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Noun

turn of phrase - a distinctive spoken or written expression; "John's succinct turn of phrase persuaded her that it would not be a good idea"

expressive style, style - a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period; "all the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper"

conceit - a witty or ingenious turn of phrase; "he could always come up with some inspired off-the-wall conceit"

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References in periodicals archive

The PM may have a nice turn of phrase, but beneath the bluster he is a reckless chancer.

Moderates massacred; VOICE OF THE

WE ALL know that Claudio Ranieri likes a turn of phrase. He's one of the great entertainers at press conferences.

Mitrovic comments show Ranieri is still a tinker

Her spare, evocative language and lithe turn of phrase make each phrase quietly extraordinary.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Her spare, evocative language and lithe turn of phrase are quietly extraordinary.

Evening In Paradise by Lucia Berlin; bookclub with heather suttie Do you have a book review or would you like me to review a book you've enjoyed? Please get in touch at DRBOOKCLUB@dailyrecord.co.uk or tweet @blondi_SOS

Gary Lineker was among the BBC panel who laughed at Delph's unusual turn of phrase in referring to his wife as a "machine".

Fabian Delph sparks laughter in the BBC studio after he refers to his wife as a "machine" after England's victory; The Manchester City star travelled back to the UK ahead of the game to be present for the birth of his daughter

With fabulously drawn characters, crackling dialogue, real emotional heft and a wonderfuly acerbic turn of phrase. Great fun.

Books; Recipe Staying in Your ultimate home comforts

Full-color photographs illustrate every page and turn of phrase, such as "E is for Everglades - By boat, kayak, or canoe, exploring these waters is fun to do" and "N is for Nesting Turtle - Hatchlings are born up on the beach, then down to the ocean they must reach".

F is for Florida

Victor's happy-go-lucky acceptance of his own failures creates an amusing, appealing and naively honest narrative voice, expressing, for example, the thrill of inventing an apt turn of phrase to tell Marie that 'next year, my heart will be written in braille' (Le Coeur en Braille is the novel's original French title).

Ruter, Pascal. Translated by Emma Mandley: A Friend in the Dark

He replied with an unexpected turn of phrase: 'Some people think that-excuse my expression here-that in order to be good Catholics we have to be like rabbits.''

Pope Francis and family planning

And way back then, guitarist Mick Jones said about his songwriting partnership: "Joe's got a fantastic turn of phrase. When it comes down to the tunes, I nick 'em!" Was that modesty, or honesty?

THERE was, sadly, far too much [...]

Movie star Jack Elam had an unusual turn of phrase in westerns

What the Sam Hill was he on about?

One tries one's best to keep up with the constant changes in their vernacular and even to pick up and use some of their patois, but their turn of phrase so often lurches in unexpected directions that confusion is rife.

Still trying to communicate