What is it to 'cock a snook', where is the land of Nod, and who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more!) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include 'back of the net', 'drag and drop', 'go it alone', 'how come?', 'if you ask me', 'make your skin crawl', and 'woe betide'. Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.

This text provides an introduction to idioms, a very important and colorful aspect of the English language.

From “all systems go” to “senior moment”—a comprehensive reference to idiomatic English. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms explores the meanings and origins of idioms that may not make literal sense but play an important role in the language—including phrasal verbs such as kick back, proverbs such as too many cooks spoil the broth, interjections such as tough beans, and figures of speech such as elephant in the room. With extensive revisions that reflect new historical scholarship and changes in the English language, this second edition defines over 10,000 idiomatic expressions in greater detail than any other dictionary available today—a remarkable reference for those studying the English language, or anyone who enjoys learning its many wonderful quirks and expressions. “Invaluable as a teaching tool.” —School Library Journal

This book unlocks the meaning of more than 5,000 idioms used in American English today.

Covering over 10,000 idioms and collocations characterized by similarity in their wording or metaphorical idea which do not show corresponding similarity in their meanings, this dictionary presents a unique cross-section of the English language. Though it is designed specifically to assist readers in avoiding the use of inappropriate or erroneous phrases, the book can also be used as a regular phraseological dictionary providing definitions to individual idioms, cliches, and set expressions. Most phrases included in the dictionary are in active current use, making information about their meanings and usage essential to language learners at all levels of proficiency.

Offers entries for over six thousand idioms, including seven hundred new to this edition, and provides background information, additional cross-references, and national variants.

Most popular idioms and phrases | English idiomatic phrases | English language idiomatic expressions | List of popular idioms and phrases | Use of Idioms and Phrases in Sentences Sample This: English Idioms and Phrases -- A ADD 001. -- State governments should add more teeth to anti-ragging laws. [‘add more teeth’ -- to make something more effective] 002. -- Financial issues are further going to add to their woes. ABACK 003. -- He appeared to be taken aback when it was revealed to him that an avid fan had his face tattooed on his arm. || We all were taken aback by bomb attacks. [‘taken aback’ -- very surprised] ACE 004. -- Our opponents hold all the Aces as they are strong where we are weak. [‘hold all the aces’ -- to have all the advantages] ACCOUNT 005. -- From all accounts, he was a loving family man. || From all accounts, he is a smart, fair-minded, detail-oriented middle-of-the-road jurist. [‘from all accounts’ -- according to what other people say] ACT 006. -- An accidental fire in your home is not considered an act of God because it could have been prevented. [‘act of God’ -- an event that is caused by natural forces] ADVANCE 007. -- The celebration started a day in advance. [‘in advance’ -- ahead of time] AFFAIR 008. -- Budget data revealed an alarming state of affairs. [‘state of affairs’ -- situation] 009. -- My birthday is going to be a quiet affair with a nice dinner. || We want our wedding to be a quiet affair. AGREE 010. -- Democracy requires that we agree to differ. [‘agree to differ’ -- (of people) to decide not to argue with each other over their different opinions about something.] AIR 011. -- Her clarification did not clear the air. [‘clear the air’ -- to improve a tense situation] 012a. -- When the residents started receiving mysterious threats, there was an air of mystery and fear. 012b. -- The air of celebration was evident outside the president’s office. 013a. -- It was fortunate that he arrived and erased the negativity in the air. 013b. -- There was an evil smell in the air. 014a. -- Body is nothing but a pile of ashes and it will one day disappear into thin air. 014b. -- Money was vanishing into thin air. ALL 015. -- I do not think we will be paying much more if at all we do. 016. -- If you stop her doing anything, she wants to do it all the more. [‘all the more’ -- extra] 017. -- These problems need to be solved once and for all. [‘once and for all’ -- forever] 018. -- All of a sudden, there was the fire. | All of a sudden a warm gust of wind came. [‘all of a sudden’ -- surprisingly] 019. -- I learned computer programming all by myself. || It is a lot of work, and I do it all by myself. || He had to run the family all by himself. ALONE 020. -- Workers were clearly in no mood to listen let alone comply with the request. || They could not figure out how to punish corrupt officials, let alone fix them. [‘let alone’ -- used to emphasize that because the first thing is not true, possible, etc. the next thing cannot be true, possible, etc. either] APART 021. -- A saddle tank on the tractor-trailer came apart and caused a diesel spill. [‘come apart’ -- to shatter] 022. -- In less than a fortnight of its formation, the Joint Committee for drafting the bill is falling apart. || Talks on a deal finally fell apart. [‘fall apart’ -- to collapse] 023. -- Storm has torn apart the lives of thousands of people. [‘tear apart’ -- to destroy] 024. -- We are poles apart. || Two exhibitions in prominent galleries immediately next to each other showed works that were poles apart in concept. [‘pole apart’ -- completely opposite] APPLE 025. -- We expected him to keep his business affairs in apple-pie order. || Everything inside the shop was spick and span and in apple-pie order, from the well-polished service counters to the glistening display cabinets. [‘in apple pie order’ -- well organized] ARM 026. -- Government maintained arm's length distance in all matters relating to film certification. [‘arms-length distance’ -- to avoid having a close relationship] 027. -- Nation welcomed new football coach with open arms. || European countries welcomed the refugees with open arms. [‘with open arms’ -- in an extremely happy manner]

This dictionary includes over 5000 delightful expressions and idiosyncrasies arranged by keyword, taken from metaphorical phrases, familiar quotations and proverbs, and similes.