All languages have phrases or sentences that cannot be understood
literally. Even if you know all the words in a phrase and
understand all the grammar of the phrase completely, the meaning
may still not be apparent. Many proverbs, informal phrases,
and common sayings offer this kind of problem. A phrase or sentence
of this type is said to be idiomatic. This dictionary is a collection
of the idiomatic phrases and sentences that occur
frequently in the varieties of English that follow the British standard.
The dictionary is designed for easy use by lifelong speakers
of English, as well as by the new-to-English speaker or learner.
Readers who are native speakers of American, Australian, Canadian,
or other varieties of English will find the entries fascinating
and entertaining. Special features, such as numerous
full-sentence examples and a Phrase-Finder Index, make this dictionary
uniquely effective for language learners.
literally. Even if you know all the words in a phrase and
understand all the grammar of the phrase completely, the meaning
may still not be apparent. Many proverbs, informal phrases,
and common sayings offer this kind of problem. A phrase or sentence
of this type is said to be idiomatic. This dictionary is a collection
of the idiomatic phrases and sentences that occur
frequently in the varieties of English that follow the British standard.
The dictionary is designed for easy use by lifelong speakers
of English, as well as by the new-to-English speaker or learner.
Readers who are native speakers of American, Australian, Canadian,
or other varieties of English will find the entries fascinating
and entertaining. Special features, such as numerous
full-sentence examples and a Phrase-Finder Index, make this dictionary
uniquely effective for language learners.
