Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
21 used & new from £5.62
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (Paperback)

by Christine Ammer (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
US List Price: $14.95
UK Equivalent: £10.06
Price: £8.20 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £1.86 (18%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually dispatched within 1 to 3 weeks.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

13 new from £6.47 8 used from £5.62
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover £22.95 £19.51 18 used & new from £16.00
Library Binding (Reprint) 2 used & new from £16.88

Product details

  • Paperback: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH); Reprint edition (13 Sep 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0618249532
  • ISBN-13: 978-0618249534
  • Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,567,791 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

  (What is this?)
English Idioms Dictionary
   www.WhiteSmoke.com    Get the Premium All-in-One Writing Software & Write like a Pro Now! 
Idiom Definition
   www.Babylon.com    1 Click Definitions, Synonyms & Translations. Free Download! 
Standard Dictionary.
   www.inductel.com    100,000 Words, Illustrated, Talks. CD & Download Versions. $49.95. 
  
 

Product Description

From the Author
Quoting from reviews of my book
Reviewers said: "An accessible, authoritative source" (Booklist); "a thorough collection of idioms, and hasn't shortchanged the stories behind the phrases" (Philadelphia Inquirer); "Tracking down the origins of our favorite pithy expressions, Ammer offers a short concise definition of each -- one that is often just the opposite of what the phrase appears to say" (Baton Rouge Advocate); "offers a jump start on new ways of talking; no more pushing up daisies, languagewise, when familiar chatter buys the farm" (Boston Magazine); "explains to the non-native English speaker the huge differences between 'go out,' 'go out for,' go out with,' go places, 'go public'" (Denver Post); and recommended by William Safire in GIFTS OF GAB FOR 1998 (NY Times Magazine) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
idioms

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointingly simplistic., 5 Jun 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (Hardcover)
I ordered this book for a friend but, after it arrived, found myself motoring off to the local bookstore for something more suitable. And to the post office to send this one back. A random sampling of references I found almost insultingly simplistic include: "as far as possible," "broad daylight," "goof off," "good night." This last is defined as "Expression of farewell used when parting at night or when going to sleep." Does any competent English-speaker need this phrase defined? And isn't this one of the first phrases non-English-speakers are taught in language class? Who, then, is this definition for? I could easily pull an equally ludicrous example from each of this book's 729 pages but these few should suffice to make the point. Of the reputed 10,000 idioms listed in this book, my guess is that perhaps no more than 1,000 are of any merit. And that's being generous. If you're looking for a stimulating, informative lexicon of interesting idioms, along with more detail on their origination, look elsewhere.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for lovers of language!!!, 28 Oct 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (Hardcover)
This fascinating reference provides historical information about the derivation of many idioms we hear everyday. Often the meaning has changed in surprising ways over the years, and the author's exploration of alternative possible origins for these phrases is like a mystery novel for language lovers! While it is easy to look up a particular idiom, the book also makes for fun light reading.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing collection of definitions and origins!, 18 Oct 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (Hardcover)
Buy this book for a gift, but first buy a copy for yourself! I've found this book fascinating just to thumb through, and also a great reference for specific expressions I've looked up. The book contains many expressions you will not know, but also shows how some widely known expressions have had their original definitions altered through use and misuse over time. Kudos to Ammer for a reference book that is great fun!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars PLEASE BUY THIS REALLY GOOD BOOK!
This is a great reference book. I spent nine entire years writing this book. You know what? Chicken Butt. I mean....hi.
Published on 19 Aug 1998

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]

   

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

More From Christine Ammer

Unsung: A History...

Unsung: A History of Women in...

When the first edition of Unsung was published in 1980, Booklist... Read more

 

Train Hard...Play Hard

Nike, Gola, Converse, and more
Gear up with up to 60% off athletic and outdoor shoes.

›Shop now

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates