Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

turn of phrase

Idioms  

  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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2025

His henchman Stephen Miller does know how to produce a florid turn of phrase, doesn't he?

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2025

And economist Larry Summers, in an indelible turn of phrase, writes that “egg price excitement” is particularly troubling as a potential leading indicator of wider inflation:

From Slate • Feb. 20, 2025

Until now Penelope had assumed this was merely a neat turn of phrase that authors used to show that someone was well and truly panicked.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.