Diachronic classification by Larin investigated historical development of Phr.Units.

Based on etymological
principle. It reflects three consecutive stages a set expression passes through in its development. The
phraseological unites originates as a free word combinations . The second stage is metaphorical phrase. The
third stage is that of an idiom with lost motivation. So: one was used in direct, second - in figurative meaning, 3rd
– not motivated: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they are busy), white collar (people
worked in the offices), blue collar (worked at plants).

At the bottom of every idiom is a concrete image. At first idiom is a simple free phrase or phraseological
combination, the meaning of which is quite clear from the meaning of its components that reflects a definite social
practice. Later this concrete image becomes less noticeable as the custom or social act has disappeared but it’s not yet
forgotten. An idiom is when people forgot why it was meant. The motivation is lost but it’s used in this meaning.

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)
Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)

Diachronic classification of phraseological units by B. Larin:

1. Free word combination in direct meaning: the red tape (clerks used to show this tape to show that they
are busy
2. Free word combination in figurative meaning (metaphorical phrase): white collar (people worked in
the offices)
3. Free word combination in not motivated meaning(idiom): blue collar (worked at plants)