swallow the dictionary

idiom

Meaning

To speak using long or obscure words.

Examples

SIMPLE

He talks like he swallowed the dictionary.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor is so formal that it sounds like he swallowed the dictionary whenever he gives a lecture.

COMPLEX

During the debate, the candidate spoke with such convoluted vocabulary that the audience felt he had swallowed the dictionary just to sound more intelligent.

Anchors to

dictionary
swallow

Related idioms4entries

01
hard to swallow
Difficult to accept; hard to acquiesce to.
02
swallow a bitter pill
To accept or endure an unpleasant situation.
03
swallow one's pride
To set aside one's feelings of pride and adopt a more humble or appropriate stance.
04
swallow the leek
To change one's mind.