word for word

word for word

In or with the same exact words; verbatim. After seeing the play only once, he was able to repeat the monologue word for word. It was amazing. You don't need to translate it word for word—just make sure it has the same meaning.
See also: word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

word for word

in the exact words; verbatim. I memorized the speech, word for word. I can't recall word for word what she told us.
See also: word
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

word for word

Exactly as written or spoken, as in That was the forecast, word for word. Chaucer used this idiom in the late 1300s.
See also: word
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

word for word

in exactly the same or, when translated, exactly equivalent words.
See also: word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌword for ˈword

in exactly the same words; translated directly from another language: I repeated what you said, word for word. It probably won’t sound very natural if you translate it word for word. a word-for-word account, translation, etc.
See also: word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • word by word
  • from the word go
  • have word (from someone or something)
  • get word (from someone or something)
  • receive word
  • receive word (from someone or something)
  • false friend
  • in a word
  • calaboose
  • buzz word
References in periodicals archive
De palabra en palabra is the title of the exhibition catalogue, and indeed, word for word, world-pictures are created whenever someone explains the choice of some personal effect or recounts a memory--when a projectionist, for instance, rattles off his account of the film playing in the cinema and comments on the reactions of the audience.
Ingrid Wildi: Aargauer Kunsthaus
The first two briefed the American official about the general situation in Iraq and the Middle East, and what would happen in Iraq, "and it's happened word for word since," says Ghorbanifar.
Iran-Contra II? Fresh scrutiny on a rogue Pentagon operation
The crowd went crazy as they chanted the song word for word along with the band.
Mail music: NICKELBACK Carling Academy, Glasgow, June 15 HHHHH
The reply I received, word for word was simple: 'This is what I want, and this is what I'm going to have'.
Letter: IN BRIEF
"I had to start looking at the letters and numbers on the board, and go word for word, letter for letter to make sure I got firings right," he says.
l learning disorders: life: dyslexia can make reading seem impossible. Find out how one teen overcame this learning disorder
Sentencing, Judge Elizabeth Dunne said she had heard De Lange's story almost "word for word" from other South Africans in her court.
pounds 35k dope mule jailed
Tomorrow is a special day for young people when Tim Baker's three plays, The Secret, Word for Word and Flora's War, can all be seen in the Emlyn Williams Theatre.
Last show
People who have taken part in the Word for Word project were meeting at Atherstone Leisure Centre to discuss ways of improving literacy and educational attainment.
Learning the word as project rolls on
"Many business people think you can simply transfer one language into another by translating the source text word for word," he adds.
Business cards can be key in global communication: understanding the cultural nuances of design, localization and interpretation