May 28, 2009

Idiots guide to idioms

I have heard that idioms are the most difficult part of learning a new language. Based on some of the reading I do, I wholy agree.

It is NOT "chafing at the bit." How that was missed by both the author and any presumed editors is beyond my understanding.

3 comments:

Jim Donahue said...

If you experience chafing at the bit, I recommend Gold Bond Powder.

Grammarian@mindspring.com said...

That's for chafing at the butt.

sgreerpitt said...

A number of internet sources (including the Cambridge Dictionary) suggest that chafing at the bit is interchangeable with chomping/champing at the bit. Although at least one source suggested that while chomping/champing connotates eagerness, chafing connotes eagerness and irritation.

http://www.baldheretic.com/2006/03/30/idiomaticidiotic

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=bit*7+0&dict=I

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chafe+at+the+bit