Language Art - A Gallery of Idioms

The idea for this post was actually sparked a couple of years ago, when I used an idiom in conversation with my daughter. I thought I had a perfect context for it's use, but she hadn't heard it and didn't get it. In preparation for her competing at a gymnastics meet, we were visiting the meet venue in advance. The discovery of a bronze cast sculpture of two bulls, outside the venue presented the initial reminder plus an excellent opportunity for photos and for the use of the idiom; To take the bull by the horns.

Surprised by the fact that my daughter didn't initially understand the phrase, I've kept a list since, for fun and as it turns out, for a little bit of photography inspiration and challenge for myself, as well.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Too many irons in the fire.
He really went to town.
The proof is in the pudding.
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket. 
A picture is worth a thousand words

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Killing two birds with one stone.
Barking up the wrong tree.
A piece of cake.
Can't have your cake and eat it, too.
Don't let the cat out of the bag.
That's the pot calling the kettle black.
Seeing red.


A succinct definition of an idiom from ExamplesOf.com, "Idioms are literally ideas as expressions"sums up the language phrase concept. Idioms contain "strong elements of a metaphor" and frequently a strong visual element. The visual connotations are probably what fascinate me about the use of idioms and feed right into my visual artist explorations. Another sums it up, a picture is worth a thousand words, as an excellent example."

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

In some cases the meaning of the original expression has remained, but the original reference has been lost. In some cases the words of an idiom have changed but the meaning has remained. Or in some cases, the activity once referred two is no longer really a part of our daily lives, thank goodness. For example, a violent one. Killing two birds with one stone.

Context may be everything in the case of  the use of idioms. Over time some of the words in an idiom may change but the original meaning remains. The meaning of an idiom will be understood by the people functioning within a similar language context but I've noticed that even in the face of some language or cultural differences many understand the meaning behind an expression. Many idioms simply sum up a human event or daily activity experienced widely across cultures, if not now, then in the past. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket, is an example. Undoubtedly, this one would have more significant meaning to those who have actually gathered eggs and more significance still, if those eggs actually meant a meal on the table.

An idiom that my daughter didn't initially understand when
I thought I had more then a perfect context for it's
use before she competed at a gymnastics meet.

The key to passing on an understanding of language, it's many variations and the idioms it includes, is to engage in conversation frequently. Experience with using the words and expressions of our language well and with meaning requires engagement with that language. Encouraging ongoing dialog and providing opportunities for rich conversations in our homes and daily encounters is vital for our young ones to understand the world around them, the views of others and to express their own views well enough for others to understand. Engaging in conversation frequently with family, friends and as we go about our daily activities with those we meet along the way is important to maintaining understanding between us all.

Don't let the cat out of the bag
(or in this case, the box).

The proof is in the pudding, is a good example of the meaning of an idiom being carried on without the entirety of the phrase. I wonder how many children have a context to understand the complete process of making pudding. Apparently, the original phrase has actually evolved by dropping part of the early reference of the set of the pudding. Referring to the desired result of a set pudding, actually makes more sense out of the phrase. However, who now, except for an active chef would even understand that the set of the pudding is everything in making a successful pudding. By referring to the result of an endeavor, the proof is in the pudding, phrase to applies to the concept of good work, good results. I'll end with that idiom because it can be applied to the use of much dialog, discussion and language in our families, too. It's a good reminder to continue active dialog and communication as parents with our children. The set of our children's language skills is proof of the value of talking, talking, talking with our children.

As an example, Dictionary.com (a site I frequently use as a reference tool) has a cute video of a couple of kids explaining a few common English idioms.

These Kids Have Bright Ideas About Idioms

Click on the title, check it out and keep talking to the children.

2018 Fresh Start, New Year Special

Sharing the Shining Summer Season in Rhyme

The Wind by Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high And blow the birds about the sky; And all around I heard you pass, Like ladies' skirts across the grass--                   O wind, a-blowing all day long,                   O wind, that sings so loud a song! I saw the different things you did, But always you yourself you hid. I felt you push, I heard you call, I could not see yourself at all--                  O wind, a-blowing all day long,                  O wind, that sings so loud a song! O you that are so strong and cold, O blower, are you young or old? Are you a beast of field and tree, Or just a stronger child than me?                 O wind, a-blowing all day long,                 O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Or if you'd like to hear an arrangement of Robert Louis Stevenson's poem The Wind set to music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76YWxHrG34Y

Here's another lovely one about the windy summer fun of flying kites. Hold tight to that string!

http://www.daphnelister.com/about.html

Another great poetry resource with a home in Chicago: The Poetry Foundation

Are You Sharing Poetry with Your Young Ones?

In no way shape or form am I an expert or even a connoisseur of poetry. I can't tell you about or name more than a couple of the many forms of poetry, without doing a little research - haiku and limerick are two I know, for example. However, I know what I enjoy when I read and am often inspired to read something aloud to enjoy it more fully. Reading poetry aloud increases the understanding and appreciation of a poem for both the reader and listener.  Give it a try!


I own an old set of Child Craft books, my mom bought them when I was a child. I poured over each volume individually as a child myself and I remember my mom reading to me from them when I was very young. The one I most remember being read to me, was the one filled with poetry for children.



I have and am still trying, on occasion to share a bit of rhythmic and/or rhyming verse with my teen children, usually at times when I have them captive; at the dinner table or while doing homework in a common space in our home. They may roll their eyes and and grin at each other when I do but there are times when a little poetry reading fits the occasion. Something might still sink in and quite possibly bring them a new insight or appreciation of rhythmic verse.

The poem below is delightful and perfect for reading following the common midwest summer experience of discovering a milkweed plant. If you are really lucky, you'll find a beautiful monarch butterfly on the milkweed and you'll be able to turn the experience into a unit study or you and your children will be inspired to write a few summer poems of your own!

Dainty Milkweed Babies

Dainty milkweed babies,

Wrapped in cradles green,

Rocked by Mother Nature,

Fed by hands unseen.

Brown coats have the darlings,

Slips of milky white;

And wings - but that's a secret,

They're folded out of sight.

The cradles grow so narrow, what will the babies do?

They’ll only grow the faster, and look up toward the blue.

And now they’ve found the secret, they’re flying through the air,

They’ve left the cradles empty, - do milkweed babies care?

First two stanzas found in STANDARD CATHOLIC READERS BY GRADES SECOND YEAR by Mary E Doyle. (page 28)
The third stanza not attributed.
If anyone knows, please comment.

Based on personal experience, I have learned that most poetry is best enjoyed by hearing it or reading it out loud. The rhythms and collected together sounds of the words bring new appreciation when heard. Doing a few poetry readings or listening together can be lots of fun.

Enrichment Studies offers excellent resources for engaging children in the arts including poetry. The packages they offer are clear, easy to use and visually appealing. Check out what they have to offer by clicking on the image below.

The book Poetry Speaks to Children is wonderful collection of poetry meant for children that comes with a CD for listening. It includes poems by Jane Yolen, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni and other great wordsmiths. If you don't feel like reading, just listen to a few from the CD together. An excellent activity for a little quiet time on a summer afternoon. 

Available form amazon.