A Comprehensive Collection of Practical English Idioms

Author: Zhang Fuman, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: English idioms are vast and inexhaustible, making it hard to choose. The compilers have accumulated a wealth of English idioms through decades of using and teaching the language, and have meticulously compiled this book. All the idioms included in this book are selected from English and American classics, with some directly taken from authoritative English idioms dictionaries. Their features are natural language, fresh writing, vivid imagery, and engaging, captivating reading. The book encompasses various types of idioms, such as allusive idioms, phrasal idioms, slang, and proverbs, with a particular emphasis on spoken idioms. Only those who have a deep understanding of spoken English idioms can engage in effortless and enjoyable conversations with English and American speakers, as well as accurately grasp and appreciate the meanings of idioms in literary works. For easy reference, all the idioms in this book are arranged in alphabetical order by their core words. Each core word is annotated with pronunciation, part of speech, and basic meaning. Each idiom is followed in parentheses with its usage context, such as formal, informal, slang, etc. Those not marked are considered general idioms. Of course, due to the complexity of language use, this distinction is only relative. Some idioms also indicate their rhetorical sense in parentheses, such as metaphor, irony, euphemism, and humor, to help readers understand and appreciate them. The annotations of idioms are as accurate and concise as possible, to the original meaning, and some English idioms are followed by Chinese idioms with similar meanings. All example sentences are selected from the original texts and include translations. Some example sentences have been rewritten or simplified by the author.