You use ~ when indicating that the expression you are using is normally used by a particular group of people. (FORMAL)
The phrase is common diplomatic ~ for spying.
N-UNCOUNT: supp N, usu in N
You use ~ when indicating that the expression you are using is normally used by a particular group of people. (FORMAL)
The phrase is common diplomatic ~ for spying.
N-UNCOUNT: supp N, usu in N
Collins COBUILD. Толковый словарь английского языка для изучающих язык Коллинз COBUILD (международная база данных языков Бирмингемского университета) . 2012