Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small group of words that forms a meaningful unit within a clause or sentence: A "phrase" is a grammatical unit that does not contain a finite verb and its subject, but functions as a single part of speech (e.g., a noun phrase, a prepositional phrase).
   • A short, memorable expression or idiom: A "phrase" can be a common or idiomatic expression whose meaning is not literal or not derived from the individual words.
   • A short, distinct passage in music: In music, a "phrase" is a unit of musical meter, often a group of notes that feel complete or form a natural segment of a melody.

2. Verb:

   • To express something in a particular way using words: To "phrase" something means to choose and arrange words to convey a specific meaning or tone.
   • To divide music into distinct melodic or rhythmic units: To "phrase" a musical passage is to perform or notate it with appropriate phrasing, indicating its musical structure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The phrase "a red car" is a noun phrase.
  • "Break a leg" is a common phrase used to wish someone good luck.
  • The opening phrase of the symphony is very beautiful.

• Verb:

  • She carefully phrased her apology to avoid causing more offense.
  • The musician phrased the melody with great sensitivity.

Advanced Usage

• "To coin a phrase": Used ironically when using a very common or clichéd expression.
  • He was, to coin a phrase, as busy as a bee.
• "Turn of phrase": A particular or characteristic manner of expression.
  • I admire the author's clever turn of phrase.

Variants and Related Words

• Phrasal (adj): Relating to or consisting of a phrase.
  • A phrasal verb like "give up" consists of a verb and a particle.
• Phrasing (n): The way in which something is expressed in words; the division of music into phrases.
  • His careful phrasing made the speech very effective.

Synonyms

• Noun: Expression, saying, idiom, clause fragment, musical passage.
• Verb: Express, formulate, word, put, articulate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Phrase" itself is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs. The related term is "phrasal verb," which is a type of multi-word verb.)

Related Idioms

• In simple phrases: Using clear and straightforward language.
  • Could you explain the theory in simple phrases?
• As the phrase goes / To use a well-known phrase: Used to introduce a common saying.
  • It was, as the phrase goes, the calm before the storm.

Noun

1. dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence
2. an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
3. a short musical passage
4. an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

Verb

1. divide, combine, or mark into phrases
   • phrase a musical passage
2. put into words or an expression
   • He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees