Ikha Fradita Nitami: Idioms and Symbol Reference

Idiom Definition

The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the phrase is interpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in different cultures and countries.

Common Idioms

Some idioms are used by most people that speak English; others are used by a more select group.

Common idioms that refer to people include:

A chip on your shoulder - means you are holding a grudge
High as a kite - means you are drunk or on drugs
Sick as a dog - means you are very ill

Idioms that refer to your actions would be:

Rub someone the wrong way - meaning to annoy or bother
Jump the gun - would mean to be doing something early
Pay the piper - means you need to face the consequences of your actions

Some idioms use color words to convey other meanings. For example, there are several that use the word “blue:”

“The blues” can refer to both a style of music and feeling sad.
If something occurs rarely, it is said to happen “once in a blue moon”, because a blue moon is two full moons in one month, which doesn’t happen often.
“Out of the blue” means something happens that was unexpected.

Idioms In the Arts

There are many idioms in the field of music.

If you “fine tune” something, you make small improvements to it.
“Changing your tune” means changing your mind.
If you are “whistling Dixie” or “whistling in the dark” you are overly positive about something.
If you try and make a decision too early without knowing all the facts, people may tell you that “it’s not over ‘till the fat lady sings.”

Drama and dance have idioms, too, like:

“Break a leg” means good luck.
If you are a “ham” you overact.
If you say, “it takes two to tango” you mean that more than one person is at fault or involved.
If you “tap dance” your way out of a sticky situation, then that implies that you get out of it in a clever way.
Being “in the spotlight” means you are the center of attention.

Remember, a group of people with shared interests such as the arts or business will have their own idioms. As with all idioms it will be easier to understand the idioms if you concentrate on what is being said and ask questions about the meanings of the idioms.

Symbol Reference

Reference Symbols and Punctuation: The asterisk, dagger, paragraph mark, section mark, and star must be represented by the symbols listed below; English braille symbols must not be used. Some of these signs are also used as signs of operation. However, when used as reference symbols, they must be transcribed in accordance with the following rules.

A reference symbol or numeral printed in a superscript position must not be shown as a superscript in braille. Reference symbols must be punctuated mathematically.