What are some common cultural references in idioms and collocations in English?

Idioms And Collocations Questions



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What are some common cultural references in idioms and collocations in English?

Some common cultural references in idioms and collocations in English include:

1. "Bite the bullet" - Refers to facing a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination, originating from the practice of having soldiers bite on a bullet during surgery to endure the pain.

2. "Break the ice" - Means to initiate a conversation or activity to make people feel more comfortable, derived from the idea of breaking the ice that forms on a frozen body of water to allow for navigation.

3. "Kick the bucket" - A euphemism for dying, believed to have originated from the act of a person standing on a bucket with a noose around their neck, then kicking the bucket away to commit suicide.

4. "The ball is in your court" - Indicates that it is someone's turn or responsibility to take action, originating from tennis where the ball is hit to the opponent's side of the court.

5. "The elephant in the room" - Refers to an obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but avoids discussing, symbolizing the presence of a large and noticeable elephant in a small room.

These are just a few examples, and there are numerous other idioms and collocations in English that draw upon cultural references.