Crossword Genius

Figures some axioms to be in the vernacular (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idiom

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the vernacular' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'figures some axioms' is the wordplay.
'figures' becomes 'idi' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'some' indicates the central letters.
'axioms' becomes 'gnomes' (gnome is a kind of axiom).
The centre of 'gnomes' is 'om'.
'idi'+'om'='IDIOM'

'to be in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for idiom that I've seen before include "Colloquialism" , "Dialect, vernacular" , "Characteristic mode of expression" , "Characteristic language of people or group" , "Figure of speech" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app