ask for help

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by binhco

Thank you, but "A rolling stone gathers no moss" is said an idiom on "Idioms" under the category bar "Language Reference", on the left-hand side of the screen in this website (forum page),

Nevertheless, see here: A rolling stone gathers no moss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[binhco]

Originally Posted by Naamplao

Yes this could be considered an idiom...and frankly you could have found out that before asking the question by consulting that list.

To me a proverb is a wise saying...the meaning is clear and provokes thought.

for example this is a Chinese proverb that I like:

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

The meaning is clear and not hidden, at the same time makes you think of your life.

With an idiom the meaning is usually confusing to a non-native English speaker and sometimes to a native English speaker (though we can often figure them out)

I'll bet that watch cost him a pretty penny!

Cost him a pretty penny is an idiomatic expression meaning: is expensive

An expression is just a collection of words expressing a thought. Idiomatic expression and idiom mean the same thing. An idiomatic expression just uses more words to express the thought.

Thank you so much for your explanation, but I'm afraid I'm still confused. To my knowledge, A proverb is a quite popular idiom which expresses moral or/and ethical implication. So we also have a word "Proverbidiom" (Profile of T. E. Breitenbach and Studio Tour). Am I wrong?

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by binhco

Thank you so much for your explanation, but I'm afraid I'm still confused. To my knowledge, A proverb is a quite popular idiom which expresses moral or/and ethical implication. So we also have a word "Proverbidiom" (Profile of T. E. Breitenbach and Studio Tour). Am I wrong?

yes....you are wrong.

I will repeat myself....

An idiom is a confusing grouping of words that does not mean what they literally say

I broke my back working on this project
[I didn't literally break my back but I worked so hard it felt like I did]

I have half a mind to stop describing idioms.
[No....I have not lost my mind or half of it. The idiom - half a mind - means I am seriously thinking of doing something but haven't come to a final decision, yet.]

NOTE: Idioms are rarely more than 2-5 words in length!!!!!!!

A proverb is a saying and sometimes called an adage. They are NOT popular idioms!!!! Usually they are sentences...one or two of them perhaps and usually they are wise and thought provoking.
For example this is an English proverb:

A banker is someone who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, and who asks for it back when it starts to rain.

Occasionally there is crossover where a short proverb may be also considered an idiom.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. [ meaning - something you own is worth more than dreaming about having more.]

English is like that...many exceptions... so call it a proverb or idiom....it is your call.

A fable is usually a small story that has moral or/and ethical implications.
Aesop's fables are a good example

Finally, Proverbidiom, is not an English term. T. E. Breitenbach and Studio Tour is a company that creates art posters, making pictures that describe idioms and proverbs. Proverbidiom is not an English word. It is a made up marketing term.