Cliches/Idioms Located in Art: Find Them, Explain Them, Share Them

Enlarge this art image howsoever you can so you can see each element within it clearly (I say this after eye surgery when my vision is far from perfect — though it is already on its way to being vastly better).

Then, after looking at the art image, think about all the cliches/idioms within it — the cliches/idioms we use without considering their origins or their true meanings. There are at least 10 there, embedded in this piece of art. It’s actually a fun activity for adults and one they can share with children. Students can do it with teachers. It’s clever for English language learners for whom statements of the sort described here are hard to understand as they don’t translate well for the most part.

This interest in cliches/idioms all started long ago — when I used a particular phrase and someone called me out for it, suggesting that its meaning was not what I thought. (Another blog; another story) Then, I read about the phrase “bang for the buck” which has — according to some — a sexual meaning, namely how much sex can you get for $1.00. Then recently, I used the phrase “scarce as hens’ teeth” and wondered whether hens have any teeth (I assume no without googling). Bottom line, we use cliches and idioms all the time.

I have eradicated several from my own language use once I understood their meaning. In addition to the $ idiom above, I have deleted “Sticks and stones….” It isn’t true: words can hurt you and the idiom is plain wrong-headed. And, my newest adult book, co-authored with Ed Wang, is titled Mending Education due out in Sept. 2024 from Teachers College Press. That got me thinking about the phrases with the term “mend” or “mending” or “mended” and they are plentiful. And the title of a book that inspires me still is titled: Mended by the Muse by Sophia Richman. What a fabulous title — as is the book.

This art is more than a fun activity. It is also involves thinking about the words we use and their plentiful meaning. And it messages that we need to use our words carefully, lest they hurt like an arrow (hint). And, it is important too to distinguish between false or impossible dreams that will only leave one sad (shooting for the moon hint) and actual dreams that can become a reality and we can get those dreams even if we have stars in our eyes (hint).

So, share what you find. Let’s create a list and then we can turn this into an exercise that many can use and we’ll have an answer key. Finding real answers in real life should be so easy; they are far too hidden from view (hint).

And with that, I’ll just zip it (hint) and leave the rest to you all.

Enjoy!