A semantic analysis of Italian idioms. A description of the idiom is presented and its characteristics are listed (e.g., its fixed nature, invariability of its components, nonpassivization). Three semantic qualities of idioms are listed: (1) the constituent parts do not retain their independent meanings, (2) meaning is retained at the phrasal level, and (3) arbitrariness of meaning. It is pointed out that traditionally, idiomatic expressions are considered unanalyzable; however, by reference to cognitive theories of the metaphor, it is demonstrated that idioms are analyzable, particularly relating to three aspects of cognitive theory of metaphor: its conceptual nature, its cognitive function, and experiential motivation. A taxonomy of metaphor classes is presented, including many examples from Italian focusing on verbal idioms. (Copyright 1994, Sociological Abstracts, Inc., all rights reserved.) (M. Castillo in LLBA 1994, vol. 28, n. 5)