turn of phrase

1. A particular arrangement of words, as in I'd never heard that turn of phrase before, or An idiom can be described as a turn of phrase. This idiom alludes to the turning or shaping of objects (as on a lathe), a usage dating from the late 1600s.

Example Sentences

"He has got quite a neat turn of phrase that the King will appreciate."

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He has a memorable turn of phrase and rises to the occasion.

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For Ukrainians, it was a confusing turn of phrase.

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Chris Robinson, the actor who played Dr. Rick Webber on “General Hospital” and also introduced America to a classic turn of phrase in a commercial for cough syrup, has died of heart failure.

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He harks back to Verdi and the late 19th century but with his own unexpected turns of phrase.

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Related Words

• definition 
• explanation 
• interpretation 
• language 
• phrase 
• remark 
• speech 
• statement 
• style 
• term 
• voice 
• word