Are Proverbs different from Idioms?
Idioms, like Proverbs, are common sayings. However, they usually do not make sense at first sight and do not offer any advice. For example, to blow one’s own trumpet, which means to praise oneself or boast, is an idiom. It may be converted to a proverbial expression as follows: It is but a fool who blows his own trumpet or Don’t blow your own trumpet. There is no clear dividing line between idiomatic phrases and proverbial expressions. If and when an idiomatic phrase becomes widely popular, it may be regarded a proverb, e.g., Don’t put the cart before the horse.
