Idioms and phrases are common in the English language but have distinct differences. Let us explore the difference between idioms and phrases with the help of examples.
Difference between Idioms and Phrases
An idiom is a phrase or expression with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. For example, “it’s raining cats and dogs” is an idiom that means it is raining very heavily, not that actual cats and dogs are falling from the sky. Idioms are often used to add color and interest to language, but they can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
On the other hand, a phrase is a group of words that form a unit of meaning. For example, “the cat in the hat” is a phrase that describes a specific cat wearing a specific hat. Unlike idioms, phrases are usually easy to understand because they are composed of words with usual meanings.
Difference Between Idioms and Phrases in tabular form
| Idioms | Phrases |
| A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. | A group of words that function as a single unit in a sentence. |
| Often have a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from the words used. | Often have a literal meaning that can be deduced from the words used. |
| It cannot be easily translated into other languages. | It can be translated more easily into other languages. |
| Examples: “Break a leg,” “Bite the bullet,” “Cry over spilt milk.” | Examples: “In the meantime,” “Due to the fact,” “With regards to.” |
Are idioms and phrases the same?
No, an idiom and a phrase are not the same. A phrase is a group of words that form a grammatical unit and have a meaning. At the same time, an idiom is a phrase or expression with a figurative meaning that differs from the literal meaning of the individual words. Idioms are often cultural and can be hard to understand for people who are not familiar with them.
Is an idiom a phrase?
Yes, an idiom is a phrase. It is a group of words that have a meaning different from each word’s meaning. Idioms are often used to express something more vividly or figuratively.
Summary
In short, idioms are phrases with figurative meanings, while phrases are groups of words that form a unit of meaning. Idioms can be difficult to understand, while phrases are usually easy to understand.