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CHOICE Review

A commendable new title in the field of idiom dictionaries. Simplicity and clarity characterize each entry's presentation of the idiom, with samples of its uses. The introductory material is short and straightforward, but there is no real discussion of structural and semantic problems. Additional help includes indicating when caution should be exercised in making use of an idiom; indicating whether an idiom is informal, slang, or the like; giving other forms of the idiom; and giving cross-references to related idioms. It does not have the elaborately scholarly presentation of the introductions and entries in the Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English (v.1, CH, Jul '76; v.2, 1983). NTC does not give the source of the text for its samples. It includes the different types of idioms found in the Oxford volumes and lists many individual idioms not found in Oxford. It is especially helpful with verb/preposition combinations not found in Oxford. In spite of a very useful ``Phrase-finder Index'' and the care taken with the arrangement, it is sometimes difficult to find the idiom one is after. The Oxford and the Longman Dictionary of English Idioms (1979) are still first choice, but Spears is a good supplement. All levels.-J.B. Ladley, Bowdoin College

Booklist Review

427 English language Idioms Dictionaries / English language Dictionaries [OCLC] 86-63996 The cover of this dictionary describes it as a ``Most Practical Reference to the Everyday Expressions of Contemporary American English,'' and that is an accurate description. Its content, organization, and language provide an exceptionally clear approach to American idiomatic speech. Some 8,000 contemporary expressions are included, such as beside oneself, lose ground, shed light on something, and walk all over someone. Entries are in boldface type, listed alphabetically by the whole phrase, not by keyword. Access by keyword is provided through a 100-page phrase-finder index. Even with common words such as not or head that have multiple references, the index with its boldface headings and clear type is very easy to use.In the main list the meaning of the phrase is given first, followed by two examples of usage in italic type. Alternate meanings are numbered, and each is illustrated with its own examples. Additional and related forms are included following and or also. Cross-references link similar entries, such as those where the major difference is word order. Care is taken to define senses that refer to either people or things, but not to both, by including in parentheses the phrase ``with something'' or ``with someone.'' Phrases that should be used with caution are marked with an asterisk and are labeled to indicate appropriate usage, such as ``cliche,'' ``folksy,'' ``formal,'' ``informal,'' ``slang,'' and ``proverb.''The author and editor are both teachers specializing in second-language acquisition, and the dictionary contains many phrases that were identified by their students as being problematical. In the preface, which like the entire work is written in very understandable language, the authors describe the intended audience as ``people who are learning how to understand idiomatic English, the hearing impaired, and . . . all speakers of English who want to know more about the language.'' It also should prove useful in high school English classes. This dictionary is an inexpensive volume that should serve its purpose very well indeed.