Idioms

The label Idioms introduces a list of idiomatic equivalents. Idiomatic equivalents are essentially the same in meaning as the members of a synonym group. An idiom list at a main entry includes phrases that are generally pertinent to the entire synonym list:

Entry Word: speak
Function: verb
1 to articulate words in order to express thoughts . . .
Synonyms talk, utter, verbalize, vocalize, voice
Related Words . . .
Idioms break silence, give voice (or tongue or utterance) to, let fall, make public (or known), open one's mouth (or lips), put in (or into) words, say one's say, speak one's piece

An idiom list at a secondary entry features idioms that are particularly appropriate equivalents to its entry word:

Entry Word: retaliate
Function: verb
Synonyms RECIPROCATE, recompense, requite, return
Related Words . . .
Idioms even the score, get back at, get even with, give in kind, give one a dose of his own medicine, give one tit for tat, pay one in his own coin, settle (or square) accounts, turn the tables on

Idiomatic equivalents, including those fixed verb + preposition combinations that function as idioms rather than as literal meanings of the verb, do not have their own entries in the thesaurus.

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