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contradiction in terms

noun phrase

Definition of contradiction in terms

: a phrase that contains words which have very different or opposite meanings

I think "working vacation" is a contradiction in terms.

Word by Word Definitions

contradiction play

: act or an instance of contradicting
: a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other

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term play terms

: a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject
: expression of a specified kind
: a limited or definite extent of time

: to apply a term to : call, name

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