从形和义的角度来看，英汉习语的异同大体表现在以下四个方面：
A.英汉习语形义全同
这类习语为数少，例如：
Barking dogs do not bite.吠犬不咬人。
Who is contented, enjoys.知足者常乐。
Misfortunes never come singly.祸不单行。
It is harder to change human nature than to change rivers and mountains.江山难改，本性难移。
Like father, like son. 有其父必有其子。
B. 习语形义基本相同
这类习语比上面一类在数量上要多些，例如：
as light as a feather（or as thistle-down）轻如鸿毛
to take a load off one's mind如释重负
to run in the same groove; to cut from the same cloth.如出一辙
to make a beast of oneself形同禽兽
He that hath been bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope.一朝被蛇咬，十年怕草绳。
Shallow streams make most din.水深不响， 水响不深。
Money makes the mare go.有钱能使鬼推磨。
Reckless youth makes rueful age.少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。
