Idioms and ClichésIdioms and Clichés

Figurative Language- Figurative Language- language that is not meant to language that is not meant to

be taken literallybe taken literally

IdiomsIdioms

Is an expression whose Is an expression whose overall meaning is overall meaning is different from the different from the meaning of the meaning of the individual wordsindividual words

ExamplesExamples

““to go to the dogs” is an idiom to go to the dogs” is an idiom meaning “to go to ruin.”meaning “to go to ruin.”

““Button your lip Button your lip about the party” is about the party” is an idiom meaning “keep quiet.”an idiom meaning “keep quiet.”

““Stay above water” is not an Stay above water” is not an expression for drowning, but it’s an expression for drowning, but it’s an idiom meaning to survive a situation.idiom meaning to survive a situation.

Practice- Practice- Identify the idiom & give its Identify the idiom & give its literal and figurative meaning.literal and figurative meaning.

They kicked around a few ideas They kicked around a few ideas about how to make a scenery for the about how to make a scenery for the play.play.

She changed her tune once she She changed her tune once she found out the cost of the project.found out the cost of the project.

I don’t trust Jackson, but his friend I don’t trust Jackson, but his friend seems on the level.seems on the level.

Will you take me under your wing if I Will you take me under your wing if I decide to join the chorus?decide to join the chorus?

ClichéCliché

Is an overused expression; Is an overused expression; good writers generally avoid good writers generally avoid clichés unless they are using clichés unless they are using them in dialogue to indicate them in dialogue to indicate something about a something about a character’s personality.character’s personality.

ExamplesExamples

Better late than neverBetter late than never

Hard as nailsHard as nails

Never say neverNever say never

Home sweet homeHome sweet home

Eat like a horseEat like a horse

PracticePractice- locate the cliché in each sentence.- locate the cliché in each sentence.

After the accident, I figured no news After the accident, I figured no news was good news.was good news.

The twins’ behavior at school versus The twins’ behavior at school versus home was like day and night.home was like day and night.

She was busy as a bee while she She was busy as a bee while she cleaned the house.cleaned the house.

The Chief of police was as mad as a The Chief of police was as mad as a hornet.hornet.

Literal & Figurative Illustrations Literal & Figurative Illustrations

You will receive an example of an You will receive an example of an idiom or a cliché.idiom or a cliché.

First, identify if it’s a cliché or idiom.First, identify if it’s a cliché or idiom.

Next, your job is to illustrate its Next, your job is to illustrate its “literal meaning”, what it means just “literal meaning”, what it means just by the words, by the words, andand it’s “figurative it’s “figurative meaning,” the meaning the writer meaning,” the meaning the writer wants you to get through more wants you to get through more colorful languagecolorful language