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phrase

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turn a phrase

To express something in very adept, elegant, and clever terms. Mr. Broadmoor is so cultivated and witty. Not only is he remarkably intelligent, but he is always able to turn a phrase most poignantly.

See also: phrase, turn

stock phrase

A well-known, overused phrase; a cliché. As this is a creative writing class, I don't want to see any stock phrases in your stories. Please rewrite this paragraph in your own words, instead of using stock phrases like "think outside the box."

See also: phrase, stock

turn of phrase

1. An expression. I understood what she was saying until she used a turn of phrase that I had never heard.

2. An eloquent style of writing or speaking. That writer's turn of phrase has earned him many accolades and awards.

See also: of, phrase, turn

coin a phrase

Fig. to create a new expression that is worthy of being remembered and repeated. (Often jocular.) He is "worth his weight in feathers," to coin a phrase.

See also: coin, phrase

let me (just) say

 and just let me say

a phrase introducing something that the speaker thinks is important. Rachel: Let me say how pleased we all are with your efforts. Henry: Why, thank you very much. Bob: Just let me say that we're extremely pleased with your activity. Bill: Thanks loads. I did what I could.

See also: let, say

might as well

 and may as well

a phrase indicating that it is probably better to do something than not to do it. Bill: Should we try to get there for the first showing of the film? Jane: Might as well. Nothing else to do. Andy: May as well leave now. It doesn't matter if we arrive a little bit early. Jane: Why do we always have to be the first to arrive?

See also: might, well

to put it another way

 and put another way

a phrase introducing a restatement of what someone, usually the speaker, has just said. Father: You're still very young, Tom. To put it another way, you don't have any idea about what you're getting into. John: Could you go back to your own room now, Tom? I have to study. Put another way, get out of here! Tom: Okay, okay. Don't get your bowels in an uproar!

See also: another, put, way

you might as well (do something)

there is no reason you should not do something you may as well (do something) Since you have to wait, you might as well sit down and relax.

See also: might, well

to coin a phrase

something that you say before you use a phrase which sounds slightly silly He was, to coin a phrase, as sick as a parrot.

See also: coin, phrase

a turn of phrase

 

1. a way of saying something 'Significant other', meaning 'partner', now that's an interesting turn of phrase.

2. the ability to express yourself well She has a nice turn of phrase which should serve her well in journalism.

See also: of, phrase, turn

turn of phrase

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.

See also: of, phrase, turn