turn of phrase
turn of expression

No, that still wasn't the precise turn of phrase he was after.

There are some nice turns of phrase in her book.

Likely I'll spend the days remembering his turn of phrase.

Oh, yeah, he was American, only we have that poetic turn of phrase.

My father had the best turn of phrase I've ever heard.

Sometimes however, being dressed to kill is more than just a turn of phrase.

It had just been a turn of phrase, she told herself.

"I have to say it's an appropriate turn of phrase, though."

And I know him; he has some turns of phrase

Not sure that's the best turn of phrase in the circumstances.