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
And why in the world would anyone composing after the Second World War reëmbrace the long-irrelevant late-Romantic idiom of Puccini and Strauss, with its lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and powerful melodies?
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Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
The Western musical tradition is mostly sidelined in favor of kuduro, gqom, batida, and sounds too free of familiar musical idioms to be easily categorized.
—
Will Lynch,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.
—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Like the idiom, their coffee shop hopes to bring surprising offerings to the coffee scene.
—
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idiom
Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
The Western musical tradition is mostly sidelined in favor of kuduro, gqom, batida, and sounds too free of familiar musical idioms to be easily categorized.
—
Will Lynch,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.
—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Like the idiom, their coffee shop hopes to bring surprising offerings to the coffee scene.
—
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idiom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiom
Noun
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The phrase was written in white paint with a star surrounded by a circle next to it.
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One of her Today colleagues even stitched the phrase onto a cushion for her.
Noun
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Now in its 38th edition, the annual issue is a record of the highest expressions of craft, ingenuity, creativity, pleasure, and wonder across 15 categories and from around the globe.
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Cancer season brings focus to your creative expression, dating life, hobbies and self-expression.
Cite this Entry
“Idiom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiom. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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