Business english writing - Masterclass International School 2020

Idioms, sayings and proverbs

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning considered as a whole is different from the meanings of each word considered separately. A typical example of idiomatic forms are phrasal verbs, but the altered meaning of combinations of a group of words is also evident in sayings and proverbs. Look at the list below and try to explain the meaning of the expressions given with your own words:

SAYINGS AND PROVERBS

It's better to be idiot than to pretend wise

A good enemy is a better person than a false friend

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

A bad workman (always) blames his tools.

A banker is someone who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, and who asks for it back when it starts to rain.

A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

A closed mouth catches no flies.

A constant guest is never welcome.

A jack of all trades is master of none.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

A man is known by the company he keeps.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A stitch in time saves nine.

A thief thinks everyone steals.

Actions speak louder than words.

All flowers are not in one garden.

All's fair in love and war.

All that glisters is not gold.

An early bird catches worms.

An Englishman's home is his castle.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.

As fit as a fiddle.

Homophones and neologisms

A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning.

Eye/ I

To / Two / Too

Brake / Break

Sauce/ Source

Aisle/ I’ll/ Aisle

Cent /Scent/ Sent

Flour / Flower

Bury / Berry

Homophones of multiple words or phrases are also known as oronyms:

"ice cream" vs. "I scream"

"euthanasia" vs. "youth in Asia"

"some others" vs. "some mothers"

"night rain" vs. "night train"

A neologism is a newly coined word that may be in the process of entering common use, but has not yet been accepted into conventional language.

Laser

Staycation

Kleenex

Hoover

Meritocracy

Workaholic