Phraseology is a branch of lexicology studying phraseological units (set expressions, praseologisms, or idioms (in foreign linguistics). Phraseological units differ from free word-groups semantically and structurally: 1) they convey a single concept and their meaning is idiomatic, i.e. it is not a mere total of the meanings of their components 2) they are characterized by structural invariability (no word can be substituted for any component of a phraseological unit without destroying its sense (to have a bee in one’s bonnet (not cap or hat). 3) they are not created in speech but used as ready-made units. Unlike a word, a phraseological unit can be divided into separately structured elements and transformed syntactically
Кунин Classification:
1. Одновершинные (with one peak)
( one peak phraseological units, one form word, one notional )
- Ex.: to leave for good
- By heart
- At bay – быть в отчаянном положении
2. Phrasemes with the structure of subordinate or coordinate word combination.
- Ex.: a bitter pill to swallow
- All the world & his wife
3. Partly predicative
( a word + subordinate clause )
- Ex.: It was the last straw that broke the camels back
4. Verbal with (infinitive, passive)
- Ex.: to eat like a wolf
- The Rubicon is crossed
5. Phrasal units with a simple or complex sentence structure
- Ex.: There is a black sheep in every flock.
- It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back
Koonin: “Structural-semantic classification”.
1. Nominative
- A hard nut to crack
2. Nominative –communicative
- The ice is broken
3. Interjectional & modal
- (Emotions, feelings)
- Oh, my eye! (= Oh, my God!)
- As sure as eggs is eggs (просто, как 2х2)
4. Communicative (proverbs, sayings)
- There is no smoke without fire.
Nominative:
- Substantive: crocodile tears
- Adjective: as mad as a hatter, as cool as a cucumber
- Adverbial: by & by, to & fro
- Verbal: to live like a lord