Irony refers to a situation where there is a contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens, or a statement that is the opposite of what is meant. There are different types of irony, including:
* Verbal irony: Saying something that is the opposite of what you mean, often with a sarcastic tone.
* Situational irony: When something unexpected or ironic happens.
* Dramatic irony: When the audience or reader knows something that the characters in a story do not.
Idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. They are often used to convey a particular meaning or feeling in a concise and colourful way. Examples of idioms include:
* "Kick the bucket" (meaning to die)
* "Spill the beans" (meaning to reveal a secret)
* "Once in a blue moon" (meaning very rarely)
Here's a simple way to distinguish them:
* Irony is about contrast between expectations and reality.
* Idioms are about figurative language and established expressions.
While they can sometimes be used together (for example, an ironic situation could be described using an idiom), they are fundamentally different concepts.