figures of speech

Traces the history of figurative language, with more than two thousand analogies, metaphors, and similes from the English language, explaining the basis and meaning of each example.

Contains 180 activities that help students practice writing and language skills, and includes reproducible worksheets.

Explains how Roald Dahl created characters through the use of exaggeration, metaphors, and similies. Also explores the characteristics of the good and evil figures in his children's books, and introduces the man who inspired the Big Friendly Giant in the BFG.

A snow storm the day before Christmas causes a boy many worries, which are not helped by such confusing phrases as "Don't be a wet blanket" and "That's the way the cookie crumbles.".

Defines over 8,000 idiomatic words, expressions, regionalisms, and informal English expression, cross-referenced for easy access.

Combination of reverse dictionary and thesaurus with thousands of descriptions of terms organized into 20 subject categories.

This updated A-to-Z dictionary presents more than 8000 idiomatic words and phrases specific to American-style English. Prefaces written in nine languages help explain what an idiom is, what kinds there are, and how they work.