Idiomatic expressions and conceptual metaphors constitute essential dimensions of the modern English lexicon, serving as linguistic tools through which speakers encode abstract meaning, cultural knowledge, and evaluative stance. This study explores the interaction between idiomaticity and conceptual metaphors in contemporary English, focusing on how metaphorical mappings structure idioms and how idiomatic usage reinforces entrenched conceptual frameworks. Using a qualitative conceptual methodology, the research analyzes recurring metaphorical patterns in idiomatic expressions related to emotions, cognition, and social relationships. The findings reveal that idiomaticity in modern English is heavily grounded in embodied metaphorical domains, enabling speakers to conceptualize abstract experiences through concrete imagery. The paper argues that understanding the metaphor–idiom relationship enriches lexical analysis and provides insights into cognitive structuring in everyday communication.

Idiomatic expressions, conceptual metaphors, metaphorical mappings

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