set phrase

English - English

Definition of set phrase in English English dictionary

A common expression whose words cannot be replaced by synonymous words without compromising the meaning

If it proves clearly unfeasible to make the audience laugh at a thin and far-fetched joke, it is always better to change the way the joke works . . . for instance, a pun based on the speaker's taking literally some set phrase or metaphor with a pun based on phonetic similarity.

A common expression whose wording is not subject to variation

Bally remarks in passing, as Hall does not, that the inversion in toujours est-il que is part of a set phrase and hence invariable.

Related Terms

set phrases

plural form of set phrase

Hyphenation

SET phrase

Turkish pronunciation

set freyz

Pronunciation

/ˈset ˈfrāz/ /ˈsɛt ˈfreɪz/

Etymology

[ 'set ] (verb.) before 12th century. Middle English setten, from Old English settan; akin to Old High German sezzen to set, Old English sittan to sit.