What are idioms used for?

For emphasis, e.g. The singer´s second album sank like a stone (failed completely)

To agree with a previous speaker, e.g 

• Did you notice how Lisa started listening when you said her name?
• Yes, that certainly made her prick her ears up ( start listening carefully)

To comment on people, e.g. Did you hear Tom has been invited for dinner with the prime minsiter? He´s certainly gone up in the world! (gain a better social position - or more money - than before)

To comment on a situation, e.g. The new finance minister wants to knock the economy into shape. (take action to get something into a good condition)

To make an anecdote more interesting, e.g. It was just one disaster after another today, a short of domino effect. ( when something, ususally bad, happens and causes a series of other things to happen)

To catch the reader´s eye. Idioms - particulary those with strong images - are often used in headlines, advertising slogans and the names of small businesses.  The writer may play  with idiom or  make a pun ( a joke involving a play of words)  in order to create  a special effect, e.g. a debt of dishonour instead of the usual debt of honour. ( a debt that you owe someone for moral rather than financial  reasons)

To indicate membership of a particular group, e.g. surfers drop in on someone, meaning to get on a wave another surfer is already on. This kind of group-specific idiom is outside the fous on this book.

Related Items +:Idioms