Colloquialism

A colloquialism is a word, phrase, or grammatical construction characteristic of or appropriate for ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing. It reflects the language used in everyday settings and typically isn't considered suitable for academic or professional contexts. Colloquialisms often vary geographically and evolve over time, adding a sense of immediacy and authenticity to communication within specific communities or groups. They are often informal, and their meaning might not always be immediately clear to someone outside of their cultural context. Their use demonstrates a relaxed and familiar style of communication.

Colloquialism meaning with examples

• Instead of 'I am going to eat now', she said, 'I'm gonna eat now'. The use of 'gonna' is a common colloquialism used to signify intent in an informal way. The friends all understood the familiarity of the phrasing and the casual tone that it set. Colloquialisms help establish a friendly, informal atmosphere in their conversation.
• When discussing the problem with his friends, the man remarked, 'That was a piece of cake!'. Here, 'piece of cake' is a colloquialism that refers to an easily completed task, which helped portray his experience. The shared understanding of this idiom created a connection between friends which is common with colloquial speech. The informal nature of it set the right tone for the conversation.
• The seasoned detectives were discussing a suspect when one said 'He's a real hot potato!'. Using 'hot potato' is a colloquial way of referring to a problematic or sensitive issue. The shorthand language, understood only by those in the know, created a level of understanding and camaraderie between them, appropriate for the circumstance. The informal phrase helped streamline the conversation.
• In a casual chat with her family, the young woman told them, 'I'm feeling a bit under the weather'. This is a familiar colloquial phrase indicating that she was feeling slightly ill. Her family immediately understood the nuances of her remark because of the use of colloquialism. It was an easy way to convey her message within the comforts of her home.