Abstract

    English idioms are a very important part of English language culture and also among the most difficult part for English learners. English idioms reflect rich cultural information and unique cultural characteristics of English-speaking countries in terms of geography, religion, living custom, history and the other aspects. Mastering English idioms accurately can help us to better understand cultural differences and cultural connotation in English vocabulary, and use English more correctly. The value of individualism is the main value of British society. Individualism has been influencing most fields of politics, society and economics, even the character of the nation. It emphasizes the spirits of private enterprise, self-development and individual freedom.
This paper analyzes the origin of English idioms while introducing British individualism from seven aspects: humanism, equalitarianism, liberalism, money worship, individual privacy, individual competition, and individual connation. Then it illustrates that English idioms reflect the development of British individualism and points out that the British idioms are not only a part of British culture, but a mirror of it. 

Key words : English idioms; individualism; culture; British

摘  要

英语成语是英语的一个十分重要组成部分，也是英语学习者的学习难点。它反映了丰富的文化信息和英语国家独特的地理，历史，宗教信仰，生活习俗和其他反面的文化特色。准确掌握英语成语可以帮助我们理解英语的文化差异和文化内涵，更准确的使用英语。个人主义价值观是英国社会的主要价值观，它影响了英国的政治、社会、经济甚至民族特征等许多领域。它强调个人进取心、个人自由和自我发展。
本文简述了英语成语的来源，并从人本主义、平等主义、自由主义、拜金主义、个人隐私、个人竞争、个人创新七个方面介绍了英国个人主义价值观。然后阐明英语成语反映出应该个人主义价值观的发展并指出英国成语不仅是英国文化的一部分，也是英国文化的一面镜子。通过对其的研究，希望对理解英国个人主义价值观以及英国社会价值观有所帮助。

关键词: 英国成语；个人主义；文化；英国