The Independent : Tell me what your English friends read and Ill tell you who they are [615919]

An approach to English
Idioms Used i n Newspaper
Headline s

DECLARAȚIE

Subsemnata Albu (Jingan) Gabriela , candidată la examenul de diplomă la Departamentul de
Formare Continuă și Transfer Tehnologic, pentru programul de conversie „ LIMBĂ ȘI LITERATURĂ
ENGLEZĂ ” declar pe propria răspundere că lucrarea de față este rezultatul muncii mele, pe baza
cercetărilor mele și pe baza informațiilor obținute din surse care au fost citate și indicate, conform
normelor etice, în note și în bibliografie. Declar că nu am folosit în mod tacit sau ilegal munca altora și
că nici o parte din lucrare nu încalcă drepturile de proprietate intelectuală ale altcuiva, persoană fizică
sau juridică. Declar că lucrarea nu a mai fost prezentată sub aceas tă formă vreunei instituții de
învățământ superior în vederea obținerii unui grad sau titlu științific ori didactic.

Semnătura,
____________________

1
Contents

Introduction ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. …… 2
Chapter 1: Corpus Presentation of British Press Titles ………………………….. 4
1.1. The birth of the press ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ……………. 4
1.1.1. The press in England ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ……… 4
1.1.2. Types of newspapers ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. …………. 6
1.1.3. The main English dailies ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ….. 11
1.2. Headline definition and concepts ………………………….. ………………………….. ……………………… 12
1.2.1. The importance of headlines in newspapers ……………………………. ………………………….. … 14
1.2.2. Online press . ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ……………….. 16
1.2.3. The semantics of headlines. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………. 16

Chapter 2: Idioms in English Vocabulary ………………………….. ………………………… 18
2.1. Idioms concepts and definitions ………………………….. ………………………….. ……………………….. 18
2.2. Types of idioms ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. …………………. 19
2.3. Idioms c lassification ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. …………… 21
2.3.1. A semantic classification of idioms ………………………….. ………………………….. ……………. 24

Chapter 3: Interpretation and Analysis of the Idioms Used in
Headlines ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ……….. 28
3.1. Headlines selection and analysis ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………. 28
3.2. Re marks ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. .. 36

Conclusion ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. …….. 39
Bibliography ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. ………………………….. … 40

2
Introduction

Since the origins of civilizations, leaders and people have f elt the need and the
desire to know what was happening in the whole society maters, politics, economic s, and
sports .
In the oral tradition, storytellers, peddlers, troubadours fulfilled this function of
communication and information, connecting the different groups of a community that was
gradually expanding. Nowadays it is the written press or online that informs and gi ves us
news from all over the world. Newspaper headlines, more specifically headlines, draw
readers’ attention from the beginning. The desire to shock and sell, to be the most read
newspaper of the country, puts before us interesting titles, but sometimes also difficult to
understand, if you are not native. The front pages display the most important information and
news stories of the day. They use short, concise expressions and also contain idioms, phrases
and titles. They usually appear in the form of a d ependent clause, phrase or a clause with
some omitted words. This mostly causes ambiguity and vagueness in the delivery of actual
information. Hence, the readers must be familiar with the differentiated structure of
newspaper headlines, for example idioms, phrases, unusual grammatical structure etc. so that
they may fully and correctly grasp the provided information in less time.
Idiomatic expressions have always been a linguist ic barrier that is difficult to
overcome. Understanding a native is not always an easy task. These expressions appear in
newspapers, so how to do to understand their meanings?
The aim of this scientific research is to identify the frequency of use of idioms in
newspapers headlines and their significance.
The o bjectives of the approach are:
➢ to analyze the presence of idiom s in the most important English newspapers published
last five months ;
➢ to identify the types of idioms used;
➢ to propose and decode the meaning of these idioms.
Research questions refer to:
➢ Idiom types found in English Newspapers ;
➢ Types of news in which idiomatic expressions are used;
➢ The relative differences exist in idiomatic expressions used in different English
newspapers .

3
The hypotheses of the research
➢ idioms abound in newspaper headline ;
➢ the meaning of the idioms can be understood taking into account the news type;
➢ the idiom s used in the headline tell the main theme of the story .
The methodology research methods I have used in this present paper are:
observation, synthesis, and statistics .
Idioms are a type of formulaic language as we can read in English Idioms in Use
(McCarthy, M., 2010: 6). Formulaic language consists of fixed expressions which we learn
and understand as units rather than as individual words. An idiom is a phrase, a saying or a
group of words with a not literal meaning, which is now accepted in everyday use. The
symbolic meaning of an idiom is quite different from the literal meaning or the definition of
the words that compose it. There are many idioms and they are very commonly used in all
languages. It is esti mated that there are at least 25,000 languages in English. Idioms, in fact,
make the language evolve; they are the building blocks of a language and a civilization. They
also have great intensity to make an interesting and dynamic language. The idioms br ing a
spectacular illustration to the daily speech. They provide interesting information on the use of
words, languages and the thought processes of their speakers. They have a sense of mystery
and fun about them .

4
Chapter 1 Corpus Presentation of British Press Titles
1.1. The birth of the press

According to ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) from the Middle Ages, then the
Renaissance, the creation of larger states, the development of knowledge and trade or banking
increased the need for information.
The appearance of the typography developed by Gutenberg in 1438 opened the door
to a rapid multiplication of the same text. From th e end of the 15th century, the occasional
appeared, small notebook of flying leaves tell ing the important events. In the sixteenth
century, the tensions between the groups pushed each to make his propaganda in the form of
libels , massive publications of loose leaves which maintained the polemics religious or
political. Very quickly, the state s imposed censorship and repressive legislation to put a stop
to these excesses which could prove dangerous for the unity of the State.
The first periodic prints were the almanacs , from 1460. They retraced the annual or
half-yearly chronology of t he main events. Then the gazettes appeared and retraced
periodically the sequence of events that accelerated with the wars of the seventeenth century.
It is around 1620 or 1640, according to the countries, that one notes the appearance of a
regular press which eng ages more and more in the analysis and the commentary.

1.1.1. The press in England
In England, the power of the press was felt more and more and in 1662 the regime in
place passed the Licensing Act which imposed a system of prior authorization and censorship
for all publications. This lasted until 1688. In 1712, the press was subject to stamp duty on
each copy. As early as 1787, the "fourth power" was spoken of in the press, and it is not
surprising that the legislature tried to impose limits on it with the vote of the Libel Act of
1792, which defined the conditions that could to bring journalists to be prosecuted.
The titles of the time were quite ephemeral. His torians remember a few such as The
London Gazette , The Daily Courant (1702), The Daily Advertiser (1730), The Gentlema n's
Magazine (published in 1731). Others have remained in history, marked by the prestige of a
famous pen, like Daniel Defoe's The Revue , which he edited alone between 1704 and 1713;
The Tatler of Steele and Addison between 1709 and 1711; or The Spectator stifled in 1712 by
the stamp duty too expensive.

5
Very political, very polemical at first, some publications diversifi ed and brought
novelties, like The Daily Post which published in 1719 the famous story Robinson Crusoe of
Daniel Defoe in the form of soap opera.
In the nineteenth century, new manufacturing techniques helped lower the price of
newspapers and thus affect less well -off classes. The development of the railways made it
possible to accelerate the distribution of it and brought up the system of subscription. The
invention of the electric telegraph in 1837 by Morse greatly accelerated the transmission of
information that was already passing through news agencies: Havas (1832); Associated Press
(1848); Reuter (18 51).
The m ajor dailies of the time were: The Times (1788), The Morning Chronicle
(1769), The Morning Post , The Morning Herald , The Daily News (founded by Charles
Dickens), or The Morning Journal . There appeared at the same time a Sunday press on the
sidelines of the daily press, with: The Sunday Monitor (1779); The Observer (1791, and still
exists); The Sunday Times ; The Bell's Weekly Messenger ; News of the World (1843 and still in
press); The Ll oyd's Weekly News … This is still a particular feature of the press across the
Channel. At the same time, a quality provincial press developed with titles such as The
Scotman of Edinburgh (1817) and The Manchester Guardian (1821).
The 1850s saw the emer gence of techniques that allowed the printing of
illustrations, but it is especially the year 1855 that marked a turning point for the British press
with the elimination of Taxes on Knowledge that lowered prices and to multiply the titles of
which many are still pr esent nowadays. Then appeared: The Daily Telegraph (1855); The
Standard (1857) … Then a popular press at a very low price: The Evening News (1881); The
Star (1888); The Daily Ma il very popular (1896).
It was soon, at the beginning of the XXth century, the golden age of the written
press which did not yet have competitors in the diffusion of the information (the radio will not
appea r until 1920, followed by the news filmed in cinema , television around 1950, then
Internet (late 1980s) and soon the info virtually live on his cell phone!
Today's press in the UK is largely born at this time of the golden age, either by the
evolution of existing titles, or b y the birth of new pages like: The Daily Express (1900), The
Daily Mirror (1904) … giving a very important place to the illustration, sometimes to the
detriment of the seriousness of the content! An exception: the late birth, in 1986, of a new
title: The Independent : Tell me what your English friends read and I'll tell you who they are!
Certainly helped by a VAT rate at 0% (yes, it exists!), The British daily press
reaches record draws. But the most important for us, foreign visitors, is to know how to

6
decode what kind of press read our English friends. As in France, some newspapers are
strongly marked politically, and by discovering their trends, you can guess the political
opinions of your guests during a future stay in London or Chester, and this, at t he sight of the
daily will be missed not to hang out on the breakfast table, slipped into the mailbox on the
front door by a teenager who makes his pocket money .

1.1.2. Types of newspaper s
According to ABC, which releases data for the UK media industry, the most
important daily, weekly, Sunday , monthly newspapers and magazine are:
A. Daily papers
Title Founded Remarks
The Times 1785 A serious newspaper, a pillar of the British
Establishment, it addresses the ruling
classes and covers news from around the
world. Politically independent, he is often
close to conservative party ideas.
The Evening Standard 1827 This is an exception: the only evening
newspaper! Popular newspaper.
The Daily Telegraph 1855 From the "Morning Post" created in 1722.
Serious center -right journal that generally
supports the views of the conservative party.
It has its version on the Internet: "The
Electronic Telegraph"
The Financial Times 1888 A serious newspaper devoted almost
exclusively to the economy, finance and the
stock market. Sold mainly in the City of
London area. It is very recognizable by the
salmon colour of the paper on which it is
printed.
The Daily Mail 1896 Popular newspaper of center right.
The Daily Express 1900 Popular newspaper that generally supports
the conservative party.
The Daily Mirror 1903 Popular newspaper of center right.

7
The Guardian (1821) 1961 From the "Manchester Guardian" created in
1821 and renamed "Guardian" in 1961.
Serious journal of the left, close to the
Labor Party. It has its version on the
Internet.
The Morning Star 1930 It was sold under the name of "Daily
Worker" until 1966.Popular newspaper that
supported the British Communist Party.
Since the mid -1980s, he has espoused the
views of a group of PC dissidents who
founded The Communist Party of Britain
The Sun 1964 From the "Daily Herald" Popular newspaper
always looking for the sensational. It uses a
lot of pictures (including the traditional
naked woman on page 3!), Little text, and
always xenophobia. It is very conservative
(in the bad sense of the word).
The Daily Star 1978 From the newspaper "The Star". Aggressive
popular newspaper that addresses the
younger generation rather revolted.
The Independent 1986 Serious journal with free ideas.
Today 1986 Popular newspaper that was one of the first
to be printed with colour photos. It follows
fashion and happens to be more of a center
right.
Table 1: Daily papers

B. Sunday papers
They are, in fact, weekly, but published on Saturdays in the form of newspapers. More
expensive than the dailies, they are composed of several notebooks, often more than 100
pages each, gathering information and files by themes: the news of the week analyz ed, culture
and outings, fashion and cooking, sports … not to mention, in addition, a color magazine with,

8
in general, television programs. They are written by teams of journalists different from those
of newspapers of the same name.
Title Founded Remarks
The Observer 1791 A serious weekly, well
known for his extensive files,
he is independent but rather
left-center. He now belongs
to the group of "Guardian".
It is sold with a colour
magazine: "The Observer
Magazine".
The Sunday Times 1822 Right center quality weeklies,
including 9 notebooks!
It is sold with a colour
magazine: "Sunday Times
Magazine"
News of the World 1843 Weekly popular and vulgar,
do not be afraid of words!
Specialized in gossip, sordid
crime, scandals. It is sold
with a color magazine:
"Sunday".
The People 1881 Popular weekly that
specializes in "lived stories".
The Sunday Mirror 1915 It was first published under
the name "Sunday Pictorial"
until 1964. Popular center left
weekly
The Sunday Express 1918 Popular rather conservative
weekly newspaper that often
publishes papers signed by
important personalities. It is
sold with a colour magazine:

9
"Sunday Express Magazine".
The Sunday Telegraph 1961 Weekly quality rather center
right, known for its
supplements on books, sports
… Since 1988, and his colour
magazine appears on …
Saturday!
The Mail on Sunday 1982 Edition of the weekend of the
Mail. Weekly popular,
always in search of "scoop"
and sca ndal.
It is sold with a colour
magazine: "You".
The Sunday Sport 1986 Popular weekly magazine in
search of sensational!
The Independent on Sunday 1990 Weekly quality as its daily
title.
Table 2: Sunday papers

C. Weekly papers
One could add to this list of other weeklies published in the form of newspapers, but
much smaller and sold around the world to British expatriates in the first place :
Title Remarks
The Guardian Weekly Serious weekly, long printed on very fine peel paper to limit
airmail costs worldwide. It reviews the most important news
from the UK, but from around the world as well.
The Weekly Telegraph The Weekly Telegraph is the international sister title of the
award -winning Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph.
Published every Wednesday and packed in a tabloid format
for our readers outside the UK, it takes a selection from these
two prestigious newspapers and highlights the very best of
British journalism on the market today.
Table 3: Weekly papers

10
D. Weekly & monthly magazines
Title Founded Remarks
The Economist 1843 He is close to the
Conservative Party.
Titbits 1881 Popular weekly.
The Times Litteray
Supplement Literary Magazine … better
known as: "TLS"
The Times Educational
Supplement Weekly devoted to the
problems of education. It is
known under the diminutive
of: "TES".
Private Eye 1962 Satirical newspaper
Time Out 1968 Weekly on arts and
entertainment in London
(cinema, theatre, restaurants,
exhibitions, …).
Table 4 : Weekly & monthly magazines

1.1.3. The main English dailies
The English press is characterized by two aspects which distinguish it particularly;
on the one hand the importance of a national press, on the other hand the very great influence
of this press in the life of the nation. The press is one of the great inst itutions of Great Britain,
and more particularly of England; it was in the 17th century that the first daily or weekly
newspapers were published in several European countries, including Great Britain. At first,
the first newspapers were sheets of official information; thus the Oxford Gazette was born in
1665; renamed London Gazette in 1666, the newspaper still exists today, an Official Journal
of England, largely unknown to the English. Among the headlines of the English press
today, the Times is the old est. This newspaper, founded in 1785, is still considered one of the
reference journals for Great Britain. Other headlines of the national press were founded
during the 19th century, the Guardian (ex Manchester Guardian) in 1821, the Daily Telegraph
in 185 5, the Daily Mail in 1896, and the Daily Express in 1900.
According to data provided by ABC, in https://angleterre.org.uk/civi/presse –
anglaise.htm , the main English dailies are:

11
Title, fou nded in Average
sales 2017
Gender and
positioning
Owner Sunday
equivalent
The so -called "quality" press

The Times
1785

450 000 Reference newspaper,
flagship of the English
press. Conservative
trend Opposed to
Brexit
News Inter –
national
(Murdoch) Sunday Times
The Daily Tele –
graph
1855 478 000 The big traditional
conservative trend
newspaper. Favorable
Brexit The Barclay
brothers The Sunday
Telegraph
The Guar dian
1821 149 000 Liberal / Center Left
Trend Reference
Journal. Opposed to
Brexit Scott Trust
(Guardian
Media Group) The Observer
The Inde pendent
1986 Center Left Trend
Reference / Has
stopped its paper
version in 2016. Only
exists on the internet.
Opposed to Brexit Alexandre
Lebedev Independent on
Sunday
The “I”
2010 268 000 The only quality
tabloid newspaper
opposed to Brexit Alexandre
Lebedev Independent on
Sunday
The Finan cial
Times
1888 186 000 Daily Financial and
News – Became
International
Newspaper – Opposed
to Brexit Pearson

12
The tabloids
The Daily
Express
1900 380 000 Daily middle -of-the-
range, conservative
and traditionalist. In
2015 supports UKIP.
In 2016 very favorable
to Brexit. In 2019 still
very Brexit Richard
Desmond Sunday Express
The Daily Mail
1896 1,42 m Daily populist mid –
range, conservative
trend. Favourable to
Brexit … but in 2019
less favourable since
change of wording Lord Rothe –
rmere – Daily
Mail Trust Mail on Sunday
The Daily Star
1978 421 000 Populist and very
conservative
newspaper. In 2016
very favourable to
Brexit Richard
Desmond
The Mirror
1903 625 000 Daily popular left /
center -left trend.
Opposed to Brexit Trinity Mirror
group Sunday Mirror
The Sun
1964 1,56 m Popular daily
newspaper of populist
and conservative
tendency. In 2016 very
favourable to Brexit. News Inter –
national (Mur –
doch) Sun on Sunday
(was News of
the World)
Table 5 : English dailies

1.2. Headline definitions and concepts
Searching in the dictionaries we can find the following definition for a headline :
1) Collinsdictionary.com
Countable noun

13
a) A headline is the title of a newspaper story, printed in large letters at the top of the story,
especially on the front page.
e.g The Daily Mail has the headline 'The Voice of Conscience'.
b) Synonyms: heading , title, caption, headline banner

Plural noun
a) The headlines are the main points of the news which are read on radio or television.
e.g I'm Claudia Polley with the news headlines.
In dictionary.cambridge.org the headline is
b) A line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper, or the main
points of the news that are broadcast on television or radio:
e.g The news of his death was splashed in headlines across all the newspapers.
e.g The eight o'clock headlines.

We can read in en.oxforddictionaries.com the next definition regarding a headline : a
heading at the top of an article or page in a newspaper or magazine /a front -page headline.
The headlines: The most important items of news in a newspaper or a broadcast news
bulletin.

In oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com headline is:
[Countable ] the title of a newspaper article printed in large letters, especially at the top of
the front page .

In Collocations Dictionary
The headlines [plural] a short summary of the most important items of news, read at the
beginning of a news programme on the radio or television .

2) In journalism: title for an article in a newspaper, sometimes one line, sometimes
more, set in larger and bolder type than the body of the article and indicating the subject
matter or content of the article. The headline is the text indicating the nature of the article
or news story below it. It’s a brief summary of what is the article about.
All these definitions have common points that prove us that headline are an
important part of the news; it is at the top of the front page and indicates the subject matter
or conten t of the article.

14

1.2.1. The importance of headlines in newspapers
The headline of a newspaper is very important. Its purpose is to quickly and briefly
draw attention to the story , it depends on the impact that the title produce to encourage the
reader to discover more by reading the story. A headline function is to tell in capsule form
what the story is all about; to grade news as to importance; and to make the page look
attractive. Headlines can have the follow structure (Cruz, C. J -B., 199 7: 222, 223, 224):
Flush Left – Both lines are flushed to the left margin. This is also true with an
one‐line headline. This has to no exact count for the units in each line.
Example:
Family planning
Seminar held
Dropline or Step Form ‐ the first line is flushed left while the second line is indented.
It may consist of two or three, and sometimes four lines of types of the same length,
somewhat less than a column in width , so that the first line is flushed to the left, the second
centred , and the third flushed to the right.
Example:
Local boy scouts
bleed for a cause
Inverted Pyramid – The self‐explanatory. Each of the three or four lines in this head is
successively shorter than the line above it.
Example:
School launches
Kalinisan
drive
Hanging Indention – The first line is flushed left. This is followed by two indented
parallel lines.
Example:
Chief editor
bats for more
Development news
Crossline or Barline – The simplest form, it is a single line that runs across the allotted
space. If it runs across the page, it is called a streamer.

15
Example:
Local students join Clean drive
Boxed headline – For emphasis or art’s sake, some headlines are boxed:
a) Full box ‐

b) Half box – Campus paper catalyst for national
Development
c) Quarter box – Local students, teachers bleed for a cause
today
Jump Story Headline – A jump story (a story continued on another page) has a
headline of its own. This may be the same as the original headline or it may be a word, phrase
or group of words followed by a series of dots.

1.2.2 . Online press
Nowadays, the new technology also brings the birth of the online press that is closer
to the reader. He takes his Smartphone, he starts his research and all the information he needs
is at his disposal. We no longer need the dog that brings the newspaper to his master, as in
American movies. We connect to the internet or a Wi -Fi network and news appear.
Here are several links to representative titles of the British press, and especially the
English press. In addition to the periodicity, the newspapers or magazines cited here are
accompanied by a simple descriptive word of the category or theme, to which they can be
picked up (national press or main broa dcasting region, sport, economy ).
The Daily Telegraph (national daily) https:// www.telegraph.co.uk/
The Guardian (national daily) https://www.theguardian.com/international
The Independent (national newspaper) https://www.independe nt.co.uk/
The Times (national daily) https://www.thetimes.co.uk/
The Daily Mail (national daily) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
The Sun (national daily – tabloid) https://www.thesun.co.uk/
The Daily Mirror (national daily – tabloid) https://www.mirror.co.uk/
The Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/
The Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland daily) https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
The Economist (weekly international news) https://www.economist.com/ Community involvement
Science camp theme

16
The Financial Times (national and international daily newspaper for e conomic and financial
information) https://www.ft.com/

1.2.3 . The semantics of headlines
Newspapers titles use a lot of distinctive vocabulary that we can notice only by taking
a brief look. The producers of titles generally prefer to use short, unusual and shocking words,
whose sound is more dramatic than ordinary English words. The vocabular y of the title is
characterized as unusual and sensational. Monosyllabic verbs and nouns are use instead of
longer ones in headlines. We can find ex for former , job for appointment , win for victory and
OK for accept .
The editors choose the most effective and emphatic words and avoid any word that
might weaken the effect of the title on their readers.
Bucaria (2004: 43) points out that the use of loaded words and phrases, which have a
strong connotation and therefore attract attention and that is one of the most important
characteristics of titles. In terms of vocabulary, titles are considered rich because lexical
words, which convey meaning, are preserv ed, while grammatical words are usually omitted
because they are semantically empty. Title writers use the euphemistic meaning of words, to
attract the readers and to make them read all the news.
McCarthy and O'Dell (2001:200 ) and Swan (2005:212 -21) provid e a list of the words
that are typical in newspaper headlines and their counterparts in common language:
Newspaper word Meaning Example
allege make an accusation WOMAN ALLEGES
UNFAIR TREATMENT
bar (n. ,v. ) exclude , forbid NEW BAR ON
IMMIGRANTS
HOTEL BARS FOOTBALL
FANS
clash ( n. , v.) dispute , quarrel PM IN CLASH OVER
ARMS SALES
STUDENTS CLASH WITH
POLICE
leap big increase LEAP IN IMPORTS
Key important KEY WITNESS VANISHES

17
oust remove , replace MODERATES OUSTED IN
UNION ELECTIONS
pledge (n. ,v.) promise GOVERNMENT GIVES
PLEDGE ON JOBLESS
probe ( n. ,v.) investigation CALL FOR STUDENT
DRUG PROBE PLOICE
PROBE RACING
SCANDAL
riddle mystery MISSING ENVOY
RIDDLE, WOMAN HELD
slate criticise PM SLATES BISHOP
Table 6: Typical words in newspaper headlines
As we can see the language of headlines is different from the ordinary language,
because headline producers use special vocabulary that is unusual outside headlines in order
to grab the readers' attention and curiosity.

18
Chapter 2 Idioms in English Vocabulary
2.1. Idiom concepts and definitions
The richness of a language also becomes palpable when we take a close look at the
idioms and idioms used in them since idioms are primarily associated with the cultural spirit.
Idioms derive from the culture of a nation and from everyday life. We can get a better
understand ing a culture by investigating idioms because they have a cultural past behind
them. They help language learners to better understand the culture, to p enetrate the customs
and way of life of a particular people, and get a deeper insight into their story.
According to en.oxforddictionaries.com idiom derives from the Greek lexeme idioma
which means proper or peculiar to one’s self . The following general entry is given:
„Late 16th century: from French idiome, or via late Latin from Greek idiōma „private
property, peculiar phraseology”, from idiousthai „make one's own”, from idios „own,
private”.
1) A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of
the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light ).
a) A form of expression natural to a language, person, or group of people.
„He had a feeling for phras e and idiom”.
b) The dialect of a people or part of a country.
2) Characteristic mode of expression in music or art.
„They were both working in a neo -impressionist idiom”.
An even more precise entry is given in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
English :
1) a group of words that has a special meaning that is different from the ordinary meaning of
each separed word . For example, under the weather is an idiom meaning ill.
2) formal or technical: a style of expression in writing, speech , or music that is typical of a
particular group of people.
Collinsdictionnary.com describe s idioms like a group of words which have
a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning
of each word separately .
In this dictionary we find synonyms of idiom s in different senses:
a) in the sense of phrase: Proverbs and idioms may become worn with over-use.
b) in the sense of language: I was irritated by his use of archaic idiom.

19
And also other synonyms for the idiom in the sense of expression (a particular phrase
used conventionally to express something) , of jargon (specialized language relating to a
particular subject, profession, or group) , of locution (a word, phrase, or expression).
We can also find the same definition in dictionary.cambridge.org : a group of words in
a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is diff erent from the meanings of each word
on its own. For example, to have bitten off more than you can chew is an idiom
that means you have tried to do something which is too difficult for you .
As we can see from these definitions and examples an idiom is a group of words that
can be difficult to understand for a non -native speaker, but very easy to use for a native
speaker, maybe without being aware what co nstitutes them.
Idioms have a hidden meaning, a figurative meaning which is different from the literal
meaning of the idiom's individual elements. Let’s take these idioms kick the bucket or spill the
beans . If we are not English or studied English we can’t understand their meaning. But,
searching in an idioms dictionary we find that the first one means to die and the second one to
tell people secret information .
In English in Use (O’Dell, F., McCarthy, M., 2010: 14) from Cambridge University
Press we see that the best way to understand an idiom is to see it in context. If someone says:
This tin opener’s driving me around the bend! I think I’ll throw it away and get a new one
next time I am in town , then the context and common sense tell us that drive around the bend
means something different from driving a car round a curve on the road . The context tells us
that the tin opener do es not work properly and that it has an effect on the person using it.

2.2. Types of idioms
Form Example Meaning
verb + object/complement
(and/or adverbial) kill two birds with one
stone produce two useful results by
just doing the action
prepositional phrase in the blink of an eye in an extremely short time
compound a bone of contention something which people argue
and disagree over
simile (as + adjective + as, or
like + noun)
Similes are expressions that
compare two things; they are as dry as a bone very dry indeed

20
used to make spoken and
written English more colourful
and comparisons more
powerful.
binomial (word + and +
word)
* type of idiom in which two
words are joined by a
conjunction (linking word),
usually and. The order of the
two words is fixed. rough and ready

black and white crude and lacking
sophistication
separate and clear
trinomial (word + word + and
+ word) cool, calm and collected relaxed, in control, not nervous
whole phrase or sentence to cut a long story short to tell the main points, but not
all the fine details
Proverbs are short sentences
which refer to something more
people have experienced and
which give advice and
warnings. Like idioms their
form is fixed and it is not
always possible to guess the
mean ing from looking at the
individual words in the
proverb. Every cloud has a silver
lining.

There is something good in
every bad situation.
Euphemisms are a type of
idiom used to avoid saying
words which may offend or be
considered unpleasant. be six feet under be dead
Clichés and fixed statements
A cliché is a comment that is
often used in certain common, Look on the bright side. Try to see something good in a
bad situation.

21
everyday situations. It is a
comment that most people are
familiar with and that is
therefore not original. Clichés
are often used in everyday
conversation and they are also
frequently played with in
advertising slogans and
newspaper headlines.
Other languages
English language includes also
many words from other
languages. Most of these
idiomatic expressions come
from Latin or French. status quo
de facto

crème de la crème
C’est la vie! the present situation
existing but not officially
agreed

very best
when something unpleasant
happens and you have to
accept
Table 7: Types of idioms
Source: English in Use – Cambridge University Press

2.3. Idioms classification
As expressed in the Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms (McCarthy, M.,
2002: vi) by Cambridge University Press, idioms are a bright and interesting part of English.
They are generally utilized as a part of a wide range of language, casual and formal, spoken
and written. What's more, idioms generally have a more forceful meaning than non -idiomatic
expressions. Idiomatic sayings may likewise recommend a specific state of mind of the
individual utilizing them. The Dictionary of Idioms incorporates the implications of
expressions, as well as cases in the light of sentences from the Cambridge International
Corpus . Altogether, there are fifteen types of idioms recognized as theme panels appearing
towards the end of the dictionary as it takes after:

Anger
My friend flies off the handle at the slightest thing . He reacts in very angry way
when something or someone says or does.

22
Pull yourself together , man! – Calm down.
Why are you so bent out of shape ? – Why are you so upset?

Business
A single person who runs a business is a sole trader . – A person that owns and
operates a business alone.
You close down a business/ go out of business . – I is said about a company that
stops doing business permanently, because it has failed.

Dishonesty
He is a snake in the grass! – Someone who pretends to be your friend while secretly
doing things to harm you.
That barefaced liar stole my watch and said he'd found it! – Someone who lies
easily, with a total lack of shame.

Happiness and Sadness
Was your sister pleased about getting that job? Pleased? She was on cloud nine. –
Feeling pleasure and happiness.
She felt on top of the world that morning. – In a very good mood because things are
going very well for her.

Health
I'm feeling under the weather . – I'm feeling sick.
I must have caught a cold on my camping holiday. – A minor illness that blocks my
nose and makes me cough

Helping
Lend a hand to your mother in the kitchen? – Help your mother in the kitchen.
John is always willing to pitch in and help with any housework that needs doing. –
To join in (with someone) to help out (with some task).

Intelligence and Stupidity
You can't fool my mother. She's a sharp cookie ! – Someone who is not easily fooled
or deceived.

23
Some smart alec interrupted the game claiming that the answers were incorrect! –
An annoying self -assertive person who tries to show off how clever they are.

Interest and Boredom
Tell me about your first day at the new job. I’ m all ears ! – To listen attentively or
eagerly what one has to say.
I’ve been kicking my heels here for an hour, waiting for the passport office to open.
– have nothing to do while you are waiting for something.

Liking and Not Liking
She's alive and well and living it up in the Bahamas. – She has an exciting a very
enjoyable time.
He seriously rubbed me the wrong way . – I did not like him at all.

Money
I'm sick of paying rent in this town because it costs an arm and a leg! – It costs a lot
of money.
My uncle struck it rich developing an app that synchronizes business data. – He
became suddenly rich.

Power and Authority
If you need help, ask Ann – she’s running the show! –She is the leader, who is in
control of a group of people doing something.
She’s a woman who can twist men around her little finger . – She is able to persuade
someone to do anything you want, usually because they like you so much .

Remembering and Forgetting
My friend has a memory like an elephant, so ask him what Joe’s phone number is. –
My friend has an exceptionally memory.
His name is on the tip of my tongue . Just give me a minute, I’ll remember it. – I am
close to being remembered.

24
Speaking and Conversation
My leaps are sealed. – Something that you say to tell someone that you will not tell
anyone what they have just told you.
Has the cat got your tongue ? – Something that you tell to someone when you are
annoyed because they will not speak.

Success and Failure Understanding
I'm riding high on the news that I got into my first choice school! – to be very
successful
That mechanic turned out to be a dead duck . He didn't even know how to change my
oil. -A person (or thing) that is useless (or hopeless).
Jim doesn’t have a clue about Jane’s disappearance. – To have no information about
something.

Understanding
My sister thinks she can maintain his social life after she has kids. She doesn’t have
a clue ! – She has no knowledge about this.
I’ll teach him how to use the design program – he’ll get the hang of it after a while.
– He’ll learn to do something.

2.3.1. A semantic classification of idioms
There is no doubt that meaning is the most important factor when it comes to the
semantic properties of idioms. The figurative sense is the fundamental characteristic of idioms
because it helps to determine if a fixed expression is an idiom or not.
a. According to Fernando (1996 : 33), idioms can be grouped into three sub -classes:
pure idioms, semi -idioms and literal idioms .
Pure Idioms
Pure idioms are non -compositional expressions that are impervious to any lexical,
semantic or morphological changes as it results in a loss of their unitary meaning. A classic
example of a pure idiom is to kick the bucket as it is a semantically opaque and lexically fixed
expression. It means to die . The combination of these characteristics places pure idioms at the
top of the scale of idiomaticity. Others examples of pure idioms: spill the beans, has nothing
to do with the beans , but it means to tell peopl e secret information ; to burn one’s boat , it
means to make retreat impossible.

25

Figurative Idioms
Figurative idioms also have a non -compositional meaning but there is a more plausible
link between their literal and figurative senses than pure idioms. For example, the underlying
sense of futility in the phrase to carry coals to Newcastle is comprehensib le by placing the
action in a literal context. In the following example: Exporting pine to Scandinavia seems like
carrying coals to Newcastle the idiom means to take thinks to a place where they already
abound ; The teacher told the students to hold their horses , to have patience ; At breakfast, I
ordered a cup of joe, a cup of coffee; Ann thinks that this homework is a piece of cake , so she
thinks that it is very easy.

Semi -Idioms
Semi -idioms comprise of at least one literal and one figurative component, which
gives them an overall partially compositional meaning. The presence of a literal element
makes them both the most interpretable and least idiomatic of all three categories. An
example of a semi -idiom is to cost an arm and a leg with the verb element, to cost , preserving
its literal sense when used in this idiomatic expression. For example: I’d love to buy a Porche ,
but they cost an arm and a leg . It means that a Porche is extre mely expensive . Or: He is
always trying to pass the buck and I’m sick of it , which means he is trying to pass
responsibility ; The moment she got to know the ropes , there was no stopping her. It means
that she knows how a particular job or task should be done .
The large majority of idiom constituents also operate as independent lexical items in
the lexicon. There are, however, a very limited number of idioms that contain non -words, also
referred to as unique sublexical items by Gouws (1991: 87), which occur only in
phraseological constructions. Some examples of non -words in English include amok (to run
amok), cropper (to come a cropper) .

b. According to Jennifer Seidl and W. McMordie, idioms may be classified into
informal and formal idioms , description that we can find in dictionaries:
Informal Idioms , such as:
a mug’s game: a task or activity that is foolish, dangerous, or will not result in a positive
outcome.
alive and kicking: active and healthy.
at sixes and sevens : in a confused, badly organized, or difficult situation.

26
by the book: according rules or regulations.
catch it: to receive a punishment or reprimand.
face the music : to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done.
fly off the handle : to react in a very angry way to something that someone says or does.
for my money: in my opinion.
forty winks : a short sleep during the day.
mum's the word: used for telling someone to keep something secret.
mutton dressed (up) as lamb: used for describing someone, especially a woman, who is
dressed in a way that is more suitable for a younger person .
on the mend : getting better after an illness or after a difficult period.
over the hill : no longer young and therefore unable to do things that you could do in the past.
play cat and mouse : to try to defeat someone by tricking that person into making a mistake so
that you have an advantage over them.
sleep like a log: to experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly.

Formal Idioms , such as:
as regards : on the topic of.
in the first instance: as the first part of a series of actions.
on either/every hand: on all/ both sides, in all directions.
on production of: Upon showing or presenting something.
root and branch: utterly, completely.
come/turn up trumps : to achieve success, especially in the face of adversity.
cook someone's goose : to prevent someone’s plans from succeeding.
daylight robbery : a situation in which one is charged an exorbitant price.
do a bunk: to leave hurriedly, or abscond, especially under illegal or suspicious
circumstances.

Verbal Idioms , such as:
break even: if a person or business breaks even, they neither make a profit nor lose money.
burn the midnight oil: to work until very late at night.
call a halt : to end something, often after a formal or official decision .
fetch and carry: to do small simple jobs such as bringing them things that they want.
find fault : to criticize someone or something, often after deliberately looking for mistakes .
fit like a glove: to be the perfect shape or size for someone.

27
going places : starting to be successful.
go through the roof : to increase quickly to a very high level.
go to the dogs : not to be as good as it was in the past .
hear a pin drop: used for emphasizing how quiet a place is when no one is talking .
hit the bottle: to start drinking a lot of alcohol.
jog someone's memory : to make someone remember something
know better: used for saying that someone should not make a mistake, because they are
sensible or experienced.
let the cat out of the bag : to tell something someone that was intended to be a secret.
live from hand to mouth : to have just enough money or food to stay alive.
look a gift horse in the mouth : used for saying that if you are given something good, you
should not complain about it or try to find that are wrong with it.
groan inwardly : feel dismayed by something but remain silent.
have a soft spot for : to like someone a lot, even if they do not d eserve it.
This chapter deals with idioms, with their definition and their concept, but also with
the types of idioms and their classification from a semantic point of view. Although it is
difficult to draw a clear line, an idiom can be a word , a group of word or phrase distinctive to
a specific language and have a meaning that is not obvious from the common meaning of the
words employed.

28
Chapter 3 Interpretation and Analysis of the Idioms Used
in Headlines
3.1. Headlines selection and analysis
This subchapter represents the contribution that I provide to the domain of English
idioms used in newspaper headlines. I have presented and explained the theoretical
considerations on headlines and idioms in the first two chapters . My corpus consists in
analys ing the idioms from a semantic point of view in the most important online English
newspapers published within the last five months.

Daily Mail
Corpus of Headlines
1) FBI's use of facial recognition software in criminal investigations is under fire again after
report finds the bureau IGNORED six suggestions to help it meet privacy and accuracy
standards
• FBI been using facial recognition since 2015 and concerns were rais ed in 2016
• It searches a database of 30 million images for potential criminal suspects
• A report made six recommendations to meet privacy and accuracy standards
• A follow -up report released this week claims they have all been ignored by FBI
• FBI is also trialling the use of Amazon's controversial Rekognition software

As we have already seen the newspaper headline is a short summary of the whole
article. In this article from Daily Mail the idiom that we can observe is under fire . This
expression has two meanings if we look in Cambridge Dictionary . The first meaning is being
attacked with guns and the second one being attacked with severe criticism . In this headline the
meaning is that FBI's use of facial recognition software in criminal investigations is being
criticised .
According to Theidioms.com the literal use of the phrase has been in use since the
early 1700s. Originally , it meant to be in the range of enemy fire . As guns were not as
advanced as they are today, you could see the spark when a gun was fired. It could explain the
literal meaning of the phrase.
The idiomatic expression has been used since the 1800s. The figurative is less difficult
to discern. It can be said that questions or accusations are fired at them in much the same way

29
as bullets out of a gun. The phrase has a negative connotation as compl iments are rarely fired
at someone. We can only guess where it originated as no definitive information is available.
Today it is used more commonly in its figurative form.
In this daily paper we have another idiom follow -up. If you follow up something tha t
has been said, suggested, or discovered, you try to find out more about it or take action about
it.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ sciencetech/article -6939473/FBIs -use-facial -recognition -software -fire-
AGAIN.html

2) Now even in -flight maps will try to sell you something: Hotel and restaurant offers will pop
up on screen showing plane moving slowly across a globe
• Panasonic believes change could engage people and make the flight go faster
• First in -flight maps were int roduced in 1982 by a company called Airshow Inc
• The technology has barely changed since and most simply show a graphic

This text represents the latest headlines of the newspaper on line Daily mail . If we sta rt
reading the news we can obviously observe the presence of idioms. From a semantic point of
view we have here an informal idiom at the beginning of the new s pop up , which means to
appear suddenly . If we read the text, we can deduce the meaning of this idiom because we
have another word tha t helps us to understand it on screen .

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article -6941577/Hotel -restaurant -offers -pop-flight -screens.html

3) Horror of domestic abuse victim left 'unreco gnisable' to family after jealous ex -boyfriend
smashed a TV over her head then brutally beat her to a pulp as she begged for her life
• Abbie Brydon has recalled the moment her ex -boyfriend brutally attacked her
• Scott Hughes struck her in the back of her sku ll using a 32 inch television
• She suffered fractured eye sockets, nasal fractures and badly bruised face
• He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and will serve 14 years in jail

Daily mail shocks with his headline, with a news from local press. We find out the
atrocity of an ex -boyfriend reading this title. Beat her to a pulp describe s the situation of a

30
women which is hit repeatedly until she is badly injured. This informal idiom is used to show
the reader the gravity of this incident , to get his attention and to make him read the entire article.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article -6942011/Manchester -woman -recalls -moment –
thought -ex-boyfriend -kill-her.html

Independe nt.ie
Corpus of Headlines
1) Tony Ward: 'Jones vs Schmidt battle is like Mourinho vs Guardiola – and it will go down to
the wire'

According to Theidioms.com the phrase : go down to the wire originated in horse
racing, where a wire was hung above the finish line to help determine the winner. Races that
were very close were described as coming down to the wire. An early occurrence of the
phrase can be found in the Scribner’s Magazine in July 18 89, in an article titled “How the
Derby Was Won”.
Down to the wire describes a situation in which the outcome is not known or
decided until the very last moment. The term down to the wire once had a fairly literal
meaning. This idiom is used to describe the tense situation in the competition .

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six -nations/tony -ward -jones -vs-schmidt -battle-is-like-mourinho -vs-
guardiola -and-it-will-go-down -to-the-wire-37775226.html

2) 'The best is yet to come for the Rossies' – Paddy Joe Burke believes Cunningham's men are
set for even greater days this year

There is no clear indication of when this popular idiom was used for the first time.
However, it has gained traction since the song “The best is yet to come” was recorder by
Tony Bennet in 1958. The word yet means up to and including now. Thus, the phrase means
that the best has not come but it will.
The best is yet to come is used to describe a situation that is happening now which will
be surpassed by something better in the future . The idiom is related to time.

31
https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic -games /gaelic -football/the -best-is-yet-to-come -for-the-rossies -paddy –
joe-burke -believes -cunninghams -men-are-set-for-even -greater -days-this-year-38226367.html

The sun
Corpus of Headlines
1) ROLLING IN THE DOUGH
Inside Adele and Simon Konecki’s £140million divorce as they announce split
The singer and her husband announced they were splitting yesterday after tying the knot in 2016

This simple headline is used to describe the situation of a very famous singer. We are
told that she is rolling in the dough which means that she is having large amounts of money to
spend.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/8903502/inside -adele -simon -konecki -divorce/

2) GAME OVER
McDonald’s fans brand Monopoly game a ‘scam’ as its ‘harder than last year to win’
Fans have taken to Twitter to blast the chain after they failed to win any prizes even after
collecting scores of game pieces

We use this expression to say that something will come to an end, and in a way that
is unsatisfactory or unsuccessful. This idiom summarizes the entire article by making the
reader understand that the described situation is considered hopeless or irreversi ble, that it
arrived to the end .

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8865810/mcdonalds -fans-monopoly -game -scam -harder -win-last-year/

3) ON THE LINE Theresa May marshals race as she faces Tory grassroots revolt over Brexit
The PM faces a no -confidence vote from a local Conservative association for the first time

This paper headline reports that Theresa May is on the line , but she organizes the
race even if she faces the popular Brexit revolt. If someone is on the line this means that he is
vulnerable, at risk. This is the situation of Theresa May according to The Sun.

32
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8901439/theresa -may-tries-to-nail-down -a-finish -as-a-grassroots –
rebellion -looms -over-brexit/

4) BUMPY RIDE Woman’s life saved after a roller coaster ride led to tangerine -sized brain
tumour discovery
Molly White, 21, discovered the Collosus at Thorpe Park has slightly shifted a cancer mass
hidden deep in the middle of her brain, triggering the tumour symptoms

Starting off with an idiom, with a bumpy ride , in this daily paper, it is reported that a
women life was saved. This bumpy ride describes the difficult time that she suffered when she
discovered his tumour.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8901865/womans -life-saved -after-a-rollercoaster -ride/

BBC News
Corpus of headlines
1) Police attacked at 'out-of-hand' party in Levenshulme
Police officers responding to complaints of noise and drunken behaviour at an "out -of-hand"
party were attacked with missiles.

This headline news reports that the police was attacked at out-of-hand when they
wanted to end a party. If a situation is out of hand , then things got out of control. This is the
situation that we can understand reading the headline from BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk -england -manchester -47997168

2) David Attenborough climate change TV show a 'call to arms'

The first meaning of this idiom is a command to report for active military duty .
According to Collins dictionary the origin of this phrase date from 1840 -1850. But BBC
News uses call to arms describe in this headline something that makes people want to take
action and get involved in an attempt to deal with a bad situation. It is a figurative utilisation
of this idiom.

33
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment -arts-47988337

3) ENA: The elite French school that trains presidents
For France's intellectual crème de la crème a place at the elite École Nationale
d'Administration (ENA) is coveted above all others.

To describe this headline news the journalist uses a French word crème de la crème
which describes the best person from a group, the best of the best. The term can be applied to
all domains to designate something of superior quality. In this case it is the French elite of
École Nationale d'Administration (ENA).

https://www.bbc.com/news/worl d-europe -47991257

The Guardian
Corpus of headlines
1) Out of sight, out of mind : I despair at how we treat our elderly
We go about our own lives as if ageing will never happen to us, but older people are a
reminder that it will

The proverb in the heading is a manipulated form of out of sight, out of mind ,
establishing an abstract of the editor ial. It is used to summarize the point in the paragraph, but
also to predict what is to follow. This proverb is used for saying that when y ou do not see or
hear about something, you do not think about it, when someone cannot be seen, it is easy to
forget it, in this case our elderly.

https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2019/jan/06/out -of-sight -out-of-mind -i-despair -at-how-we-
treat-our-elderly

2) Continental Europe braced for 'potentially dangerous' heatwave
High pressure pulling hot air northward from Africa will send temperatures soaring

The Guardian reports the heat wave and advises us to prepare
physically or mentally for it, to brace for this shock, this imminent impact.

34
https://www.theguardian.com/world/201 9/jun/21/continental -europe -braced -for-potentially -dangerous -heatwave

3) On the frontline : why has environmental journalism become so dangerous?

This headline starts with an idiom on the front line which describes the
the leading position of the environmental journalism.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2019/jun/21/on -the-frontline -why-has-environmental -journalism –
become -so-dangerous

The Economist
Corpus of headlines
1) Flat out useful
An airless, puncture -proof car tyre takes to the road
High -tech wheels

Flat out is an expression used to describe one of three things, depending on the
context:
a) Doing something as hard or as quickly as we can: e.g. I worked flat out to finish the
assignment.
b) Doing something without hesitating or any second thought: I flat -out disagree with your
view.
c) Lying down completely stretched out: After winning the race, I w as exhausted and
collapsed flat -out on the ground.
In this case, it is the first use, depending on the context; because it must act quickly in
this situation of puncture -proof car.

https://www.economist.com/science -and-technology/2019/06/15/an -airless -puncture -proof -car-tyre-takes -to-the-
road

2) South Africa ’s youngsters are let down by a lousy education system

35
The Economist describes the lousy education system of young people in South Africa.
We discover that they are let down , which means they are disappointed that their education
system is not doing what they expected to do.

https://www.economist.com/special -report/2019/04/25/south -africas -youngsters -are-let-down -by-a-lousy –
education -system?FEATURE_ARTICLES_V1=0

3) When pigs don’t fly
UBS faces a China backlash because of a quip about pigs
What some see as anti -foreign sentiment is probably a linguistic misunderstanding

The phrase when pigs fly (alternatively, pigs might fly) is a figure of speech so
hyperbolic that it describes an impossibility. The implication of such a phrase is that the
circumstances in question will never occur.
This headline uses a negative form of when pigs fly , and in the headline we find also
the explanation that it is probably a linguistic misunderstanding.

https://www.economist.c om/finance -and-economics/2019/06/22/ubs -faces -a-china -backlash -because -of-a-quip-
about -pigs

The Financial
Corpus of headlines
Danske Bank pulls out of Russia, Baltics after money -laundering backlash

From the Financial we find out that Danske Bank withdraws from Russia and Baltic
States after a wave of money laundering. We have here pull out, which means that Danske
Bank leaves or is no longer involved in business from Russia and Baltics.

https://www.finchannel.com/business/banksandservices/77034 -danske -bank -pulls -out-of-russia -baltics -after-
money -laundering -backlash

The Financial Times
Corpus of headlines
H2O should ring alarm bells on global liquidity

36

If we say that alarm bells are ringing , we mean that people are starting to feel worried
and suspicious . We can be sure reading this headline that something
that makes us feel something unpleasant or dangerous is going to happen .

https://www.ft.com/companies

3.2. Remarks
The newspaper headlines analyzed in this paper include idioms used informally. They
are used at the begining of the phrase to attract attention and guide the reader throughout the
article. There is no typology of the news in which these idioms are used. In our approach, we
found idiom in political, science, business, sports, local, environment, health, weather ,
entertainment &arts, education, world news, finance and economic news , showbiz or opinion.
Out of the 2 1 idioms found in newspaper headlines , only one belongs to the official
language, but this idiom belongs to another language, French , crème de la crème . 15 idioms
are phrases used informally, and 6 of these idioms are verbs. The table below shows the
typology of idioms in the newspaper s consulted :
No Date
Headlin
e Idiom Type of Idiom Meaning Type of
News
1 April
19 2019 be under
fire
a fallow
up Phrase
Informal

Verbal idiom Being attacked with severe
criticism
A further action connected with
something that happened before Science

Science
2 April
202019 pop up Informal
Verbal idiom To appear or happen, especially
suddenly or unexpectedly Science
3 April
20
2019 beat
(someone)
to a pulp
Informal
Verbal idiom To hit someone repeatedly until
they are badly injured Local
4 Februar
y 2 go down
to the wire Phrase
Informal A situation where the outcome
is not decided until the very Sport

37
2019 end
5 June 17
2019 The best is
yet to
come Phrase
Informal Whatever is happening now
will be surpassed by
something better in the future
Sport
6 April
20 2019 Rolling in
dough Phrase
Informal Exceptionally wealthy; having lar
ge amounts of money to spend Showbiz
7 April
15 2019 Game over Phrase
Informal Something will come to an end,
and in a way that is unsatisfactory
or unsuccessful Money
8 April
19 2019 On the
line Phrase
Informal At risk, vulnerable
Political
Brexit
9 April
20 2019 Bumpy
ride Phrase
Informal Difficult time Health
News
10 April
20 2019 Out of
hand Phrase
Informal Beyong control Local
11 April
19 2019 Call to
arms Phrase
Informal Something that makes people
want to take action and get
involved in an attempt to deal
with a bad situation Entertainm
ent&
Arts
12 April
21 2019 Crème
de la
crème Other
languages
From
French
Formal Of a person or a thing, the very
best of a similar group or type Europe
13 January
5 2019 Out of
sight, out
of mind
Phrase
mainly
spoken Used for saying that when you do
not see or hear about something,
you do not think about it Opinion
14 June 21
2019 Braced for Phrase
Informal

To physically or mentally
prepare oneself for something,
typically something that is
imminent, in an attempt to limit aNews
World
Weather

38
ny adverse impact.
To prepare for the shock .
15 June 21
2019 On the
front line Phrase
Informal
In the leading position of some
effort or movement. Environme
nt
16 June 15
2019 Flat out Phrase
Informal As fast as possible . Science and
technology
17 April
25 2019 Are l et
down Informal
Verbal
idiom To make someone fell
disappointed or less hopeful Education
18 June 22
2019 Pigs fly Phrase
mainly
spoken Used for saying that something
is completely impossible Finance and
economics
19 Februar
y 2019 Pull out Informal
Verbal
idiom To stop being involved in an
activity, event, or situation Business
20 June 24
2019 Alarm
bells ring Phrase Warning Business
Table 8: Types of Idioms used in Front Page Headline s

39
Conclusions

This approach on idioms includes three chapters. The first chapter was devoted to a
presentation of the major British newspapers, but also to the definition and characteristics of
newspaper headlines . The second chapter deals with idioms, their definition, their typology
and their characteristics from a semantic point of view. The third chapter analyzes idioms of
newspaper headlines in the last five months.
We have seen that the British press abound in newspapers. There are daily, weekly ,
monthly , newspapers that appear only on Saturdays, and magazines. The news abounds, the
headlines are very interesting and attract the attention of the reader and make him read the
whole news. On the other hand the idioms, these expressions, these phrases , these groups of
words make a language original and sometimes difficult to understand by a non -native
speaker.
By browsing through the online journals for the last five months, one can quickly
observe that newspaper headlines abound in idiomatic expressions. Whe ther these papers are
daily, weekly, monthly or magazine, the presence of idioms cannot be disputed. What is
interesting to observe is that e very type of news has idioms : culture, science, environment ,
local, political, world news , sports, finance and economics or weather.
In the th ird chapter, for our analysis, we have twenty newspaper headlines from the
last five months. The newspapers are numerous and different: Daily Mail, The Sun,
Independent.ie, BBC News, The Guardian, The Economist, The Financial and The Financial
Times. We have observed that m ost of the idioms are informal, used in a figurative form. We
have phrases or verbal idioms whose meaning can be understood i n the context presented in
the newspaper headlines. Most of idiom s appear at the beginning of the headline to make the
article interesting for the reader, more eye-catching and attractive .

40
Bibliography

Bucaria, Chiava. Lexical and Structural Ambiguity in Humorous Headlines " MA Thesis ”.
2004. Youngstown State University

Cruz, C. J -B., Basic Corpus Journalism , Rex Book Store, Inc, 1997. Print

Fernando, C. Idioms and Idiomacity . London: Penguin Books, 1996. Print

Gouws, Rufus H. Toward a Lexicon -based Lexicography. Dictionaries. 1991.13: 75 -90

Leah, Claudia. Idioms – Grammaticality and Figurativeness. University of Oradea ,
claulh26@yahoo.com

McCarthy, M. Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms , Cambridge University Press ,
1998. Print

McCarthy ,M. and O'Dell, F. English Vocabularuy in use . 2001. Cambridge University Press

McGraw -Hill. Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs . © 2002 by the McGraw –
Hill Companies, Inc.

O’Dell, F., McCarthy, M., English Idioms in use , Cambridge University Press, 2010 . Print

Seidl , J., W. McMordie. English Idioms . London: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print

Swan, M. Practical English Usage . 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005 . Print

Journal of Literature, Languages and Linguistics www.iiste.org ISSN 2422 -8435 An
International Peer -reviewed Journal Vol.25, 2016

41
Corpus of web references
a. Dictionnaries

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/headline

www.collinsdictionary.com

https://www.macmillandictionary.com

https://dictionary.cambridge.org

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com

https://www.smart -words.org/quotes -sayings/idioms -meaning.html

https://www.ef.com/wwen/english -resources/english -idioms/

Theidioms.com

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved

b. Newspapers

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article -6939473/FBIs -use-facial -recognition –
software -fire-AGAIN.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article -6941577/Hotel -restaurant -offers -pop-flight –
screens.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article -6942011/Manchester -woman -recalls -moment –
thought -ex-boyfriend -kill-her.html

42
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six -nations/tony -ward -jones -vs-schmidt -battle -is-
like-mourinho -vs-guardiola -and-it-will-go-down -to-the-wire-37775226.html

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic -games/gaelic -football/the -best-is-yet-to-come -for-
the-rossies -paddy -joe-burke -believes -cunninghams -men-are-set-for-even -greater -days-this-
year-38226367.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/8903502/inside -adele -simon -konecki -divorce/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8865810/mcdonalds -fans-monopoly -game -scam -harder –
win-last-year/

https ://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8901439/theresa -may-tries-to-nail-down -a-finish -as-a-
grassroots -rebellion -looms -over-brexit/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/ 8901865/womans -life-saved -after-a-rollercoaster -ride/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk -england -manchester -47997168

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment -arts-47988337

https://www.bbc.com/news/world -europe -47991257

https://www.theguardian.com/global/commentisfree/2019/jan/06/out -of-sight -out-of-mind -i-
despair -at-how-we-treat-our-elderly

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/21/continental -europe -braced -for-potentially –
dangerous -heatwave

.https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2019/jun/21/on -the-frontline -why-has-
environmental -journalism -become -so-dangerous

https://www.economist.com/science -and-technology/2019/06/15/an -airless -puncture -proof –
car-tyre-takes -to-the-road

43

https://www.economist.com/special -report/2019/04/25/south -africas -youngsters -are-let-down –
by-a-lousy -education -system?FEATURE_ARTICLES_V1=0

https://www.economist.com/finance -and-economics/2019/06/22/ubs -faces -a-china -backlash –
because -of-a-quip-about -pigs

https://www.finchannel.com/business/banksandservices/77034 -danske -bank -pulls -out-of-
russi a-baltics -after-money -laundering -backlash

https://www.ispeakspokespoken.com/journaux -anglais/

http://pecas.free.fr/Presse.htm

https://angleterre.org.uk/civi/presse -anglaise.htm

http://www.pressexplorer.com/presse_an glaise.html