Idiom from Latin: idioma, special property is an expression, word or phrase that has a figurative meaning; this is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Word-group becomes an idiomatic expression. The words develop a specialised meaning as an entity, as an idiom. When a speaker uses an idiom, the listener might mistake its actual meaning, if he or she has not heard this figure of speech before. In English the expression to go round the bend, would mean to go insane . There are many such idiomatic expressions: A Curtain Lecture: nagging by a wife at bedtime A Dutch Wife: a bolster Land of Nod: a state of sleep Let not idioms confuse those unfamiliar with them. Little Red Book of Idioms and Phrases will add to your vocabulary. Let s get into the ball park of idioms and phrases.