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Yveslin Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Can we put a word in between the words of an idiom?

When I first read the phrase "small shadowy voices calling out", I thought "small" here meant low in tone, but to call out means to utter loudly. So, I concluded that small voice must be an idiom there, meaning inner voice. But can we put another word in between the parts of an idiom like that?
  

Top answer

small voices is not an idiom, so you can write it however you want to.

— Clive

  • small voices is not an idiom, so you can write it however you want to.
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9 Answers
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small voices is not an idiom, so you can write it however you want to.
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Clivesmall voices is not an idiom, so you can write it however you want to.
So the meaning is inner voice, right? (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/small+voice)
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yveslinto call out means to utter loudly
Not necessarily. It could imply "beckon".

CJ
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It depends on the context.
Figuratively, it can mean inner voice.
More literally, it can mean quiet voice.

You link didn't work for me.
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Clive link didn't work
Hmm. It worked fine for me.

CJ
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CliveIt depends on the context.Figuratively, it can mean inner voice.More literally, it can mean quiet voice.You link didn't work for me.
I gave the link of Free Dictionary. There is a definition for small voice.
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yveslinThere is a definition for small voice.
Actually, I was not aware of this definition as "inner voice" or "voice of conscience". Regardless, I don't think it applies to your original quotation (because of "shadowy", which doesn't fit well with that definition).

CJ
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CalifJim Actually, I was not aware of this definition as "inner voice" or "voice of conscience". Regardless, I don't think it applies to your original quotation (because of "shadowy", which doesn't fit well with that definition).CJ
Thank you. In this case, the only explanation is that to call out isn't to utter "loudly", so that small can mean low and quiet.
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yveslinIn this case, the only explanation is that to call out isn't to utter "loudly", so that small can mean low and quiet.
I would be more circumspect about saying "only explanation", but I do agree with your interpretation.

CJ
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