We cannot speek just using the simple words, we need to ornament our language with something that could make our language more orchestrated. Listeners find it interesting and they pay a heed to what we say. And it always gives a good feeling when someone gives you the respect you deserve, I mean to your language. Language is the mirror of your personality. "An idiom is a term or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use. In linguistics, idioms are widely assumed to be figures of speech that contradict the principle of compositionality; however, this has shown to be a subject of debate". Wikipedia. |
1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: It's better to have a small actual advantage than the chance of a greater one.
2. A bunch of fives: A fist
3. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link: The proverb has a literal meaning, although the 'weakest link' referred to is figurative and usually applies to a person or technical feature rather than the link of an actual chain.
4. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger: Literal meaning - a person or thing that is viewed more with sadness than with anger.
5. A Daniel come to judgment: Someone who makes a wise judgement about something that has previously proven difficult to resolve.
6. A diamond in the rough : Someone who is basically good hearted but lacking social graces and respect for the law.
7. A diamond is forever: Advertising slogan for De Beers' diamonds.
8. A dish fit for the gods: An offering of high quality.
9. A drop in the bucket: A very small proportion of the whole.
10. A fate worse than death: Any misfortune that would make life unlivable, especially rape or loss of virginity. The phrase was formally a euphemism for rape.
11. A feather in one's cap: A symbol of honour and achievement.
12. A fish out of water: Someone in a situation they are unsuited to.
13. A fly in the ointment : A small but irritating flaw that spoils the whole thing.
14. A fool's paradise: A state of happiness based on false hope.
15. A foot in the door: An introduction or way in to something, made in order that progress may be made later.
16. A foregone conclusion: A decision made before the evidence for it is known. An inevitable conclusion.
17. A friend in need is a friend indeed:It is sometimes suggested that this phrase means 'someone who needs your help becomes friendly in order to obtain it'. That isn't supported by the derivation (below). Most people understand it to mean, 'someone who helps you when you are in need is a true friend'.
18. A good man is hard to find:A modern-day proverb, espousing the difficulty of finding a suitable male partner.
19. A knight in shining armour:A person, usually a man, who comes to the aid of another, usually a woman, in a gallant and courteous manner.
20. À la carte: On the menu, with each dish priced.
21. À la mode: Fashionable. Also, in the USA, a form of dessert - with ice cream.
22. A no-brainer:Something that requires little mental effort or intelligence to perform or understand. The term is often applied to decisions which are straightforward or sometimes to people who appear to lack intelligence.
23. A priori:From the previous.
24. A little bird told me:I was told by a private or secret source.
25. A plague on both your houses:A frustrated curse on both sides of an argument.
26. A sight for sore eyes:A welcome visitor - someone you are glad to see.
27. A Rose is a Rose is a Rose: The meaning most often attributed to this is the notion that when all is said and done, a thing is what it is. This is in similar vein to Shakespeare's 'a rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. That's not the interpretation given by the author of the phrase - see below.
28. A sorry sight:A regrettable and unwelcome aspect or feature. Now also used to mean something or someone of untidy appearance.