- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford; 2 edition (10 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0198610556
- ISBN-13: 978-0198610557
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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- #12 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > Synonyms & Antonyms
- #20 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > English (Specific Aspects)
- See Complete Table of Contents
The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (Oxford Paperback Reference)
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Product Description
Product Description
Did you know that 'flavour of the month' originated in a marketing campaign in American ice-cream parlours in the 1940s, when a particular flavour would be specially promoted for a month at a time? And did you know that 'off the cuff' refers to the rather messy practice of writing impromptu notes on one's shirt cuff before speaking in public? These and many more idioms are explained and put into context in this second edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. This vastly entertaining dictionary takes a fresh look at the idiomatic phrases and sayings that make English such a rich and intriguing language. A major new edition, it contains entries for over 5000 idioms, including 350 new entries and over 500 new quotations. The text has been updated to include many new idioms using the findings of the Oxford English Reading Programme, the biggest language research programme in the world. The entries are supported by a wealth of illustrative quotations from a wide range of sources and periods. For example: 'Rowling has not been asleep at the wheel in the three years since the last Potter novel, and I am pleased to report that she has not confused sheer length with inspiration.' - Guardian, 2003. 'I made the speech of a lifetime. I had them tearing up the seats and rolling in the aisles.' - P.G. Woodhouse, 1940. Many entries include boxed features which give more detailed background on the idiom in question. For example, did you know that 'taken aback' was adopted from nautical terminology, and described a ship unable to move forward because of a strong headwind pressing its sails back against the mast? The text has been entirely redesigned so that it is both elegant and easy to use. Anyone interested in the quirky side of the English language will have hours of fun browsing through this fascinating and informative volume.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is amusing to read, presumably aimed at non-native English speakers, but is not totally accurate and tends to be misleading.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Overview of British English Idioms, With Origins
20 Nov 2007
Format:Paperback
Drawing on the reputation of Oxford, this authoritative dictionary surveys a English idioms with a British tilt, limiting its usefulness as an American English reference but offering many phrase origins.
This idiom dictionary only lists 5,000-plus entries, a limited scope made smaller for Americans or those studying American English because of the book's emphasis on British English. The dictionary assumes a more convenient trade paperback size, but its shortness makes it less reliable as a reference.
A smaller number of entries allows more room to share notes on the origins of idioms, however. This helps enhance the reader's understanding and retention of the idioms.
The authority and brevity of this idiom dictionary make it more useful to those who already speak English and are looking for a handy reference to satisfy mild curiosity. Students of English as a second language and communications professionals looking for a more complete reference should look elsewhere.
This idiom dictionary only lists 5,000-plus entries, a limited scope made smaller for Americans or those studying American English because of the book's emphasis on British English. The dictionary assumes a more convenient trade paperback size, but its shortness makes it less reliable as a reference.
A smaller number of entries allows more room to share notes on the origins of idioms, however. This helps enhance the reader's understanding and retention of the idioms.
The authority and brevity of this idiom dictionary make it more useful to those who already speak English and are looking for a handy reference to satisfy mild curiosity. Students of English as a second language and communications professionals looking for a more complete reference should look elsewhere.
Not as Good as American Heritage
8 April 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm not qualified to analyze whether this book is helpful to people who are learning English as a second language. But I have used many different idioms dictionaries, and this one, while not bad, is weak in the number of entries and in the shortness of the explanations of meaning, although I do find the little boxed features on origins very helpful. It's hard to know whether to rate this as 4 stars or 3. Ultimately I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if that were possible.
The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms
9 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback
I think this title is a good starter for persons learning a new language. The English language is quite complex and this paperback may help to ease this pain.
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