Morphological structure of a word. Classification of Morphemes

Structural class-ion

Phras. units may be defined as specific word-groups functioning as word-equivalents to definite classes of words. They have the part-of-speech meaning. Comparing the free word-group (e.g. “a long day”) and the phras. unit (e.g. “in the long run”) we observe that in the free word-group the noun “day” and the adjective “long” preserve a part of speech meaning proper to this word taken in isolation. The whole group is viewed as composed of two independent units (A+N). In the phr.unit “in the long run” the part-of-speech meaning belongs to the group as a single whole. ‘In the long run’ is grammatically equivalent to single adverbs (finally, firstly, etc.). so, we distinguish set-expressions that are:

• 
  nominal phrases functioning like nouns:
  

skeleton in the cupboard (семейная тайна), Baker’s dozen (чертова дюжина);

• 
  verbal phrases functioning like verbs:
  

to take the bull by the horn (действовать решительно), to put a finger into every pie (соваться во все дела).

• 
  adjectival phrases functioning kike adjectives:
  

cool as a cucumber (хладнокровный), poor as a church mouse (бедный, как церковная мышь).

• 
  adverbial phrases functioning like adverbs:
  

before you can say “Jack Robinson” (мгновенно), by hook or by crook (так или иначе).

• 
  conjunctional and prepositional phrases: As long as, as soon as, in spite of.
  
• 
  interjectional phrases (междометия): like hell (черта с два), my foot (держи карман шире).
  

Etimological class-ion

The sources of phras. units are different spheres of life:
Sea life: Tell that to the Marines – вздор, ври больше; In deep waters – в беде.
Fish and fishing: to fish in troubled wayers – ловить рыбку в мутной воде.
Sport: the ball is with you – слово за вами, to have the ball at one’s feet – быть хозяином положения.
Army: to march time – топтаться на месте, бездействовать; to musk one’s butteries – скрывать враждебное настроение.
Hunting: to turn tail – обратиться в бегство, дать стрекача.
Animals’ life: crocodile teares, it rains cats and dogs.
Theatre: to play to the gallery – искать дешевой популярности.
Medicine: to sweeten the pill – подсластить лекарство.
Technic: to get up steam – развести пары.
Agriculture: to get smb’s goat – разозлить к.-л.
Historical events or customs: peeping Tom – любопытный.
Trade: to talk shop – говорить по делу, best-seller – ходкий товар.