Semantic classification

Victor Vinogradov’s classification system was based on the semantic principle. His classification was founded on the degree of semantic cohesion between the components of a PU (its motivation). V.V. Vinogradov developed some points first advanced by the Swiss linguist Charles Bally. This classification was further developed by Nikolai Shanskii.

Units with a partially transferred meaning show the weakest cohesion between their components. The more distant the meaning of a PU from the current meaning of its constituent parts, the greater is its degree of semantic cohesion.

V. Vinogradov classifies phraseological units into three classes:

Ø phraseological combinations/collocations

Ø phraseological unities

Ø phraseological fusions.

Phraseological combinations are word-groups with a partially changed meaning. They are clearly motivated, that is, the meaning of the unit can be easily deduced from the meanings of its constituents,

e.g. to be at one's wits' end,

to be good at something,

to have a bite,

to come to a sticky end

Phraseological unities are word-groups with a completely changed meaning. The meaning of the unit does not correspond to the meanings of its constituent parts. They are motivated units. The meaning of the whole unit can be deduced from the meanings of the constituent parts. The metaphor, on which the shift of meaning is based, is clear and transparent,

e.g. to stick to one's guns ‒ to be true to one's views or convictions. It is connected with the image is that of a gunner or gun crew who do not desert their guns even if a battle seems lost;

to sit on the fence ‒ in discussion, politics, etc. refrain from committing oneself to either side;

catch/clutch at a straw/straws ‒ when in extreme danger, avail oneself of even the slightest chance of rescue;

to lose one's head ‒ to be at a loss about what to do; to be out of one's mind);

to lose one's heart to smb. ‒ to fall in love.

Phraseological fusions are word-groups with a completely changed meaning but in contrast to the unities, they are demotivated. Their meaning cannot be deduced from the meanings of the constituent parts. The metaphor, on which the shift of meaning was based, has lost its clarity and is obscure,

e.g. to come a cropper – to come to disaster;

at sixes and sevens – in confusion or in disagreement;

to set one's cap at smb. – to try and attract a man (about girls and women)

to pull one’s leg;

to kick the bucket;

red tape.

Let's examine how some fusions originated.