question archive Idiomatic Expressions Idiomatic expressions are an example of a case where the rules of compositional semantics break down
Idiomatic Expressions Idiomatic expressions are an example of a case where the rules of compositional semantics break down
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Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are an example of a case where the rules of compositional semantics break down. Because the meaning of these expressions cannot be understood as the sum of their parts, they are often difficult for language learners to understand and a literal translation into another language will result in a phrase that doesn't make sense. Find an idiomatic expression in another language and translate it into English literally, and then find the equivalent in English. The best answers will discuss how you know the expression is an idiom.
