Idioms, Cliches, and Slang

Banning slang in schools may limit students' expression and creativity. It's important for educators to teach when it is or isn't appropriate to use slang, rather than outright banning it. Encouraging language diversity can help students navigate different communication styles and contexts.

There are different usages for the phrase "take off." In the non-idiomatic sense, as in "take off your hat, or "take a little off the top," "take" means to manipulate, to control. In the idiom "take (oneself) off " meaning to depart hastily, or of an airplane, to begin flight, it has no separate meaning - that is why idioms cannot be "figured out" simply by understanding the words in them.

The correct idiom is "wet (not split) one's whistle," which means to take a drink, typically an alcoholic beverage. It dates back to the late 16th century and likens the throat to a whistle that needs to be moistened in order to properly produce sound.

"Plonter" is Yiddish slang for routine.

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words used. Idioms are often culturally specific and can be confusing for non-native speakers to understand. Example: "It's raining cats and dogs" means it is raining heavily, not that actual cats and dogs are falling from the sky.

The idiom "put him on the map" means to bring someone or something to widespread attention or recognition, often making them famous or successful. It implies that the person or thing was relatively unknown or insignificant before gaining this attention.

The best way to find out the meaning of an idiom is to look it up in a reputable dictionary or idiom database. You can also search online for the idiom along with the word “meaning” to find explanations and examples of its usage. Additionally, asking a native speaker or language teacher for clarification can help you understand the idiom better.

It is a corruption of 'I would rather' (have or do something else).
As in "If I had my druthers I'd be rich and famous."

"I'll take your word for it" means that the person trusts and believes what you are saying without needing further proof or evidence. It implies that they will accept what you say as true based on your word alone.

The phrase "hightail it out of here" likely originated in the early 19th century in the United States. It combines the image of a fleeing animal raising its tail high to run quickly, conveying the idea of leaving rapidly to escape a situation.

The idiom "barking up the wrong tree" originated from hunting dogs that would bark at the wrong tree instead of the one where the prey was hiding. It means pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action, like accusing the wrong person or looking in the wrong place for an answer.

Slang words are a type of informal language specific to certain groups or communities. While they can be considered a form of figurative language because they convey meaning beyond their literal interpretation, they are not typically categorized strictly as figures of speech like metaphors or similes.

In slang terms, "giving head" refers to performing oral sex on someone. This intimate act involves stimulating a person's genitals with the mouth and can be a pleasurable experience for both parties involved. It's important to have open communication and mutual consent in any sexual encounter.

The syntactical or structural form peculiar to any language; the genius or cast of a language., An expression conforming or appropriate to the peculiar structural form of a language; in extend use, an expression sanctioned by usage, having a sense peculiar to itself and not agreeing with the logical sense of its structural form; also, the phrase forms peculiar to a particular author., Dialect; a variant form of a language.

"Tall talk" refers to exaggerated or boastful speech that may not be entirely truthful or realistic. It is often used to describe someone who talks confidently about their abilities or achievements in a way that seems exaggerated.

Does it make sense if you translate it literally? If it does, it's not an idiom. Have you ever seen anyone actually hit a ceiling? No, so this must be an idiom.

An alky is a slang term for an alcoholic person.

"Tom was feeling under the weather after catching a cold."

The phrase "rosy cheeks" is considered a cliche because it is a common, overused expression to describe someone's flushed or pink cheeks. It has been used so frequently that it lacks originality and may not add much depth to description or characterization in writing.

In 1977, slang terms like "groovy," "rad," and "funky" were common. Other slang terms that were popular during that time included "far out" and "cool beans."

This statement is an idiom. It means that someone made a mistake or said something they regret. The tongue is not capable of tricking someone; it is expressing a figure of speech.

"Plug is dry" is slang for when a drug dealer is temporarily out of supply. It means that the dealer doesn't have any drugs available for sale at the moment.

An inhabited bridge refers to a bridge or structure that has living spaces built into or on it, allowing people to reside there. This concept combines the functionality of a bridge with the potential for housing or other functions, integrating infrastructure with urban living.

No, "raining lil cans" is not a common idiom. It does not have a widely recognized meaning in English language or culture.

Globalization is the interconnectedness and interdependence of countries through the exchange of goods, services, ideas, and information. The phrase "the whale under the surface" suggests that globalization has profound effects that may not always be immediately visible but can have a significant impact on economies, cultures, and societies around the world.