词汇学idioms

By 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. • 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 “remember” • 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 one ’ s heart upon one ’ s sleeve, meaning “show one’s feelings plainly” • Rain cats and dogs, meaning “rain heavily”
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。); beyond the pale (在... 范围之外); up in the air (悬而未决).
2. Characteristics of idioms (p275)
• 2.1 Semantic unityhe authors of the “Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English”, “Idiomaticity is largely, though not wholly, a question of meaning.” That is to say, idioms are mainly characterized by their semantic unity and lack of motivation.
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
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
• 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); ); one’s own flesh and blood (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).
• • Tit for tat = 针锋相对 The lion’s share = 最大的份额
c. The constituents of 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
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 认为他脾气 认为 坏是因为 是因为他最近生病。) 是因为
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 打扮出好的外表 • Wash one’s dirty linen in public公开隐私 • Show one’s teeth发怒
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 brown study = deep in thought
• ***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 functions. • 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.,
• Difficult points:
• 1. Characteristics of idioms • 2. Classification of idioms
Outline
• • • • 1. The definition of idiom(p273) 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 one’s own, private, peculiar. An idiom is a fixed group of words or a single word, or even a sentence, 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 sense, idioms include: colloquialisms (口语体，俗语), catchphrases (时髦语), slang expressions (俚语), proverbs (谚语), etc.
• e. 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)
• • • • • • •
By lack of motivation we mean being semantically non-motivated, i.e. the special meaning of an idiom cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of its memberwords. to show the white feather = to show fear all at sea = puzzled to hold one’s tongue = to be silent, saying nothing in the nick(刻痕; 裂口)of time = just in time Red tape = bureaucratic methods White elephant First night 首次上演
• • • 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
• 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 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