What is the difference between idiom and idiomatic expression?

The terms "idiom" and "idiomatic expression" are often used interchangeably, and for practical purposes, they mean the same thing. However, there's a subtle difference:

* Idiom: This is the broader term. It refers to any expression that has a figurative meaning that differs from the literal meaning of the individual words. Examples include "kick the bucket" (meaning to die) or "spill the beans" (meaning to reveal a secret).

* Idiomatic expression: This is a more specific term, usually referring to a phrase or short sentence that has a figurative meaning. It's essentially a subset of idioms. Examples include "to be in the same boat" or "to go the extra mile."

Essentially, all idiomatic expressions are idioms, but not all idioms are idiomatic expressions.

Here's a table summarizing the difference:

| Feature | Idiom | Idiomatic Expression |

|---|---|---|

| Definition | Expression with figurative meaning | Specific phrase or sentence with figurative meaning |

| Specificity | Broad term | More specific term |

| Examples | "kick the bucket," "spill the beans," "raining cats and dogs" | "to be in the same boat," "to go the extra mile," "to see eye to eye" |

In everyday conversation, you can use either term and people will understand. However, if you want to be more precise, "idiom" is a more general term, while "idiomatic expression" refers to a specific type of idiom.