idiom noun

/ˈɪd.i.əm/ n

Definition

•

[C] a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word understood on its own

To "have bitten off more than you can chew" is an idiom that means you have tried to do something which is too difficult for you.

•

[C or U] formal the style of expression in writing, speech or music that is typical of a particular period, person or group

Both operas are very much in the modern idiom.

(Definition of idiom noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Synonyms and related words:

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to worry

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