Collocations for phrase - noun
ADJECTIVE
colloquial,
idiomatic
key
‘Start slowly’ is the key phrase for the first-time marathon runner.
key
‘Start slowly’ is the key phrase for the first-time marathon runner.
common,
familiar,
famous,
popular
catch-all, empty, hackneyed, meaningless, stock
He just comes out with the same old stock phrases.
catch-all, empty, hackneyed, meaningless, stock
He just comes out with the same old stock phrases.
apt,
catchy (informal),
colourful/colorful,
descriptive,
memorable,
telling,
well-turned
catch (usually catchphrase), signature (AmE)
the show's best known catchphrase
catch (usually catchphrase), signature (AmE)
the show's best known catchphrase
buzz
A current popular buzz phrase is ‘Think outside the box’.
A current popular buzz phrase is ‘Think outside the box’.
code
(esp. AmE)
‘Law and order’ was most often a code phrase for repressive measures.
‘Law and order’ was most often a code phrase for repressive measures.
musical
adjectival, adverbial, noun, prepositional, verb
adjectival, adverbial, noun, prepositional, verb
VERB + phrase
employ,
turn,
use
She can certainly turn a phrase.
She can certainly turn a phrase.
coin
Who coined the phrase ‘desktop publishing’?
Who coined the phrase ‘desktop publishing’?
borrow
utter
quote, repeat
trademark
In 1998, he trademarked the phrase ‘Freedom of Expression’.
utter
quote, repeat
trademark
In 1998, he trademarked the phrase ‘Freedom of Expression’.
PREPOSITION
in a/the phrase
She was, in her own memorable phrase, ‘a woman without a past’.
She was, in her own memorable phrase, ‘a woman without a past’.
PHRASES
a choice of phrase
Her unfortunate choice of phrase offended most of the audience.
Her unfortunate choice of phrase offended most of the audience.
a turn of phrase
He is meticulous in his choice of words and turns of phrase.
He is meticulous in his choice of words and turns of phrase.