1. a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual words
2. the language or dialect of a particular group or region
3. a characteristic style or form of artistic expression
Usage: artistic; literary

Examples

• The phrase ‘break a leg’ is an idiom meaning ‘good luck.’
• She couldn’t understand the local idioms when she moved to the South.
• Learning idioms is one of the hardest parts of mastering a foreign language.
• The rural idiom was difficult for city visitors to follow.
• Jazz musicians developed their own musical idiom in the early 20th century.
• His writing style reflects the idiom of modern poetry.
• The idiom ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ means it’s raining heavily.