EQ: How do idioms improve my reading and writing skills? Idioms vs. Clichés EQ: 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.

Idiom Examples… Raining cats and dogs Don’t cry over spilled milk Make a mountain out of a mole hill Don’t put all your eggs in one basket A penny for your thoughts

Other idiom examples… Bark is worse than your bite Bark up the wrong tree Walk on eggs Watched pot never boils Waiting for the other shoe to drop Till the cows come home Snug 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!

Cliché Examples… Call it a day Off the top of your head

Other cliché examples… Pull yourself together Drive you crazy Let your hair down Back to square one Mess with someone Spitting image Bite your tongue Piece of cake