DictionarycouchExpress in words
verb

couch

To express something in a particular wording or style.

She couches the criticism in gentle language.

Etymology

Old French coucher meant to lay or place. Couching an idea lays it out in a chosen verbal form, making the wording or style the arrangement in which it is presented.

More examples

  • He couched the proposal as a practical experiment.
  • They have couched the warning in formal terms.
  • The writer is couching the idea as a question.

Forms

couch · couches · couched · couching

Similar words

phrase
Puts something into particular words.
frame
Presents something from a chosen perspective.