Idioms vs.

ClichésEQ: How do idioms improve my reading and

writing skills?

Idioms*An expression, or group of words, that can

be confusing because they say one thing but mean another.

*The meaning of the whole group of words together usually has little or nothing to do with the meanings of the words one by one.

*Idioms are found in every language. In order to understand that language, you must know what the idioms in that language mean.

*Idioms come from all different sources. From the Bible to horse racing, from ancient fables to famous authors.

Don’t cry over sp

illed milk

A penny for your thoughts

Make a mountain out of a

mole hill

Raining cats and dogs

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Idiom Examples…

Other idiom examples…

Bark is worse than your biteBark up the wrong tree

Walk on eggsWatched pot never boils

Waiting for the other shoe to dropTill the cows come homeSnug as a bug in a rug

Salt of the earth

Cliché*If an expression becomes overused,

we call it a cliché. We hear and read them all of the time.

*Many idioms are clichés.*Once they were fresh and original,

but today they are stale and corny.*Avoid using clichés in your writing!

Call it a day

Off the top of your head

Cliché Examples…

Other cliché examples…

Pull yourself togetherDrive you crazy

Let your hair downBack to square oneMess with someone

Spitting imageBite your tongue

Piece of cake