The Idiom

Figurative idioms

Figurative idioms are expressions so common you don't question their source: let the cat out of the bag; he has a monkey on his back; it's the straw that broke the camel's back; you're splitting hairs; the ball's in your court; etc. Many figurative idioms have become clichés. You can use them occasionally, when they do a job for you—but don't overuse them. Also, be sure you know what they mean and that you use them correctly. Don't make the mistake of the real-estate agent who told her client, “ The monkey's in your court now.”

Prepositional idioms

The most common idiom is an expression that depends on the choice of a particular preposition. The choice may seem arbitrary. For example, why do we say “She put up with him” rather than “She put on with him”? “At home” rather than “ in home”? Why is it “sick of him” rather than “sick from him”? No logical reason—the expressions are idiomatic. Notice in addition that many words take different prepositions to form different idioms. For example to wait on someone is different from to wait for someone.

Prepositional idioms don't follow rules you can memorize. Fortunately, you don't need rules. You can usually rely on your own ear and your own experience. When you're in doubt about the right preposition for an expression, check a good dictionary. The entry for a word sometimes gives you a phrase showing which preposition to use. When the word is associated with several idioms, they are often listed at the end of the entry. For example, after definitions of come in Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, you'll find a list of idioms and their meanings: to come about, to come across, to come along, to come around, to come between, etc.

Selected list of prepositional idioms

Although far from complete, this list illustrates the importance of prepositions in forming idioms.

• accompanied by (in the company of)—The reporter was accompanied by his lawyer.

• accompanied with (linked with)—Martinez accompanied his speech with a series of photographs.

• accountable for (responsible for)—I am accountable for the errors in the book.

• accountable to (answerable to someone)—I am accountable to the board of directors.

• accuse of ( not with)—He accused the speaker of lying.

• adapt from (a model)—He adapted the design from one he had seen in Europe.

• adapt to (a situation, an environment)—The children soon adapted to the new school.

• admit of (allow)—The conflict doesn't admit of an easy resolution.

• admit to, into (a place, a group)—He was admitted into the secret organization.

• admit to (confess)—Dr. Allan admitted to having sent the card.

• agree on or upon (something)—We agreed on a date for the meeting.

• agree to (do something)—We agree to pay the damages.

• agree with (people, opinions)—The women who were polled agreed with the judge.

• analogous to (something similar)—Their marriage is analogous to a war that no one wins.

• angry at (things)—We're angry at the lack of attention the proposal received.

• angry with (people)—We're angry with the people who lied to us about their support.

• annoyed at or with (a person)—The doctor was annoyed at her nurse for the interruption.

• annoyed by (something)—The doctor was annoyed by the constant interruptions.

• apprehensive for (concerned for)—They are apprehensive for the stranded travelers.

• apprehensive of (a danger)—The townspeople are apprehensive of the approaching storm.

• assist at (an event)—He assisted at the service.

• assist with (someone or something)—Mr. Nguyen assisted with the refreshments and the flowers.

• based on ( not in)—The decision was based on our experience with the media.

• bored by, with ( not of)—He was bored by their speeches and bored with his job.

• comply with ( not to)— If you comply with the rules, you'll be accepted.

• contend for (a position, a prize)—The candidates have contended for the office twice.

• contend with (an obstacle)—The candidate has to contend with his lack of personal charm.

• defect in (things)—The defect in the system was its inflexibility.

• defect of (people, qualities)—A defect of conscience caused his action.

• depart for ( not to, a destination)—They depart for England tomorrow.

• depart from (a destination, a tradition)—They departed from their routine today.

• differ from (something)—The first version differs from the second.

• differ with (someone)—I differ with you on that issue.

• end in (a state, a feeling)—The relationship ended in sorrow.

• end with (something)—I think the world will end with a bang, not a whimper.

• enter into (an agreement)—We entered into the alliance filled with hope. (Compare enter meaning to go into, which takes no preposition: We entered the room.)

• fired from ( not off of, a job)—He was fired from his job on Friday.

• grateful for (a benefit)—I am grateful for my musical talent.

• grateful to (a person)—I am grateful to you for the help.

• impatient at (a delay)—They were impatient at having to wait so long.

• impatient for (a result)—We are impatient for an answer from the administration.

• impatient with (a person)—He was impatient with the clerk.

• intervene in (a dispute)—I intervened in the fight.

• intervene between (the disputants)—I intervened between them before they came to blows.

• invest in (something or someone)—We invested our hopes in the new leader.

• invest with (a quality)—He invested her with every virtue.

• mastery of (a subject)—She demonstrated her mastery of mathematics.

• mastery over (a person)—She demonstrated her mastery over her opponent.

• part from (leave)—I parted from the group early this year.

• part with (a possession)—I parted with the Rolls Royce reluctantly.

• reconcile to (an outcome)—They reconciled themselves to failure.

• reconcile with (a person)—He reconciled with his parents after they talked.

• suspect of ( not with)—I am suspected of shoplifting.

• true to (form; a person; a belief)—They are true to their principles.

• true with (an edge, a line)—This metal plate should be true with the threshold.