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What is the difference between Idioms and Proverbs?

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Question added by نبيلة ابراهيم , محامية معتمدة لدى المحكمة العليا و مجلس الدولة و محكمة التنازع , مكتب محاماة خاص بي
Date Posted: 2014/04/19
Hojat Kermani Nejad
by Hojat Kermani Nejad , English Interpreter /Purchase and Quality control , Water and Waste Company

A proverb is a short popular saying that gives advice about how people should behave or that expresses a belief that is generally thought to be true

An idiom is a phrase that has a meaning of its own that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words

anayat bukhari
by anayat bukhari , Researcher, English Content Writer, Publisher , Noor Foundation

There is a lot of difference between idioms and proverbs.

Idiom is also known as Idiomatic phrase. It has a meaning of its own that is different from the meanings of its individual words. They are used just as parables.

Example:

* "To rub someone the wrong way" means to irritate someone.

* "Someone have to carry the can" means someone needs to take the responsibility.

Proverb is a short popular saying that is an advice about behaviour. It may also express a belief which is generally thought to be true.

Example:

* "Don't cry over spilled milk" means it's too late to worry about a thing which is already done so get on with your own life.

* "A stitch in time saves nine" means an in time action can avoid a lot of issues.

 

So proverbs make sense on its own but its application to a broader situation brings out its real feasibility.

 

 

hanan alhajjar
by hanan alhajjar , translator , AlBayan Model School

I can add to the above answers that an idiom may be One word or more while the proverb is usually more than one word or a statement.

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