define as

define (something) as (something)

To describe, designate, or label something as something. Oh, Molly's not coming to the parade because she defines these kind of events as chaotic and overwhelming. Dad won't go with you—he defines musicals as universally boring. He even fell asleep last year at The Music Man! Why would I go to a political rally with you? I define those kinds of things as three-ring circuses without the big top.

See also: define

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

define something as something

to label something as being something. I define that kind of behavior as just plain rude! We have to define that comment as careless and unthinking.

See also: define

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.