Help! I need couples of examples

[kimxydsy]

Recently, I learned some phrases like "open the Pandora's box" and "the apple of the eye". It's very native and impressive to use the former one to describe the root and beginning of evil and mistake, and emphasize something's significance with the latter one.

So, I want to learn more "phrases" like the two above.
1. the name of such "phrases" -- idiom, proverb, or something else?
2. please give me more common, specific examples which I can make my essay more impressive and concise.
3. by the way, is there any problem in the words I write above, you are welcome to pick it out.

Finally, thank you very much!

 

[5jj]

Actually, using too many expressions like this often marks you out as a non-native speaker who has learnt them by heart, or as a native speaker who thinks only in clichés.

If you do use them, it's important to get them right. We open a Pandora's box, and we speak of someone as 'the apple of [STRIKE]the [/STRIKE]my/your/John's/etc eye'.

 

[kimxydsy]

Oh, I get what you mean. I'll pay attention to its availability and properness in my writting. Besides, I will also limit its number to 1 or 2 times in an article.

And I'll really appreciate it if you can list a few common expressions like that.

 

[Barb_D]

Here you go: English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions - UsingEnglish.com

 

[kimxydsy]

Thank you! That's all what I want. :up: