Idiom Of The Day

Let's start using idioms or idiomatic expressions when we write. When idioms are used, it add color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. An idiom can be very colorful and make a 'picture' in our minds. It also shows the writer's familiarity with English. When you want to make your writing sound more conversational, including idioms can give your writing a more relaxed tone.

Idioms allow us to say a lot with few words. Idioms amplify your messages in a way that draws your readers in and helps awaken their senses. It adds dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. They make your writing less monotonous and your readers will think that you are smart and knowledgeable. All the while ... you only clothe your writing with elaborate idioms to create an impact... saying too much with less. 

To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone's leg. So the idiom of the day is:

IDIOM: Head Over Heels

MEANING: Head over heels gained its figurative meaning in 1800. It means to be very much in love with another person. If you are head over heels with someone, you can't let the other person out of your mind.  One local song describe this feeling aptly: "Hindi ako makatulog ... hindi ako makakain. Ganyan liko-liko ang takbo ng utak ko ..."

ORIGIN: In Latin, the term is also known as: per caput pedesque ire. People believe the origin of the idiom had its birth when an American politician David Crockett wrote: " I found myself head over heels in love with this girl ...". 

Head over heels simply means:natatapakan ng paa ang utak ng isang tao ... at hindi ka na makapag-isip ng tama. People felt when they are in love they were turned upside down ... the experience is dizzying as he sees kaleidoscopic and multi-hued objects continually shifting and rapidly changing. Lutang na lutang siya sa kanyang pagmamahal.

USING IT IN A SENTENCE: He can't eat ... he can't sleep ... he was head over heels in love with you.

Idiom In Tagalog

 One of my friends asked:  "Are there idiom equivalents also  in the Tagalog language?" Of course, there are.  Katulad ng idioms sa English, ginagamit ito para tumingkad ang paglalarawan ng mga bagaybagay at para mapaigting  at matalinhaga ang takbo ng usapin o pagsusulat.

And just like in English ... ang kahulugan ng mga "sawikain or idioms" ay magkaiba sa literal meaning ng mga salita. Sa madaling salita ang mga sawikain don't mean exactly what the individual words in it say. Tandaan natin ... ang figurative meaning ng mga sawikain ... is different from its literal meaning.

If your friend say: "Itaga mo sa bato" chill ka lang.  Huwag mong kukunin ang itak ninyo ... at iturok mo sa isang malaking bato. Kapag ginagawa mo yan iho ... you are following the request said of you literally ... at mukhang hindi ka na nagiisip. Hindi mo ba alam na baka maputol lang ang itak ... dahil ang tigas talaga ng bato di ba? Sayang lang.

Itaga mo sa bato means urging another person to believe what he said or promised. In English, he merely says: "Mark my word" ... or simply put "Tandaan mo ito."Pwede ring gamitin ang English derivative nitong: "Read my lips."

Itaga mo sa bato ... makakatapos ako ng studies ko. Mark my word ... makakatapos ako. Tandaan mo ito ... makakatapos ako. Read my lips ... I promise I will finish my studies.

Peks man ... mamatay man ako.