figures of speech

A Pocket Guide to Cliches provides insights into informal American English as it is really spoken and used in the everyday world. Idioms are presented with reference to their origins, their meanings, and, in many cases, the regions where they are used most often.

Defines more than four hundred idioms from the English language.

Presents visual interpretations of what a child might be thinking when his or her teacher uses amusing and confusing expressions such as "Put on your thinking cap, " or "Two heads are better than one.".

An alphabetical listing of common figures of speech, along with their definitions and origins.

Explains what several confusing but common idioms, such as "Put a bug in his ear," mean, providing examples from real-world situations.

A young boy is worried about what will happen to his body when he hears such expressions as "give him a hand," "laugh your head off," and "hold your tongue.".

Whimsical illustrations and everyday examples provide an explanation for odd idioms such as "Break a leg!".

Defines similes and metaphors and describes how and why they are used in sentences.

Explains the meaning of many common idiomatic expressions used in English.

Comical illustrations help demonstrate how absurd some oxymorons are.