Top 30 Famous Idioms Examples In Literature

idioms in literature
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Idioms in literature and poetry bring vivid, culturally rich expressions that resonate across language and time. As figurative phrases, they enhance storytelling by layering literal meanings with metaphorical significance, bridging language or culture and adding depth to character dialogues and themes.

English idioms, particularly those in classic literature and poetry, have long influenced idiomatic translation and speech in everyday contexts. I share 30 famous idioms examples in literature, their historical origins, and how they shape idiomatic writing for literature and poetry. Each example reveals the cultural nuances and timeless appeal of these expressions, illustrating their role in both literary works and in daily speech.

  1. Bite the dust
  2. To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
  3. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
  4. Crocodile tears
  5. To be in a pickle
  6. Break the ice
  7. Green-eyed monster
  8. The world’s my oyster
  9. In the twinkling of an eye
  10. Wear many hats
  11. Grasp at straws
  12. To bury the hatchet
  13. Turn a blind eye
  14. To live in a fool’s paradise
  15. Apple of his eye
  16. A man of few words
  17. Cast the first stone
  18. The writing on the wall
  19. Burn the candle at both ends
  20. Thorn in one’s side
  21. To kill two birds with one stone
  22. Et tu, Brute?
  23. Once in a blue moon
  24. A heavy heart
  25. To take with a grain of salt
  26. Achilles’ heel
  27. Swan song
  28. To pull the wool over someone’s eyes
  29. Cry wolf
  30. To wash one’s hands of

What is the idiom in literature?

In literature, an idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning differs from its literal words. These figurative phrases often use metaphorical language, conveying meanings unique to specific cultures or historical contexts. For instance, “break the ice” means to ease tension in a social setting, not physically breaking ice.

Research highlights idioms as essential linguistic tools. A study from the Journal of Pragmatics (2017) noted that idioms help enrich narrative and dialogue, creating relatable, vivid imagery for readers.

What are the 30 famous Examples of idioms in literature?

Here are the 30 famous idioms examples from literature:

Bite the dust – The Iliad by Homer

Meaning: To die or be defeated.
Example: “He saw warriors bite the dust as the battle raged on.”

Bite the dust

To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve – Othello by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To openly show emotions.
Example: “Cassio wore his heart on his sleeve, which proved dangerous.”

A wolf in sheep’s clothing – Matthew 7:15 (Bible)

Meaning: A deceitful person hiding behind a harmless appearance.
Example: “The character was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, gaining trust only to betray.”

Crocodile tears – Othello by William Shakespeare

Meaning: Insincere expressions of sadness.
Example: “Her crocodile tears did not fool the sharp-eyed observer.”

To be in a pickle – The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To be in a difficult situation.
Example: “Trinculo found himself in a pickle as the plot thickened.”

Break the ice – The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To initiate conversation in a tense situation.
Example: “They struggled to break the ice at the formal event.”

Green-eyed monster – Othello by William Shakespeare

Meaning: Jealousy.
Example: “The green-eyed monster consumed Othello, leading to tragedy.”

The world’s my oyster – The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

Meaning: Unlimited potential or opportunities.
Example: “With newfound wealth, he believed the world was his oyster.”

In the twinkling of an eye – 1 Corinthians 15:52 (Bible)

Meaning: Something happening instantly.
Example: “In the twinkling of an eye, the peace turned to chaos.”

Wear many hats – The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Meaning: To have multiple roles or responsibilities.
Example: “In the palace, the king wore many hats, managing various duties.”

Grasp at straws – Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Meaning: To make a desperate attempt.
Example: “Sancho Panza grasped at straws to please Don Quixote.”

To bury the hatchet – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Meaning: To end a conflict.
Example: “They agreed to bury the hatchet after years of rivalry.”

Turn a blind eye – Horatio Nelson (attributed in biographies)

Meaning: To ignore something intentionally.
Example: “He turned a blind eye to the wrongdoings in his ranks.”

To live in a fool’s paradise – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To be happy in a false sense of security.
Example: “Romeo lived in a fool’s paradise, unaware of lurking dangers.”

Apple of his eye – Psalm 17:8 (Bible)

Meaning: A cherished or loved person.
Example: “She was the apple of his eye, treasured above all else.”

A man of few words – King Henry V by William Shakespeare

Meaning: Someone who speaks rarely but meaningfully.
Example: “King Henry was a man of few words, yet commanded respect.”

Cast the first stone – John 8:7 (Bible)

Meaning: To be the first to criticize or accuse.
Example: “They were quick to cast the first stone, despite their own flaws.”

The writing on the wall – Book of Daniel 5:5 (Bible)

Meaning: A clear sign of impending trouble.
Example: “The writing on the wall was evident as the king’s downfall neared.”

Burn the candle at both ends – Edna St. Vincent Millay, “First Fig”

Meaning: To overwork oneself.
Example: “He burned the candle at both ends, leading to exhaustion.”

Thorn in one’s side – 2 Corinthians 12:7 (Bible)

Meaning: A persistent source of irritation.
Example: “The rebel was a thorn in the leader’s side.”

To kill two birds with one stone – Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Meaning: To achieve two things at once.
Example: “He killed two birds with one stone by solving both problems.”

Et tu, Brute? – Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Meaning: An expression of betrayal by a trusted person.
Example: “He felt an ‘Et tu, Brute?’ moment when his friend turned on him.”

Once in a blue moon – The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope

Meaning: Something rare.
Example: “The comet appeared once in a blue moon.”

A heavy heart – Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To feel sadness or sorrow.
Example: “She departed with a heavy heart, leaving her home.”

A heavy heart

To take with a grain of salt – Pliny the Elder

Meaning: To approach with skepticism.
Example: “He took the politician’s promises with a grain of salt.”

Achilles’ heel – The Iliad by Homer

Meaning: A vulnerability or weakness.
Example: “His ambition proved to be his Achilles’ heel.”

Swan song – Phaedo by Plato

Meaning: A final performance or gesture.
Example: “The artist’s last concert was his swan song.”

To pull the wool over someone’s eyes – Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

Meaning: To deceive someone.
Example: “They pulled the wool over his eyes, hiding the truth.”

Cry wolf – Aesop’s Fables

Meaning: To give false alarms.
Example: “After crying wolf so many times, no one believed him.

To wash one’s hands of – Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Meaning: To end involvement or responsibility.
Example: Lady Macbeth tried to wash her hands of guilt, but it haunted her.

How we can do idiomatic writing For Literature?

We can do idiomatic writing for literature by blending English idioms naturally into narrative and dialogue. This approach deepens character expression, aligning with language or culture. Using familiar idioms examples, especially those present in literature and in daily speech, enhances relatability while preserving authentic voice.

In idiomatic translation, maintaining original idioms is vital to convey intended meaning. Writers should choose idioms that support themes without confusing readers, ensuring cultural relevance and accessibility.

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