THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLISH

Abstract

Idiomatic expressions are an important component of the English language and play a significant role in effective communication. Unlike ordinary lexical units, idioms often convey meanings that cannot be fully understood from the literal meanings of their constituent words. This study examines the semantic features of English idiomatic expressions, focusing on non-compositionality, semantic opacity, metaphorical motivation, cultural specificity, and semantic variation. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research analyzes examples of English idioms and relevant linguistic literature. The findings indicate that idioms function as fixed multiword expressions whose meanings are primarily based on figurative interpretation. The study also reveals that many idioms are influenced by conceptual metaphors and cultural experiences, while differing in their degree of semantic transparency. The results contribute to the understanding of lexical semantics and highlight the importance of idioms in language teaching, translation studies, and intercultural communication.