Idioms make various literary genres colorful and interesting. Though their use is not very evident in conversational English, knowledge about them is a plus factor especially for students.
But what is an idiom? An idiom is a combination of words with a special meaning that cannot be inferred from its separate parts. The English language is rich in idioms. Featured in this article are idioms with names of places of historical and biblical significance.
To Fiddle while Rome Burns
It means to occupy oneself with trifles during a crisis. Legend has it that Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
To Cross the Rubicon
This idiom means to do something irrevocable. In ancient Rome, generals were guilty of treason if they failed their armies before crossing the Rubicon. Caesar took the decision to cross the Rubicon with his army to seize power.
Sodom and Gomorrha
This idiom is synonymous to centre of vice. (Genesis XVII, 19)
To Part Like the Red Sea
This expression means to make way for someone; divide, separate in a very noticeable way so as to allow someone to go through a crowd. In the Old Testament, we are told how Moses led the Israelites away from their Egyptian enemies to freedom. He stretched out his hand over the Red Sea and a great wind blew all night and divided the waters.
To Meet Your Waterloo
This idiom means to suffer a final and decisive defeat. The phrase has been taken from Napoleon's defeat by Wellington and BlĪcker at the Battle of Waterloo. It is usually applied to an unexpected defeat after a string of success.
