Grammar - Idioms, Cliches, Jargon, Slang, Euphemisms, and Wordiness - Quick Guides

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Study GuideGrammar–Idioms, Clichés, Jargon, Slang, Euphemisms,and Wordiness1. IdiomsAnidiomis a common phrase whose meaningcannot be understood literally. The words in thephrase may seem unrelated, but together they express a particular idea.Examples:•They can't come up with the answer.(meaning: they cannot figure it out)•The director stood up for herself.(meaning: she defended herself)•The play ended with a bang.(meaning: it ended spectacularly)Notice: If you look at each word individually, the literal meaning doesn’t make sense.1.1Learning Idioms•Native speakersalready know thousands of idioms naturally—they don’t need to memorizethem.•Language learnersmay find idioms challenging because their meanings are not logical.1. Figurative IdiomsThese are idioms whose meaning is understood through common use. They are often so familiar thatpeople rarely question them.Examples:•Let the cat out of the bag→ reveal a secret•He has a monkey on his back→ has a burden or problem•It's the straw that broke the camel's back→ the final small problem that causes failure•The ball's in your court→ it’s your turn to take actionTip: Figurative idioms can becomeclichés, so use them sparingly.

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Study Guide2. Prepositional IdiomsThese idioms rely onspecific prepositions, which often seem arbitrary. The choice of preposition isidiomatic—there’s no logical rule.Examples:•She put up with him(correct) vs.She put on with him(incorrect)•At home(correct) vs.In home(incorrect)•Sick of him(correct) vs.Sick from him(incorrect)•Get in a carvs.get on a boatSome words formdifferent idioms with different prepositions, so context matters.1.2Examples of Common Prepositional Idioms•accountable for(responsible for)—I amaccountable forthe errors in the book.•accountable to(answerable to someone)—I amaccountable tothe board of directors.•adapt from(a model)—Headaptedthe designfromone he had seen in Europe.•adapt to(a situation, an environment)—The children soonadapted tothe new school.•agree on or upon(something)—Weagreed ona date for the meeting.•agree to(do something)—Weagree topay the damages.•agree with(people, opinions)—The women who were polledagreed withthe judge.•annoyed ator with(a person)—The physician wasannoyed ather for the interruption.•annoyed by(something)—The physician wasannoyed bythe constant interruptions.•assist at(an event)—Heassisted atthe service.•assist with(someone or something)—Mr. Nguyenassisted withthe refreshments and theflowers.•contend for(a position, a prize)—The candidates havecontended forthe office twice.•contend with(an obstacle)—The candidate has tocontend withhis lack of personal charm.•depart for(notto, a destination)—Theydepart forCanada tomorrow.

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Study Guide•depart from(a destination, a tradition)—Theydeparted fromtheir routine today.•grateful for(a benefit)—I amgrateful formy musical talent.•grateful to(a person)—I amgrateful toyou for the help.•impatient at(a delay)—They wereimpatient athaving to wait so long.•impatient for(a result)—We areimpatient foran answer from the administration.•impatient with(a person)—He wasimpatient withthe clerk.•part from(leave)—Iparted fromthe group early this year.•part with(a possession)—Iparted withthe Volvo reluctantly.1.3Tips for Learning Prepositional Idioms1.Trust your ear: Listen to native speakers and read widely.2.Check a dictionary: Many dictionaries list idioms with the correct preposition.3.Practice in context: Using idioms correctly comes with experience, not just memorization.Key point: Prepositional idiomsdon’t follow logical rules, so learning the right preposition for eachexpression is essential.2.Quiz: IdiomsQuestion 1Choose theTRUEstatement about idiomatic expressions.Answer Choices• It's best to memorize all the idiomatic expressions in the English language.•There are thousands of idioms in English, and you cannot memorize them all.• Translate the idiom literally, and you will be able to understand the expression.Correct AnswerThere are thousands of idioms in English, and you cannot memorize them all.

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Study GuideWhy This Is Correct• Idioms are learned throughuse and context, not memorization.• Literal translation usually doesnotreveal the meaning.Question 2Complete the definition.An idiom is ________Answer Choices• a common expression meant to sound sarcastic and implausible to the listener or reader.• an idiotic expression repeatedly used by a cultural or language group.•a commonly used phrase or expression with a meaning different from a literal translation.Correct Answera commonly used phrase or expression with a meaning different from a literal translation.Why This Is Correct• Idioms mean somethingother thanwhat the individual words suggest.Question 3Which of the following doesNOTshow an example of an idiomatic expression?Answer Choices• When it comes to golf, he's a real mad dog.• We'd better get down to brass tacks and finish this project.•The golf foursome finished the course before it started raining.

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerThe golf foursome finished the course before it started raining.Why This Is Correct• This sentence isliteraland means exactly what it says.• The other choices use figurative expressions.Question 4Which of the following shows an example of anidiomatic expression?Answer Choices•His investments failed, and he lost the family nest egg.• He didn't invest wisely and lost a lot of money.• He shouldn't have invested so much in that risky project.Correct AnswerHis investments failed, and he lost the family nest egg.Why This Is Correct•Nest eggis an idiom meaningsavings, not a literal egg.Question 5Which sentence showsCORRECT use of a prepositional idiom?Answer Choices•Curt was under the weather and didn't come to work today.• Curt was over the weather and didn't come to work today.• Curt was on the weather and didn't come to work today.

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerCurt was under the weather and didn't come to work today.Why This Is Correct•Under the weatheris a common idiom meaningnot feeling well.Question 6Which sentence showsCORRECT use of a prepositional idiom?Answer Choices• Tran was fired off of his job on Friday afternoon.•Tran was fired from his job on Friday afternoon.• Neither a nor bCorrect AnswerTran was fired from his job on Friday afternoon.Why This Is Correct•Fired fromis the correct idiomatic preposition.•Off ofis informal and incorrect in this context.3.Clichés3.1What Are Clichés?Clichés are expressions that have been used so much they’ve lost their impact. Many clichés rely onfigurative language—comparing one thing to another in a creative way. When a phrase is first created,it can be fresh and exciting. For example, expressionslike“pretty as a picture,” “old as the hills,”“sharp as a tack,”and“smart as a whip”were once new and clever ways to describe things.

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Study GuideOver time, though, these expressions became overused. Now, many writers avoid them because theyfeel tired and predictable.You’ll find clichés everywhere: online chats, social media, newspapers, magazines, and TV. Peoplemight say someone is“following his dream”or trying to“burst his bubble.”Sometimes“what yousee is what you get,”but sometimes people havehidden agendas.Watch out for phrases like“real-life superheroes,” “unsung heroes,” “living legends,” “people who live in glass houses,”or“the man on the street.”3.2Common Examples of ClichésSome clichés are phrases that have been repeated so often they’ve become part of everydaylanguage. Here are a few:•all bent out of shape•axe to grind•contributing factor•first and foremost•grave danger•go belly up•get an earful•grisly murder•once and for all•tried and true•vital roleThese expressions spread quickly, but because everyone uses them, they can make writing feel dull.Avoid them when you can.3.3Mixing Clichés Can Be ConfusingSometimes, people accidentally mix clichés and create funny or confusing phrases.For example, a TV reporter once said a man“signed his own death knell.”The reporter probablymeant“signed his own death warrant”(meaning he caused his own destruction), but mixed it with“sounding the death knell”(meaning to signal the end of something).

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Study GuideAknellis the sound of a bell tolling at a funeral—so obviously, you can’t literally sign a knell! Mixingclichés like this can confuse your audience.3.4How to Avoid ClichésBefore using a common expression, think carefully:•Is there a more precise or descriptive way to say this?•Can you describe the feeling or action in your own words?For example, instead of saying“hopping mad”or“mad as a wet hen,”it’s stronger to simply say“he was enraged.”Also, don’t use a cliché and then apologize for it. Saying“Pardon my cliché, but…”draws attentionto the overused phrase and weakens your writing.3.5Using Clichés in Creative WaysSometimes, clichés can be fun if you use them in anew, surprising way.•Baseball legendYogi Berrajoked,“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”•Civil rights activistH. Rap Brownsaid,“Violence is as American as cherry pie.”These twists catch the audience off guard and make a familiar expression feel fresh. But be careful—cleverness works only if it’s clear and effective, not just a bad joke.4.Quiz: ClichésQuestion 1When is it consideredacceptableto use a cliché?Answer Choices• when you have mixed two different clichés in a sentence•on rare occasions when you can use a cliché in a new, unusual way• to communicate with people who are a lot older than you are

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Study GuideCorrect Answeron rare occasions when you can use a cliché in a new, unusual wayWhy This Is Correct• Clichés are usually avoided because they are overused.• Occasionally, a writer can refresh a cliché by using it creatively.Question 2Which of the following shows an example ofat least TWO clichés?Answer Choices• sharp as a tack, down the street, childhood heroes•go belly up, over the hill, read between the lines• my next-door neighbor, all bent out of shape, a real bargainCorrect Answergo belly up, over the hill, read between the linesWhy This Is Correct• All three expressions are common clichés.• The other options contain mostly literal phrases.Question 3Which of the following statements isTRUE?Answer Choices• A cliché is a stale, overused figure of speech.• Many clichés rely on figurative language.•Both a and b

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerBoth a and bWhy This Is Correct• Clichés lose impact through overuse.• Many originate from metaphors or other figurative language.Question 4Which of the following statements isTRUE?Answer Choices• Don't use clichés singly; use them in pairs.• If you are going to use a cliché in writing, apologize to the reader.•Don't use a cliché and then apologize to the reader for using it.Correct AnswerDon't use a cliché and then apologize to the reader for using it.Why This Is Correct• Apologizing draws attention to weak writing.• It’s better to revise and remove the cliché altogether.Question 5Which of the following statements isFALSE?Answer Choices•Use clichés frequently because readers are familiar with these common expressions.• Avoid using clichés in writing because these expressions lack freshness and originality.• Clichés can spread quickly, but widespread use doesn't mean clichés communicate clearly.

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