We often take idioms for granted because we use them without ever thinking about their meaning. However, for young learners or those learning a second language, idioms can be quite confusing. Idioms become a common part of English lessons because the more you have in your vocabulary, the better you understand the English language.
Some common English idioms derived from literature are "a piece of cake," and "bite your tongue." When saying "it was a piece of cake," a person means that a task was easy. According the Oxford English Dictionary, "piece of cake" was first seen in 1936 in an Ogden Nash poem. The OED reports that the phrase "bite your tongue," meaning to keep silent, first appeared in Shakespeare's Henry VI.
In the business world, if a company has to do some "belt-tightening," the employees will witness budget cuts and perhaps job losses. However, a "cash cow" in business is a highly lucrative product or service that brings good fortune to the company.
Often employees discuss "climbing the corporate ladder," which means they are going through a series of job promotions to get to the top or desired position in the business.
Emotions are best described in comparison to ideas or things connected to that emotion. If you are experiencing happiness, you may be "on cloud nine" or "jumping for joy." On the other end, "feeling blue" or "down in the dumps" is an expression of sadness or sorrow.
Idioms bring emotion to life and better express specific feelings. When a person says they are "seeing red," they provide a greater visual image, with more emotion, than simply stating that they are very angry.
Idioms are a part of daily life. We use them without noticing what we are saying. When expressed, we understand the meaning in full context. For instance, if you "keep your fingers crossed," you are not physically performing this task, but you are hoping that something fortunate happens.
If you are "kept in the dark," you aren't left standing in the room, but devoid of important facts about something of concern. Doing something "to the letter" really has no letters involved. You simply follow instructions precisely.