9.2-Classification of idioms.ppt

English idioms
Classification of idioms
The idioms ,in a broad sense ,include slang, proverbs, common sayings and idioms. They have various forms, for example, phrases、clauses and sentences.
Different ways to classify the idioms
origin
Idioms from the bible :
lead by nose control pletely
wheels within plicated situation or
relationship
eat one’s own flesh lazy and idle persons
Different ways to classify the idioms
to semantic relationship
the meaning of the idioms can be clearly figured out from each word’s meaning.
show one’s teeth (angry)
What done is done. (木已成舟)
green as grass ( young or inexperienced )
Different ways to classify the idioms
to the morphological structure

Strike while the iron is hot.

Barking dogs do not bite.

More haste ,less speed.
Different ways to classify the idioms
to the grammatical functions
Reason:
help us to correct the wrong use of the idioms in our daily life ,and make us have a clear mind of the idioms which have their own liberal meanings
Classification according to the grammatical functions
nominal in nature

They have a noun as the key word in each and work as a noun in the sentence.
Classification according to the grammatical functions
Examples
a white elephant :something useless and unwanted but big and costly (a +n)
flesh and blood :relatives and family
(n + conj + n)
clean hand: innocence
green hand: inexperienced person (a+ n )
land of promised :paradise (n + prep + n)
Classification according to the grammatical functions
adjective in nature
Their constituents are probably not adjective , but they function as adjectives.
Examples:
as poor as a church mouse: having or earning barely enough money for one’s own needs (as + a + as + n)
Classification according to the grammatical functions
all things to all men :take great pain to today to all person (n +prep +n)
eg.
Being a man of the world ,he is all things to a