A proverb is a short and wise saying with a deep meaning. Proverbs are usually based on common sense. It is also not uncommon to find the same proverb among people of different countries. The proverbs or sayings are passed from generation to generation. Like idioms, they too enrich the language. Here is a list of the most common proverbs with their meanings.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole means exaggeration. In a hyperbole things are described as being bigger or smaller than they really are.

Metonymy

The word metonymy means ‘substitution of name’. An object may have several attributes. Metonymy involves the substitution of one of these attributes for the name of the object itself. For instance, we make use of metonymy when we use ‘crown’ for monarch or monarchy. Other examples are given below:

Antithesis

Here one idea or word is set against another for the sake of emphasis.

Allegory

An allegory is a long story with a moral. In an allegory characters are moral qualities or abstract ideas personified and the incidents have a spiritual meaning.

A figure of speech is a unique way of saying something. It is a form of expression that intentionally deviates from the conventional mode of speech for the sake of being more powerful, pleasing or distinct. It is wrong to think that only stylists employ figures of speech to enrich their writing. They are, in fact a part of everyday speech. When we say ‘the story is as old as the hills’ or ‘as tall as a tree’, we use figures of speech. There are several figures of speech and for the sake of convenience they are broadly classified into six.

Fill in the blanks with suitable phrasal verbs

1.    The police ——————— the violent mob.

a)    Broke up
b)    Broke down
c)    Broke with
d)    Broke in