The Clue
They're seldom taken literally (6 letter answer)
The Answer
IDIOMS
Tags
Notes
The answer IDIOMS is seen occasionally, appearing about once every 750 puzzles.
Related Clues
Argots
Dialects
Characteristic styles
Dialects of regions
Distinct styles
Everyday expressions
Regional dialects
Hurdles for language learners
Some dictionary entries
"Hands down" and "cold feet"
Subject in foreign language class
They trip up foreigners
Hot potatoes and cold fish?
Curry favor and crack a joke, e.g.
Eat crow and talk turkey, e.g.
See red, talk a blue streak, etc.
Definition
IDIOM as a noun:
1. (parlance, idiom) = a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
2. (dialect, idiom, accent) = the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people; "the immigrants spoke an odd dialect of English"; "he has a strong German accent"; "it has been said that a language is a dialect with an army and navy"
3. (artistic style, idiom) = the style of a particular artist or school or movement; "an imaginative orchestral idiom"
4. (idiom, idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase, phrase) = an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up