词汇学idioms.ppt

1、Lecture 6: Chapter 6 English Idioms,Lectured by XU Yiliang 2010/12,Objectives: 1. The definition of idiom 2. Characteristics of idioms 3. Classification of idioms 4. Variations of idioms Difficult points: 1. Characteristics of idioms 2. Classification of idioms,Outline,1. The definition of idiom(p27

2、3) 2. Characteristics of idioms (p275) 3. Classification of idioms (p282) 4. Variations of idioms,1. The definition of idiom(274),The word “idiom” comes from Greek idios ultimately from idioma-, meaning ones own, private, peculiar. An idiom is a fixed group of words or a single word, or even a sente

3、nce, with a special meaning that cannot be guessed from its or from their literal meanings of individual elements. In short, an idiom would be the use of common words in a special sense.(p274) For example, fly off the handle meaning “excessively angry”. Put up with meaning “tolerate” In a broad sens

4、e, idioms include: colloquialisms (口语体，俗语), catchphrases (时髦语), slang expressions (俚语), proverbs (谚语), etc.,2. Characteristics of idioms (p275),2.1 Semantic unity/ idiomaticity According to the authors of the “Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English”, “Idiomaticity is largely, though not whol

5、ly, a question of meaning.” That is to say, idioms are mainly characterized by their semantic unity and lack of motivation.,lBy semantic unity we mean functionally as unit of meaning. That is, the member words of an idiom do not possess any lexical meaning outside the integral meaning of the whole.

6、a. Words making up the idiom have lost their individual identity. b. The part of speech of each element is no longer important, the idiom functions as one word. c.Many idioms are semantically inexplicable.,e.g. till the cows come home, meaning “forever”, used as adverb. Keep in mind, meaning “rememb

7、er” Take off, meaning “popularity” (a new movie that really took off.一部极为卖座的新片) To no avail, meaning “useless” Like a breeze, meaning “easily” Wear ones heart upon ones sleeve, meaning “show ones feelings plainly” Rain cats and dogs, meaning “rain heavily”,lBy lack of motivation we mean being semant

8、ically non-motivated, i.e. the special meaning of an idiom cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of its member-words. to show the white feather = to show fear all at sea = puzzled to hold ones tongue = to be silent, saying nothing in the nick(刻痕; 裂口)of time = just in time Red tape = bureaucrati

9、c methods White elephant First night 首次上演,2.2 Structural stability,* When analyzed structurally, the most important characteristic of idioms is stability. (No element can be changed in English idioms without destroying the sense as a whole.) a. The constituents of idioms cannot be replaced. In a bro

10、wn study = deep in thought Lip service = support only in words, not in fact. Kick the bucket = die Bury the hatchet手斧= come to friendly or peaceful terms,b. The word order cannot be inverted or changed. By two and threes = 三三两两地,零零星星地 Tit for tat = 针锋相对 The lions share = 最大的份额 c. The constituents of

11、 an idiom cannot be deleted or added to, not even an article Out of the question = impossible不可能 Out of question = no question 毫无疑问 d. Many idioms are grammatically unanalysable. Diamond cut diamond = two parties are equally matched Like cures like = 以毒攻毒. As sure as eggs is eggs = quite certainly,e

12、. The idiomaticity习语(或成语)性of idioms can be shown in the following scale True idioms semi-idioms regular combination True idioms: Step up His promotion stepped up. (improve, enhance) In the raw The boys are playing in the river in the raw. (naked),Semi-idiom Turn over a new leaf = begin a new life As

13、 cool as a cucumber = 极为冷静的 Draw the curtain = end or conceal收尾，结束 Regular combination (the meaning is predicted) Make friends with Break silence 打破沉默, 开口说话 Smooth tongue油嘴滑舌,2.3 Figurative meaning,Carry coals to Newcastle(做徒劳多余的事） Fall between two stools两边落空 Fine feather makes fine birds好的衣服只能打扮出好的

14、外表 Wash ones dirty linen in public公开隐私 Show ones teeth发怒,*Note: The difference between idiomatic and free phrases( p281),3. Classification of idioms (p282),3.1 Classificastion according to grammatical functions of idioms Idioms may be classified into FIVE groups with regard to their grammatical func

15、tions. 3.1.1 Idioms nominal in nature名词性 Idioms belonging to this type have a noun as the key word and function as a noun in sentences, e.g.,Brain trust (智囊团); flesh and blood (human nature with its emotions, weaknesses, etc. 人性。more than flesh and blood can bear. 非人所能忍受者); ones own flesh and blood

16、(骨肉，亲人); an apple of discord (n.争端, 祸根); Jack of all trades (n. 万事通；博而不精的人); fly in the ointment软膏, 油膏(n. 白璧之瑕; 美中不足).,3.1.2 Idioms adjectival in nature,cut and dried (已决定的; 不大会改变的); as poor as a church mouse (一贫如洗); wide of the mark (离目标很远；离谱儿What he told me was quite wide of the mark. 他告诉我的太离谱儿了。)

17、; beyond the pale (在.范围之外); up in the air (悬而未决).,3.1. 3 Idioms verbal in nature,a. Phrasal verbs: look into (观察, 调查); go on (继续下去(with, doing); put off (推迟, 使气馁); turn on (变得兴奋); get away with (逃避惩罚责备, 追究); put down to (说因（某事）而起I put his bad temper down to his recent illness. 我认为他脾气坏是因为他最近生病。),b. V

18、erb phrases: make it (及时赶到, 办成功); follow ones nose (笔直走 凭本能行事,盲目行事); fall flat (完全失败); give sb. the bag (解雇某人); sing a different tune (change ones opinion); call it a day (到此为止); chop and change (变化无常, 摇摆不定变化无常, 摇摆不定); swim against the stream (逆流而上); come back to earth (回到现实中来, 不再幻想); make ends meet

19、 (收支相抵); keep the pot boiling (维持生计); let the dog see the rabbit (不要妨碍别人 ); bite the hand that feeds one (恩将仇报),3.1.4 Idioms adverbial in nature,tooth and nail (全力以赴地); in nothing flat (马上, 立刻); through thick and thin (同甘共苦不避艰险); in clover (生活舒适),3.1.5 Sentence Idioms (proverbs, sayings, colloquiali

20、sm, catchphrases),A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (双鸟在林不如一鸟在手.) Never do things by halves. (做事情不要半途而废。 ) Upon my word! (说实话, 我敢保证 哎呀! 好家伙!) Art is long, life is short. (人生有限，技艺无穷；生有涯而知无涯 ) All is not gold that glitters. (闪亮的东西不一定是金子.) Kill the goose that laid the golden egg. (杀鸡取蛋, 只图眼前

21、的利益而断绝财路),* Note: Forms and functions of idioms are not necessarily identical. For example, Pepper and salt (椒盐色的): His hair is . Night and day (日夜不停地); bag and baggage (带着全部财产 彻底地; 全部地). High and low (高低贵贱的人们; 到处),3.2 Idioms may be classified according to their sources:,This classification is usefu

22、l as the original meaning of the phrases would help us to have a better grasp of their extended meaning. 3.2.1. From the sea/used by seamen or fishermen tide over (使渡过(难关、危机等); in the wake of (跟在前船后面,紧跟在.的后面); high water mark (高水位线, 全盛时期；最高峰); in deep water (陷入困境); take the helm of state (掌握政权); jum

23、p at the bait (轻易上当); take the bait/rise to the bait (鱼)上钩; 喻上当受骗, 上圈套); a fish out of water (离水的鱼, 不得其所的人),3.2.2. From war on the alert (警惕着); take alarm; stick to ones guns (固执己见); rank and file (普通士兵; 老百姓; 基层的; 普通的) 3.2.3 From card games play a waiting game (伺机从事; 伺机下手); losing game (没有胜利希望的比赛, 徒

24、劳之举); show ones hand (摊牌, 表明自己的计划或意图); follow suit (跟牌, 跟着出同花色的牌,仿效别人); play ones cards well (办事高明, 做事有心计); play ones card badly (做事不慎重),3.2.4. From hunting hold in leash (v.束缚); hunt down (追捕.直至捕获); give rein (缰绳) to (放任；纵容); kill two birds with one stone; if you run after two hares, you will catch

25、 neither. 3.2.5. From agriculture break ground (破土, 动工, 开业); make hay while the sun shines (v.抓紧时机); rotten to the core (（品德）坏透了); a bull in a china shop (n.莽撞闯祸的人); have all ones eggs in one basket (孤注一掷 ).,3.2.6. From household, cooking and eating lay on the butter (奉承, 巴结; 灌米汤); on the threshold

26、of (在.的开头, 在.快要开始的时候, 在.的前夕); wash ones dirty linen in public (公开谈论隐私); be at home (觉得安适, 无拘束，在家，精通); new brooms sweep clean (新来的和尚会念经); boil over (因沸腾溢出来了俗发怒); make the pot boil (谋生); live from hand to mouth (挣一天吃一天; 仅能糊口); boil down to (归根结底是, 减缩成; 概括成),3.2.7. From music, painting and theater play

27、 first fiddle (play first fiddle担任第一小提琴手; 居首要职位); play second fiddle (担任第二小提琴手; 居次要职位, 做第二把手, 充当副手) play third fiddle (跑龙套; 做无足轻重的角色); tune up (校准乐器的音调, 定弦, )(比赛 前)做准备动作); play the part of (在戏中)扮演); play to the gallery (迎合低级趣味); be behind the scenes (在后台; 喻在幕后; 在幕后活动的; 知道内情的); pull the strings (暗中操纵

28、);,3.2.8. From various professions make the best of a bad bargain (对于恶运或逆境泰然处之); take stock of (估量, 观察); bring to account (责问, 清算); on account of (因为, 由于; 为了); hit below the belt (用不正当手段打人); play fair (规规矩矩地比赛; 光明正大地行动, 办事公允),3.3 Idioms may be classified according to the lexical or phonetic make-up

29、of English idioms,3.3.1. Reiteration (同义词复现duplication of synonyms) scream and shout (尖叫呐喊); cut and carve (使精细); pick and choose (挑挑拣拣); hustle and bustle (熙熙攘攘); rough and tough (粗野的, 粗暴的); odds and ends (零星杂物；零碎东西 (= odds and sods) at odds (with争执,不一致); bits and pieces (零碎); push and shove (连推带挤)

30、; ways and means (方式，方法); by leaps and bounds (突飞猛进地); hue and cry (追捕罪犯的喊叫声); well and good(也好); far and away (很, 极); high and mighty (口神气活现, 趾高气扬 大人物, 要人),3.3.2. Repetition重复 by and by (不久以后; 不一会儿); out and out (完全的，彻底的); such and such (某某; 这样那样的); neck and neck (并排的（地），并驾齐驱的（地）); lots and lots (许

31、许多多); round and round (旋转不息地); day by day (逐日地, 一天天地); all in all (总而言之n.头等重要的东西); face to face ( 面对面地); shoulder to shoulder (肩并肩地, 同心协力地,肩并肩地, 同心协力地); hand in hand (手拉手地; 联合地; 形影不离地); word for word (逐字地); from time to time (时常; 有时); year in year out (年复一年, 连续多年).,3.3.3. Alliteration (头韵法) chop and

32、 change (变化无常, 摇摆不定); with might and main (竭尽全力); rough and ready (简陋的, 马马虎虎的); part and parcel (重要的部分); toss and turn (keep turning from side to side); bag and baggage (带着全部财产 彻底地; 全部地); sum and substance (要点，要旨the gist of sth.); neither fish, flesh, nor fowl (difficult to classify); safe and sound

33、 (安然无恙); hum and haw (吞吞吐吐; 支支吾吾); kith and kin (亲密朋友熟人和亲属),3.3.4. Rhyme 押韵 wear and tear (耗损, 磨损; 折磨); toil and moil (做苦工, 辛辛苦苦地工作); by hook and by crook (用尽一切方法, 不择手段); fair and square (正大光明的) A little pot is soon hot (量小易怒.). Theres many a slip between the cup and the lip (世事往往会功亏一篑.).,3.3.5. Jux

34、taposition of antonyms反义并置, 并列 here and there (这儿那儿(散开着); 到处 偶尔; 零零落落地); up and down (来回；上下); hit or miss (不论成功与否); rain or shine (.无论如何, 不论晴雨); weal (福)and woe (福祸); first and last (总的说来, 主要地, 始终, 完全); high and low (高低贵贱的人们 到处); back and forth (来回; 往复); right and left (到处, 四面八方); sooner or later (迟

35、早); play fast and loose (处世轻率, 行为反复无常); move heaven and earth (竭尽全力); from head to foot (从头到脚; 全身; 完全); from start to finish (自始至终),4. Variations of idioms,4.1. Replacement代替, 替换 (1) Verb: make/cut a figure (崭露头角); make a great coup意外而成功的行动(极大成功， 一鸣惊人); catch hold of; keep ones word (信守诺言 ); take he

36、art (鼓起勇气, 打起精神). (2) Noun: down in the bushes (垂头丧气的); a drop in the ocean (沧海一粟, 九牛一毛); on the increase (正在增长); in the know (知内情的; 熟悉内幕的); die in harness/ones boots (工作时死去),(3) Adjectives: in good feather (兴高采烈; 情绪高涨); on a large scale ; by all means (千方百计地); take long views (作长期打算; 有先见之明) (4) Adv

37、erb or preposition: drop in/over/by (顺便走访(某人); give a handle for/to (使人有可乘之机, 给人以口实); turn on; go with the stream; in the lump (总共) (5) Article, pronoun, numeral: a flea(跳蚤)in ones ear (刺耳话, 讥讽; 暗示, 密告尖锐刺耳的斥责); lay a course (直驶, 制订计划); talk thirteen to the dozen (喋喋不休); in a sort (有些, 稍微, 有几分); come

38、 off ones high horse (不再骄傲自大).,4.2. Addition or deletion behind the bars (关在牢里); all night (整夜, 通宵, 彻夜); for good (永久地,一劳永逸地); as broad as long (长宽相等的, 无区别的); thank ones stars (.谢天谢地); from the bottom of ones heart 4.3. Position-shifting pin back(用别针向后别住/固定住 ) ones ears (仔细听，侧耳倾听 ); turn the radio u

39、p (开大声音); fortunes wheel (命运); lie near sbs heart (为某人所深切关心),4.4. Shortening the last straw (导致失败之最后一击); velvet天鹅绒paws (虚假的温柔, 掩盖残酷行为的外衣); needs must when the devil drives (形势所迫不得不为.) a rolling stone gathers no moss (滚石不生苔, 转业不聚财.) 4.5. Dismembering解体,肢解 the leopard never changes his spots (本性难移); C

40、an the leopard change his spots? 谚花豹岂能改变它身上的斑点?(意指本性难移); have a card up ones sleeve (秘而不宣的计划（意图）, 锦囊妙计); a square peg挂钩,衣夹in a round hole (不适宜担任某一职务的人, 不得其所的人),4.6. Figures of speech,(1) Simile as mute as a fish (默不作声); as dead as a doornail (报废;失效); as graceful as a swan (姿态优美, 举止端庄); like a rat in

41、 a hole (瓮中之鳖一般); eat like a horse (吃得多); eat like a bird.吃得极少sleep like a log; time flies like an arrow (光阴似箭); spend money like water (挥金如土).,(2) Metaphor,a.animal referring to people: black sheep (害群之马, 败家子); a dark horse ; grey mare (胜过丈夫的妻子); a snake in the grass (隐患, 暗藏的敌人); b.inanimate things

42、 to people: new broom (新成员，新雇员); flat tire (漏了气的车胎, 让人烦的家伙); the salt of the earth (社会中坚(来自圣经); 为众人表率的人物, 最好的人);,c.things to something else: bed of dust (坟墓); crocodile tears (鳄鱼泪, 假慈悲); a wet blanket (浸湿的毯子(用于灭火等) 扫兴的事, 扫兴的人); black bottle (美毒药, 毒物); d.actions, state to abstract ideas or other acti

43、ons, state, etc: sit on the fence (观望形势, 抱骑墙态度to trim, vicar of Bray); cut the ground from under sbs feet (拆某人的台; 以先发制人的手段破坏某人计划; 使某人论点站不住脚); fall from grace (堕落, 犯罪;【宗】失却天恩),(3) Metonymy in the cradle (在最初的时侯); live by ones pen (以写作为生, 吃笔墨饭 ); from cradle to grave; make a purse (為募捐 ) (4) Synecdoch

44、e earn ones bread (谋生，糊口); two heads are better than one (5) Personification The pot calls the cattle black. 五十步笑百步; 乌鸦嫌猪黑。 Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters.水火无情。 (6) Euphemism the call of nature大小便; sleep around (俚(指女人)到处乱搞男女关系); powder ones nose (（妇女上厕所的委婉语）去化妆室，出去一下),4.7. Sayings and proverbs,Dont count your chickens before they are hatched. Dont cross th