The meaning of idioms Types of idioms

Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009

3.4.2. Vocabulary study book

The way to increase you word power is to use vocabulary study books. Many vocabulary books and programs are available. These books will help you increase your vocabulary if you have the determination required to work with them on a regular basis.

3.4.3 Idiom

English has a lot of idiom. It is not only used in conversation but also in writing like books, newspapers, magazines etc. if someone speak no use idiom, so the language that is use certainly will monotonous. Idiom make a language become beautiful. Ability’s someone use idiom in daily conversation or in writing, it means someone really understand language that is used. In this section, we will learn about the meaning of idioms and types of idioms.

a. The meaning of idioms

Idiom is a group words with a special meaning, which cannot be understood by taking the meanings of the words one at a time Robby lou, 2007:1 Examples: - He failed his test; it served him right because he had not studies. Meaning of idiom ‘to serve one right’ by harfiah in Indonesian is “melayani dia dengan benar”. However, the right translation is “itu adalah imbalan yang tepat”. Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009 From the examples and definition of idioms, Robby Lou 2007:1 in his book “The Handbook of English idioms” can conclude that: 1. Idiom cannot be understood from the word by word, but it should be learned on the whole 2. Position of idiom is often strange, illogical, and frequently in grammatical cannot be accepted. Idioms have become from combination vocabulary that form new meaning. Combination of the words is unexpected and does no have exact pattern because they can be gotten from culture, histories, proverbial, and in fact daily. For example, - Crocodile tears, means “sadness which is actually not felt”. This idiom was gotten from legend that crocodile have a sad voice to interest attention sacrifice and crying when it eat them. - Cry wolf, means “give emergency warming which is actually not true”. Idioms were gotten from history about a shepherd child that gave a false scream. It means that the wolf is eating sacrifice just for nicely. - Pay the piper or pay the fiddler means “take consequence” The idiom was gotten from the proverbial ‘who dances must pay the piper or the fiddler’. - Tail between one’s leg means that “lose feeling, shy, and very discipline”. The idiom was gotten from a dog that is stroked, usually it hides tail between thighs, and then go”. Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009

b. Types of idioms

Idiom can be grouped into eight parts, namely; idioms with adjectives and noun in combination, idioms with preposition or adverbs, two-two verbs, idioms in comparison, idiomatic verbal expressions, verbs and nouns used together idiomatically, idiomatic adjective phrases, verbs, and preposition used together idiomatically. Each of the types has some combination. We can study them in the idiom books. In the book have been explained all about idiom.

A. Idiom with adjectives and nouns in combination

1. Pairs of adjectives

The both adjectives is usually joined with and, or and but, etc. Examples: a. Short and sweet not wasting time; direct; brisk - Today’s lecture is short and sweet. b. Far and wide everywhere - His name has spread far and wide c. Last but not least important although coming at the end - Last but not least i would like to thank God for every think.

2. Pairs of nouns

Examples: a. Bag and baggage with one’s all luggage Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009 - They left the place bag and baggage. b. Heart and soul wholly - do it heart and soul, and you will be successful. c. Flesh and blood one’s family or relations - No matter how sinful he is, he is your own flesh and blood.

3. Pair of adverbs and prepositions

Example; a. Again and again very often, repeatedly -haven’t I told you again and again not to do it? b. Once and for all finally and completely - Let’s settle his once and for all. c. Here and now immediately, at this very time and place - I want my money back, and I want it here and now.

4. Pairs of verb

Example: a. Hope and pray - hope and pray for the best b. Wait and see wait patiently - Let’s wait and see for a while before we make any decision. c. Moan and goan complain Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009 - do not moan and groan all the time. You are actually much luckier that most people

5. Collective noun phrases a. people

Examples: 1. a company of actor 2. a troupe of dancer 3. a party of friends 4. a gang of laborers 5. a band of musicians 6. a tribe of natives 7. a team of players 8. a posse of policeman 9. a class of pupils 10. a crew of sailor

b. things