What term describes chunks whose parts never change, such as 'Let's face it' or 'Merry Christmas'?

• A. Fixed Expression
• B. Semi-Fixed Expression
• C. Collocation
• D. Register

Answer: (A)

Fixed expressions are chunks of language with a set, unchanging form. They function as single units, so the exact sequence of words stays the same to preserve meaning and common usage. That’s why phrases like “Let’s face it” and “Merry Christmas” are considered fixed expressions: you don’t normally alter the words or their order, and speakers rely on the conventional form. This rigidity sets them apart from semi-fixed expressions, which allow a little variation, from collocations, which are common word pairings that can still vary in context, and from register, which describes formality rather than the stability of a phrase.