Chapter 10 of 10All chapters
Chapter 10 of 10
Using idioms well
Knowing when not to.
Good uses
Conversation, informal writing, and anywhere shared background is safe to assume. An idiom lands as warmth and shared understanding when it fits.
- One well-placed idiom beats three stacked together.
- Explaining an idiom you just used undoes the point of it.
Where to avoid
Legal text, specifications, safety instructions, and anything for an international or translated audience. Precision matters more than colour in all four.