Idiomatic expressions containing the notion of animals and plants.

These idiomatic expressions have arisen on the basis of reflection of animal and plant elements of nature. The metaphoricity and idiomaticity of idiomatic expressions of this category, including their specific semantic and syntactic structure of parameters, is due to their largely usage. They are based on implicitly expressed in anthropocentrism as a manifestation of an ancient folk tradition, ascribing of certain traits of human nature to animals.

The image of the animals formed under the influence of different beliefs. So there might be two or even a few opinions on a particular animal [5, p. 44]. These idiomatic expressions characterize a person only positive or only negative, however, the most abundant reservoir of zoomorphism with a dual connotation. Idiomatic expressions with the names of animals that have a dual nature, characterizing man both positively and negatively are of special interest.

Thus, idiomatic expressions with positive connotation are represented by such animals and birds:

· the lamb (lamb) - as innocent as a lamb

· dove (pigeon) - as harmless as a dove

· hank (hawk) - as watchful as a hawk

Only negative human quality is marked by following animal names:

· hog, pig - behave like a hog

· as fat as a pig – very fat person

· snake – to be very mean person

· wolf - as greedy as a wolf

The most common zoomorphism in phraseological picture of the world are a cat, dog, horse, lion, bird, goose and others. These zoomorphism represent the positive and negative qualities of a person, that is why it is very important to percept the context of idiomatic expressions and their correct use in speech.

“Animals” theme can be represented by the following idiomatic expressions:

· To play cat and mouse - cheat, deceive.

· To have rats in the attic - not to think

· Rat-tat - loud sound

· The cock of the walk - the main person.

The study of idiomatic expressions with the concept of “plant” in lingo – cultural aspect allows to get general idea of ​​the diverse linguistic phenomena of a nation, as well as how the extralinguistic reality is reflected in the language.

Researchers pay special attention in motivational nominative fields expressively reflect the ethno-cultural and universal characteristics of the studied languages: religious and mythological origins of plant names, the similarity with the objects of household or parts of the body (human, animal, etc.). Idiomatic expressions with the concept of “plant” as a type of semantic vocabulary, incarnating certain descriptions of plants, reflect the spiritual world of people.

These idiomatic expressions function in the lexico-semantic system of language, where they execute not only nominative function but also pragmatic, evaluation, expressive and other functions, used by native speakers along with any in other words.

Semantic features of the idiomatic expressions with the component of “plant” are as follows:

· Idiomatic expressions with the positive connotation: the flower of nation - symbol of the nation, to live in clover - to live in wealth;

· Idiomatic expressions with the negative connotation: to let the grass grow under one's feet.

· Idiomatic expressions with the didactic connotation: an apple a day keeps the doctor away, every bean has its black, forbidden fruit is sweetest.

Idiomatic expressions containing the name of “plant”:

· For sour apples - quite(in negative constructions).

· To feed smb. on soft corn - to flatter, compliment to somebody.

· Between grass and hay - to be in youth age.

· Out of the wood - to disentangle from difficulty, be out of danger.

· Take in wood - to drink alcohol.

Idiomatic expressions with the element of colour.

In our study given the analysis of idiomatic expressions with the concept of colour, which lose their independent direct value within the idiomatic expressions.

There are colours that belong to certain countries and nations. The symbolism of colours - an ambiguous phenomenon, formed on the one hand the symbolism of colour objects carrier (conventionally it can be called a syntagm), on the other - a set of possible combinations, which include one or another colour.

Motives of colour category drawn from the most diverse areas of the surrounding world. Colour terms are based both on the traditional names of fruits and plants, and the names of animals, substances, beverages, place names, proper names, etc.

Colour terms, being adjectives can be combined with certain nouns to form a holistic concept that refers to, for example, human occupation and its membership of a particular social group.

White is the colour that indicates purity, cleanliness, holiness and neutrality in many cultures. It is the reflection of light. It indicates the abstract positive meaning of good, fine and worthy day. It is well-known that doctors work with white coats, brides traditionally wear white gowns. The majority of idiomatic expressions with the component “white” bear positive meaning:

· a white day - lucky day,

· a white lie - a lie without intention

· a white heart - a pure or innocent heart

The colour black is the colour of night. In dark night, people can’t see anything around them, in such situation, no matter whom you are, you will feel afraid and sad. So people all over the world wear black clothes to show their condolence to the dead. Besides, people use the colour black to indicate such derogatory sense as gloomy, angry, dark, difficult, etc. For instance, in English, the idiom “a black day” means an awful day. When we use the colour black to describe a person, we surely think there are certain shortcomings with him. In English there is the idiom “every bean has its black” which means nobody is perfect.

“Colour” idiomatic expressions:

· Once in a blue moon – rare;

· As white as a sheet – pale;

· To make the air blue – to swear;

· Black art – black magic.

Somatic idiomatic expressions

Functioning of somatic idiomatic expressions in the language associated with the natural comprehension of the people of the material world. Idiomatic expressions, which include the names of parts of the human body, can be subdivided into groups according to the parts of the human body - head, hands, feet, etc. These idiomatic expressions can be found in the description of a person's emotional state.

A large number of somatic idiomatic expressions are used to describe the process of performing an action. Many of them are associated with the gestures, postures, which are usually used in. Such idiomatic expressions can express a positive or negative assessment of the actions of human behavior.

The semantic aspects of body idiomatic expressions are no less important. They can express human emotions and feelings, traits of human character. These idiomatic expressions can acquire positive or negative connotations.

Body idioms can be very emotional, they can express emotions such as laughter, cry, moaning as well as delight, happiness, joy (carry sb of his feet, to rub one’s hands), love or passion (to win sb’s hand, to offer sb one’s hand). On the other hand, body idioms can display a strong resentment, desolation and hopelessness (My foot!, wring one’s hand) or feeling of exhaustion and tiredness (to be dead on one’s feet, sb’s legs are giving away). Some body idiomatic expressions are based on positive and negative features of human nature. The concept of laziness can be expressed by folding one’s hands, cowardice can be mocked at by an expression such as get cold feet, while bravery can be admired by to get oneself in hand. The ability to react quickly while being permanetly active can be highlighted by expressions such as think on one’s feet or be a firm hand. To show psychological stability, an idiom such as to find one’s feet or to be on one’s feet can be used. Similarly, special professional skills or experience can be rendered by somatisms such as be an old hand, a fresh hand or be all thumbs.