figure of speechˌfigure of ˈspeech noun [countable] 
Examples
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- He said he used the phrase as a figure of speech, and did not mean to imply she was a coward.
- A: It was a figure of speech, sir.
- And this, Marcy Lupino knew, was not a figure of speech.
- But how could you begin to verify the fact of reincarnation, except as a figure of speech?
- I found this word in the dictionary meant an obscure figure of speech.
- The word means an obscure figure of speech.
Longman Language Activatora word or group of words► word
a word or expression that is used in a different way from the normal meaning, to give you a picture in your mind · Are there any words in the passage that you don't understand?· Look up any words you don't know in a dictionary.· Is 'lunchtime' one word or two?· The word 'origami' comes from Japanese.word for something (=word that means something) · 'Casa' is the Italian word for 'house'.· What's another word for 'way out'?
► phrase a combination of two or more words that has a particular meaning: · There are some useful words and phrases at the end of each chapter in the Student's Book.· Are you familiar with the phrase "the old boy network'?use a phrase: · I was criticized for using the phrase 'gay lifestyles'.· His campaign is, to use one of his favourite phrases, 'as dead as Elvis'.in somebody's phrase (=according to a phrase which someone used): · The battle of El Alamein was, in Churchill's phrase, "the end of the beginning'.coin a phrase (=invent a phrase): · Who first coined the phrase "Iron Curtain'?turn of phrase (=a particular phrase or word that someone uses): · The head of the bank described the salary cuts as 'peanuts', a turn of phrase which angered many bank workers.
► expression a group of words that is used to talk about or say a particular thing: · "It'll be alright in the end' -- that was my mother's favourite expression.· 'Shadow-boxing'? I've never heard that expression before!use an expression: · I don't normally use that expression myself, but I've heard other people use it sometimes.· He said he didn't care -- well actually he used a rude expression that I can't repeat!
► term a word or group of words that are used in a technical or scientific subject and have an exact meaning in that subject: · Mr Hicks used the term 'neighbourhood schools' for what in effect were segregated black schools.· It's very difficult to give a definition of a term like 'cyberspace'.medical/legal/scientific etc term (for something): · The medical term for losing your hair is 'alopecia'.
► idiom a group of words that are used together and have a special meaning that you cannot guess from the meanings of each separate word: · 'Full of beans' is an idiom which means lively and energetic.· In Hollywood, white stars are adopting black idioms, dress styles and manners.
► figure of speech a group of words that are used to describe someone or something in an unusual or poetic way: · We describe our genes as 'selfish' or 'ruthless', but of course this is only a figure of speech.· When I said we spent the night together, it was just a figure of speech. I didn't sleep with her.
► catchword a word or phrase that people use in a particular situation, because it describes what is important in that situation: · Variety will be the catchword at the new venue, with acts ranging from stand-up comedy to poetry readings.· After World War II, the catchword for a newly health-conscious society was 'protein'.