ZOONYMIC PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN ENGLISH: SEMANTICS, CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND LEXICOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION

This article explores English zoonymic phraseological units-idiomatic expressions containing animal names-and examines their semantic, cultural, and cognitive dimensions. The study analyzes how these units are presented in general and specialized explanatory dictionaries, focusing on lexicographic structure, figurative meaning, etymology, usage, and cultural commentary. The analysis highlights the metaphorical projection of human qualities onto animals, revealing how these expressions reflect societal values, historical perceptions, and cultural thinking. The research demonstrates that zoonymic idioms are not only linguistic artifacts but also mirrors of collective cognition and cultural consciousness.