words of one syllable, in

Idioms  

1. In simple terms, as in I don't understand financial derivatives—can you explain them in words of one syllable? [Colloquial; 1920s]

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Example Sentences

His sons were to him as words of one syllable in straight lines; his daughter was written in compound and involved sentences, as her mother had been before her.

From Project Gutenberg

The first poetess I can recollect is Mrs. Barbauld, with whose works I became acquainted before those of any other author, male or female, when I was learning to spell words of one syllable in her story-books for children.

From Project Gutenberg

I think that having learned our letters we should read the best that is in literature, and not be forever repeating our a-b-abs, and words of one syllable, in the fourth or fifth classes, sitting on the lowest and foremost form all our lives.

From Project Gutenberg

When the various orators had talked themselves out, and the audiences had come back to the cinder-heap, Hal made his speech all over again, in words of one syllable, in the kind of pidgin-English which does duty in the camps.

From Project Gutenberg