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
42 used & new from £3.49

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms (4,000+ Idioms) (Penguin Reference Books)
 
See larger image
 

The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms (4,000+ Idioms) (Penguin Reference Books) (Paperback)

by David Hinds-Howell (Author), Daphne M Gulland (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.49 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £3.50 (35%)
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
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Want guaranteed delivery by Tuesday, July 14? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
30 new from £4.47 12 used from £3.49
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback 7 used & new from £2.23

Frequently Bought Together

The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms (4,000+ Idioms) (Penguin Reference Books) + The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs (Penguin Reference Books) + The Penguin Dictionary of English Synonyms and Antonyms (Penguin reference)
Price For All Three: £19.97

Show availability and shipping details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs (Penguin Reference Books)

The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs (Penguin Reference Books)

by Jonathan Law
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £6.99
The Penguin Dictionary of English Synonyms and Antonyms (Penguin reference)

The Penguin Dictionary of English Synonyms and Antonyms (Penguin reference)

by Rosalind Fergusson
4.0 out of 5 stars (2)  £6.49
The Penguin Writer's Manual (Penguin Reference Books)

The Penguin Writer's Manual (Penguin Reference Books)

by Martin Manser
5.0 out of 5 stars (4)  £6.69
The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (Penguin Reference Books)

The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (Penguin Reference Books)

by R L Trask
4.5 out of 5 stars (16)  £5.99
The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar (Penguin Reference Books)

The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar (Penguin Reference Books)

by R L Trask
3.8 out of 5 stars (4)  £5.99
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; 2nd Revised & Corrected edition (1 Jan 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140514813
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140514810
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 25,782 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #2 in  Books > Reference > Language > Spelling
    #8 in  Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauri > Slang & Idioms
    #42 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Writing Skills

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

  (What is this?)
Collins Dictionary offers
   www.CollinsEducation.com    1/3 off selected school & pocket English & language dictionaries 
Penguin dictionary
   www.Ask.com    Find the Best Results for Penguin dictionary. Ask us! 
  
 

Product Description

Product Description
To 'put the cart before the horse', have 'the cheek of the devil' or be 'a pillar of society' - these are just some of the thousands of idioms that have become an integral part of the English language. The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms looks at a vast range of examples, providing concise definitions and explaining how they should be used. This practical guide is arranged by theme, making it possible to compare all the idioms in that subject area and find the right one for the occasion, whether in writing or speech. The numerical mistakes mentioned by the author have been corrected, making this, as mentioned, one of the great reference classics.

From the Publisher

Some sample entries:

TO BE STILL WET BEHIND THE EARS

To be naïve, inexperienced. `He will be no match for them; he is still wet behind the ears.' The phrase has its origin in children's neglect to dry themselves behind the ears.

TO GO DOWN WITH THE SHIP

To stay at one's post until the bitter end. There was a tradition that the captain should go down with his ship. When the Titanic sank (1912), both the captain and designer went down with the ship, although they were offered places in the life-boats. In modern times, the rule has been relaxed, and the captain is expected to be the last to leave the ship.

A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

Someone who looks respectable and harmless but whose behaviour is quite the opposite. `Young children have to be aware of strangers who are kind and generous but could turn out to be wolves in sheep's clothing, such as paedophiles.' Also used with reference to trees, plants, food, etc. `Golden Rain is a magnificent-looking tree but it is like a wolf in sheep's clothing - the seeds are extremely poisonous.'

See all Product Description


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms (4,000+ Idioms) (Penguin Reference Books)
64% buy the item featured on this page:
The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms (4,000+ Idioms) (Penguin Reference Books) 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
£6.49
The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (Penguin Reference Books)
11% buy
The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (Penguin Reference Books) 4.5 out of 5 stars (16)
£5.99
The Penguin Writer's Manual (Penguin Reference Books)
10% buy
The Penguin Writer's Manual (Penguin Reference Books) 5.0 out of 5 stars (4)
£6.69
The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar (Penguin Reference Books)
7% buy
The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar (Penguin Reference Books) 3.8 out of 5 stars (4)
£5.99

 

Customer Reviews

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

 
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Most useful and entertaining as well, 2 Nov 2003
By A Customer
I find this new edition most useful and entertaining as well. The examples used are very helpful, carefully researched and documented. I book worth to be recommended to native speakers as well as to foreigners.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Entertaining!, 1 Feb 2008
This book is recommendable to everyone who is interested in the Englsih language as well as to those which want to polish their english skills. The organisation of the idioms in categories instead of in alphabetical order is what makes this book very special in comarision to the other books on the market. Idioms are easy to find and once found you can inspire yourself while reading the other idioms in this particular category.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
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]

   


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

Discover Health & Beauty

 

Beauty without the Beast

Olay Regenerist Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream
From au naturel to party glam, we have all the best names in cosmetics and skincare.

Discover Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

 

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

 

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
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Host
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

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