What Does "Poison-pen Letter" Mean?
"Poison-pen letter" is an English idiom. It means "see 'poison pen.'."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "poison-pen letter" used in a sentence:- She received a poison-pen letter filled with false accusations and hurtful words, but she chose to ignore it.
- The journalist was known for writing poison-pen articles that targeted public figures without evidence.
- Sending a poison-pen letter is not only hurtful but can also have legal consequences.

What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Poison-pen Letter" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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