Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Difference between idioms, proverbs and metaphors
I am an Indian, and English is my second language. Inspite of tossing a few odd ones every now and then in my writing as well as in speech, I must admit I sometimes do wonder about the difference. This is like one of those obvious amenities, taken for granted in any sphere of knowledge to be implicitly understood, those that we use overly, but do not so fully claim knowing over their technicalities. So I ask, what's the difference between idioms, proverbs and metaphors?
Top answer
g. "A friend in need is a friend indeded". Metaphores are more complicated.
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A proverb, unlike idioms, is almost always a complete sentence, e.g. "A friend in need is a friend indeded". Metaphores are more complicated. It could be a phrase (like idioms) or it could be an entire paragraph (metaphoric language).
That's only one cosmetic difference, from the top of my head. I'm sure our distinguished contributors will elaborate at length on the various differences.
That's only one cosmetic difference, from the top of my head. I'm sure our distinguished contributors will elaborate at length on the various differences.
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[nq:1]A proverb, unlike idioms, is almost always a complete sentence, e.g. "A friend in need is a friend indeded". Metaphores are more complicated. It could be a phrase (like idioms)[/nq]
Couldn't an idiom be a stock metaphor?
Bye, FB
Mrs. Palmer, in her way, was equally angry. 'She was determined to drop his acquaintance immediately, and she was very thankful that she had never b
Couldn't an idiom be a stock metaphor?
Bye, FB
Mrs. Palmer, in her way, was equally angry. 'She was determined to drop his acquaintance immediately, and she was very thankful that she had never b
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[nq:1]...what's the difference between idioms, proverbs and metaphors?[/nq]
It is a metaphor when someone speaks of one thing (or person) as being something else, in order to convey some aspect of its nature, without explicitly stating it. If I say "John is a brick", meaning that he's solid and reliable, that's a metaphor. If the comparison is explicit, as in "John is like a brick" it's not a
It is a metaphor when someone speaks of one thing (or person) as being something else, in order to convey some aspect of its nature, without explicitly stating it. If I say "John is a brick", meaning that he's solid and reliable, that's a metaphor. If the comparison is explicit, as in "John is like a brick" it's not a
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[nq:1]Subject: Difference between idioms, proverbs and metaphors So I ask, what's the difference between idioms, proverbs and metaphors?[/nq]
With respect, this is like asking the difference between a camel, a screwdriver, and a pot of tea. As other people have explained, they are three quite different things.
Usually.
But they do sometimes overlap. For example, if someone said, "I'm a
With respect, this is like asking the difference between a camel, a screwdriver, and a pot of tea. As other people have explained, they are three quite different things.
Usually.
But they do sometimes overlap. For example, if someone said, "I'm a
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[nq:2]A proverb, unlike idioms, is almost always a complete sentence, ... Metaphores are more complicated. It couldbe a phrase (like idioms)[/nq]
[nq:1]Couldn't an idiom be a stock metaphor?[/nq]
You mean like "All we like sheep have gone astray?". Until the cows come home?
Seriously though, the second of these is not really a metaphor, but I would say does classify as an idiom.
[nq:1]Couldn't an idiom be a stock metaphor?[/nq]
You mean like "All we like sheep have gone astray?". Until the cows come home?
Seriously though, the second of these is not really a metaphor, but I would say does classify as an idiom.
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