to have significant overlap with figures of speech like metaphors and similes, because there is no comparison or meaning that could possibly be derived from it.
BOTTOM LINE (C2) key/main/essential point, main thing/point/idea, crucial fact, result, final outcome, whole story, what it's all about, what's important (lo fundamental, la conclusión, en resumidas / a fin de cuentas). See the name of the game
The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently. Rihanna
The bottom line is to have fun and enjoy life. Rekha.
There are going to be good days and bad days. Bottom line. James Mattis.
A partial idiom contains a literal part and a non-literal part. An example is “storm brewing in his eyes.” This idiom refers to a look of ferocity in someone’s face that can usually be identified in the intensity of their eyes.
Partial idioms are often also metaphors because the half of the idiom that is literal part (the eyes) derive additional descriptive meaning via comparison to the non-literal part (the storm, in the above instance, implying the eyes are ‘fierce like a storm’).
3. Binomial and trinomial Idioms
Binomial idioms are idioms that involve two parts that work together or in contrast to construct an expression. Binomial expressions are common English phrases that include a pair of words usually joined by “and” or “or” (e.g. black and white, plain and simple, more or less). The order of the words is usually fixed, and they are a single chunk of English vocabulary. ex: He fell for it hook, line and sinker. (Utterly deceived or tricked).
by and large (old-fashioned), In general, on the whole, (en general, por lo general, en lineas generales). See by and by (soon, before long): ex: I’ll be with you by and by enseguida estoy contigo; you’ll be sorry by and by no tardarás en arrepentirte.
by and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth. George Carlin
4. Prepositional Idioms
Prepositional idioms are idioms that contain prepositional verbs plus an adverb or a preposition to create non-literal meaning. These types of idioms need to be placed into a sentence and cannot be used in isolation (they are not ‘fixed collocational idioms’).
These sorts of phrases are often learned by rote by new English language learners in order to understand the language.
for the time being for now, for the moment, (por ahora, de momento)
Being alone has a power over me that never fails. My interior dissolves (for the time being only superficially) and is ready to release what lies deeper. When I am willfully alone, a slight ordering of my interior begins to take place and I need nothing more. Franz Kafka (Diaries).
5. Idiomatic phrasal verbs
These phrasal verbs cannot be understood from the individual meanings of the verb and preposition. These phrases are idioms, which means that their meanings are unpredictable, or opaque – they can’t be guessed. In a way, these phrases are similar to individual vocabulary words: the verb-preposition pair has a unique meaning, and we learn that unique meaning the way we learn individual vocabulary words. In the next example, 'carry out' means ‘accomplish’, a meaning that has no clear connection to the words carry or out. ex: jot down, harp on about (Brexit), crow about, mull over (sth), muster up (sth), plod on/along, fawn over sb, face up to sth, hash out (sth); ex: I should be grateful if Smith would 'carry out' these investigations. In the next example, 'give up' means surrender, and doesn’t appear to connect to the meaning of give or up: I learned last season not to give up.
mull over (sth) to think carefully about sth for a long time, syn: ponder, consider (reflexionar sobre, meditar); work out (sth) 1. to develop in a successful way (salir): ex: My first job didn't work out; how did it work out? ¿qué tal salió? 2. solve, (UK) to find the answer to sth, 3. to work out a plan idear/urdir un plan, 4 understand; ex: I just couldn’t work it out no lograba entenderlo.
When I got older, I noticed that not all questions can be asked and that many whys can never be answered. As a result, I tried to work things out for myself by mulling over my own questions. Anne Frank (Anne Frank's Tales from the Secret Annex)
muster up (sth) 1. build up: energy, courage (armarse de, sacar, reunir); 2. make: a meal, (improvisar)
Sometimes forgiveness is a tough thing to muster up. And forgetting? Well, you have to find the forgiveness first. Hopefully the forgetting will come...with time. Mike West
6. Proverbs (proverbial idioms)
Proverbs are idioms that provide universal truths or sage advice. They are often provided by wise people or contain morals that are passed on from generation to generation. Many of our proverbs come from old religious or philosophical texts.
6. Euphemisms
Euphemisms are expressions that are used to soften a message that might otherwise be too harsh, blunt or politically incorrect. We will use them when gently chastising someone, talking about something uncomfortable, or even talking about taboo topics such as sexuality.
7. Clichés
A cliché is a term that has been so overused over time that it is considered intellectually lazy, not funny, unoriginal, or stereotyping when used.
They are often avoided by creative writers, novelists, and songwriters because they betray any sense of seriousness or skill.
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