contradiction in terms
A phrase or expression that causes confusion because it contains words or ideas that contradict each other; an oxymoron. Jumbo shrimp is such a contradiction in terms. A: "Now there's a contradiction in terms—a silent disco." B: "It actually not, though, because everyone listens to music on headphones and dances together!" I'm sorry, you actually like your mother-in-law? That sounds like a contradiction in terms to me.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
contradiction in terms
a statement containing a seeming contradiction. A wealthy pauper is a contradiction in terms. A straight-talking politician may seem to be a contradiction in terms.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
contradiction in terms
A statement that seems to contradict itself, with one part of it denying another. For example, I've always believed that "a poor millionaire" was a contradiction in terms. [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
contradiction in terms
a statement or group of words associating objects or ideas which are incompatible. 1994 Toronto Life Veggie burger?— a contradiction in terms I had no wish to argue with: vegetables are fine and necessary, but in their place.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a contraˌdiction in ˈterms
a statement or description containing two words or phrases that contradict each other’s meaning: They call their project ‘a peace offensive’, which seems to me a contradiction in terms.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017