turn of phrase
turn of phrase — noun
1. a specific word or group of words that someone chooses to express an idea, espec
a specific word or group of words that someone chooses to express an idea, especially one that is noticeable, clever, or memorable.
Emma's speech was full of memorable turns of phrase that impressed the audience.
Omar used a clever turn of phrase, calling the disagreement 'a storm in a teacup'.
turn of phrase + present participle: 'calling ...'
The writer's unusual turn of phrase made the simple story feel fresh and exciting.
Nadia admired the speaker's elegant turn of phrase during the graduation ceremony.
- expression
more general; any fixed group of words, not necessarily clever or memorable
- wording
focuses on the exact choice of words rather than the cleverness of the expression
- idiom
a fixed expression whose meaning can't be guessed from the individual words, unlike 'turn of phrase' which can be original
- saying
a well-known phrase or proverb, whereas a turn of phrase may be invented on the spot
文法句型
a [adjective] turn of phrase
turn of phrase to describe something
用法筆記
Countable — you can have many different turns of phrase in a single speech or piece of writing.
常見錯誤
2. the natural skill or talent for expressing ideas clearly and effectively when sp
the natural skill or talent for expressing ideas clearly and effectively when speaking or writing, especially in a way that is pleasing or powerful.
The novelist is known for her brilliant turn of phrase in describing everyday life.
collocation: brilliant turn of phrase
Oliver has a natural turn of phrase that makes his emails a joy to read.
A good turn of phrase can turn a simple greeting into something warm and memorable.
Kwame's confident turn of phrase helped him win the school debate competition.
- eloquence
more formal, emphasises fluent and persuasive speech
- articulacy
focuses on the ability to express ideas clearly, less common in everyday use
- command of language
broader, includes vocabulary range and grammatical accuracy
- way with words
informal equivalent, very close in meaning
文法句型
have a ... turn of phrase
known for one's turn of phrase
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you do not say 'turn of phrases' when referring to a person's general ability. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to a single instance of a clever expression.