as in phrase
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
the English idiom "how are you doing?" is our version of a greeting that in some other languages can be translated as "how are you going?"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of idiom
Among the surviving Romansh idioms, Sursilvan reigns in the upper Rhine Valley; Sutsilvan in the posterior Rhine Valley; Surmiran in the Albula Valley and Oberhalbstein; and Puter and Vallader in the Engadine.
—
Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Now, the phrase is often associated with quitting an addiction – but that wasn't the case when the first uses of the idiom started popping up in the late 19th century, according to Dave Wilton, the editor of WordOrigins.org.
—Natalie Escobar, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Though the idiom of abuse has changed, the critics are as hostile as ever, while their targets react only with curious torpor.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiom
Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Now, the phrase is often associated with quitting an addiction – but that wasn't the case when the first uses of the idiom started popping up in the late 19th century, according to Dave Wilton, the editor of WordOrigins.org.
—Natalie Escobar, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Though the idiom of abuse has changed, the critics are as hostile as ever, while their targets react only with curious torpor.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiom
Noun
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At some point, the phrase customer service was changed to customer experience.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Arrigo, instead, surly and withdrawn as always, mumbled those incomprehensible phrases of his—not that anyone paid him any attention, not even his wife.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The clip, which has amassed over 14 million views and nearly 3 million likes, shows the little girl, who was only 4 days old at the time, with a grumpy expression on her face as her brother leans in for the smooch.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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When Noma does a pop-up, the kitchen team immerses itself in the local flora, fauna, and culinary cultures to create a tasting menu that speaks not just to the restaurant’s style but is also an expression of the place the restaurant is taking up residency in.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idiom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiom. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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