The New York Times Crossword · 23-Down · 12 letters
Distinctive expression … or a hint to this puzzle's Across clues The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 20, 2026
Decode the turn
Reveal the answer now—or spot the trick first.
What to notice
Think of an idiom for distinctive wording whose first word can also mean reverse.
Open the answer and unpack the wordplayOne click · no signup
Answer
How the trick resolves
TURN OF PHRASE defines a distinctive expression while literally telling the solver to turn around the phrasing of the Across clues.
Continue this puzzlePractice Japanese →The turn in the clue
The literal reading of “turn” supplies the puzzle instruction behind the idiomatic definition.
The answer in plain English
A turn of phrase is a distinctive or memorable way of expressing something.
Where this clue appeared
23-Down in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 20, 2026.
Browse selected The New York Times Crossword clues →More selected clues from The New York Times Crossword · August 20, 2026
Continue with independently explained clues from the same puzzle date. This is a selected learning set, not a complete answer list.
See TURNOFPHRASE meaning and common clue patterns →
Related reviewed clues
Solve the next clue here.
Paste another clue, add the letters you trust, and keep solving without returning to search.
This independently written explanation is for learning and clue analysis. Crossword Clue Tutor is not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times Crossword or its publisher.