idiom
/ˈɪdiəm/ noun B1- A manner of speaking, a mode of expression peculiar to a language, language family, or group of people. · In English, idiom requires the indefinite article in a phrase such as "she's an engineer", whereas in Spanish, idiom forbids it.· Some of the usage prescriptions improved clarity and were kept; others that yielded discordant violations of idiom were eventually revised.
- A programming construct or phraseology that is characteristic of the language.
- A language or language variety; specifically, a restricted dialect used in a given historical period, context, etc. · In the idiom of the day, they were sutlers, although today they'd probably be called vendors.
- A phrasal expression that is unreliably understood literally, requiring pre-established cultural or domain-specific context to infer its intended meaning. · She often spoke in idioms, pining for salad days and complaining about pots calling the kettle black.
- An artistic style (for example, in art, architecture, or music); an instance of such a style. · the idiom of the expressionists
Plural idioms
From the library
“On y va,” (coming) exclaimed Peppino, who from frequenting the house of Signor Pastrini understood French perfectly in all its idioms.
“And I,” replied the visitor, changing his idiom, “know enough of English to keep up the conversation.
Idioms are an interpreter's quicksand.
However, he frequently found American English idioms to be incredibly confusing in daily conversations.
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