Some people talk about hard topics using special phrases. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words say. But many people understand their real meaning. When it comes to abortion, people also use idioms. These idioms can be serious or soft. They help people talk about the topic without saying it too directly.
In this article, we will look at idioms that relate to abortion. These phrases are used in stories, news, and sometimes in daily talk. Some are used to describe choices. Others talk about actions or feelings. Learning these idioms can help us understand how people talk about this topic in a careful way. Let’s look at these phrases one by one.
Idioms for Abortion
1. Ending a pregnancy
Meaning: To terminate a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: She decided to end her pregnancy after much thought. / They discussed ending the pregnancy due to health concerns.
Substitute Meaning: Terminate a pregnancy / Have an abortion
2. Termination of pregnancy
Meaning: A medical procedure to end a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: The doctor explained the process of termination of pregnancy. / She underwent a termination of pregnancy last month.
Substitute Meaning: Abortion / Medical procedure to end pregnancy
3. Elective procedure
Meaning: A non-emergency medical procedure chosen by the patient.
Give an Instance: She scheduled an elective procedure for next week. / The clinic offers various elective procedures.
Substitute Meaning: Chosen medical procedure / Non-urgent surgery
4. Medical abortion
Meaning: Ending a pregnancy using medication.
Give an Instance: She opted for a medical abortion in the early weeks. / The clinic provides medical abortion services.
Substitute Meaning: Abortion with pills / Non-surgical abortion
5. Surgical abortion
Meaning: Ending a pregnancy through a medical procedure.
Give an Instance: The patient underwent a surgical abortion. / Surgical abortions are performed in clinics.
Substitute Meaning: Procedure to end pregnancy / Clinical abortion
6. Dilation and evacuation (D&E)
Meaning: A surgical method to remove pregnancy tissue.
Give an Instance: The doctor performed a dilation and evacuation. / D&E is common in second-trimester abortions.
Substitute Meaning: Surgical abortion method / Medical procedure
7. Dilation and curettage (D&C)
Meaning: A procedure to remove tissue from the uterus.
Give an Instance: She had a dilation and curettage after complications. / D&C is used for various medical reasons.
Substitute Meaning: Uterine procedure / Medical treatment
8. Vacuum aspiration
Meaning: A method to remove pregnancy tissue using suction.
Give an Instance: The clinic offers vacuum aspiration services. / Vacuum aspiration is a common abortion method.
Substitute Meaning: Suction abortion / Medical procedure
9. Induced abortion
Meaning: A deliberate procedure to end a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: She chose an induced abortion after consultation. / Induced abortions are legal in many areas.
Substitute Meaning: Planned abortion / Medical termination
10. Therapeutic abortion
Meaning: An abortion performed for medical reasons.
Give an Instance: The doctor recommended a therapeutic abortion. / Therapeutic abortions are done to protect health.
Substitute Meaning: Medically advised abortion / Health-related termination
11. Spontaneous abortion
Meaning: A natural loss of pregnancy, also known as a miscarriage.
Give an Instance: She experienced a spontaneous abortion in the first trimester. / Spontaneous abortions are common.
Substitute Meaning: Miscarriage / Natural pregnancy loss
12. Miscarriage
Meaning: The natural loss of a pregnancy before viability.
Give an Instance: She had a miscarriage at eight weeks. / Miscarriages can be emotionally challenging.
Substitute Meaning: Pregnancy loss / Natural abortion
13. Pregnancy termination
Meaning: The act of ending a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: They discussed pregnancy termination options. / Pregnancy termination can be medical or surgical.
Substitute Meaning: Ending a pregnancy / Abortion
14. Unplanned pregnancy
Meaning: A pregnancy that was not intended.
Give an Instance: She faced an unplanned pregnancy during college. / Unplanned pregnancies can be stressful.
Substitute Meaning: Unexpected pregnancy / Surprise pregnancy
15. Crisis pregnancy
Meaning: A pregnancy that causes emotional or financial stress.
Give an Instance: She sought help for her crisis pregnancy. / Crisis pregnancy centers offer support.
Substitute Meaning: Difficult pregnancy / Challenging situation
16. Family planning
Meaning: The practice of controlling the number and timing of children.
Give an Instance: They visited a family planning clinic. / Family planning includes contraception and abortion services.
Substitute Meaning: Reproductive planning / Birth control services
17. Reproductive health
Meaning: The state of health relating to the reproductive system.
Give an Instance: She focused on her reproductive health. / Reproductive health services are essential.
Substitute Meaning: Fertility health / Sexual health
18. Women’s health care
Meaning: Medical services related to women’s health.
Give an Instance: The clinic specializes in women’s health care. / Women’s health care includes various services.
Substitute Meaning: Female health services / Gynecological care
19. Choice
Meaning: The right to decide about one’s reproductive options.
Give an Instance: She believes in the importance of choice. / Choice is central to reproductive rights.
Substitute Meaning: Decision-making / Autonomy
20. Pro-choice
Meaning: Supporting the right to choose abortion.
Give an Instance: She identifies as pro-choice. / Pro-choice advocates support reproductive rights.
Substitute Meaning: Abortion rights supporter / Reproductive freedom advocate
21. Pro-life
Meaning: Opposing abortion and supporting fetal rights.
Give an Instance: He is active in the pro-life movement. / Pro-life groups organize rallies.
Substitute Meaning: Anti-abortion / Fetal rights supporter
22. Safe and legal abortion
Meaning: Access to abortion services that are lawful and medically safe.
Give an Instance: They advocate for safe and legal abortion. / Safe and legal abortion is a public health issue.
Substitute Meaning: Authorized abortion / Medical abortion access
23. Illegal operation
Meaning: A term historically used to describe an unlawful abortion.
Give an Instance: She underwent an illegal operation in the past. / Illegal operations were risky.
Substitute Meaning: Unlawful abortion / Unauthorized procedure
24. Back-alley abortion
Meaning: An unsafe abortion performed in unsterile conditions.
Give an Instance: Back-alley abortions were common before legalization. / She fears a return to back-alley abortions.
Substitute Meaning: Unsafe abortion / Unregulated procedure
25. Coat hanger abortion
Meaning: A dangerous method of self-induced abortion.
Give an Instance: The term “coat hanger abortion” symbolizes unsafe practices. / Activists warn against coat hanger abortions.
Substitute Meaning: Self-induced abortion / Hazardous method
26. Bringing on the courses
Meaning: An old euphemism for inducing menstruation or abortion.
Give an Instance: She used herbs for bringing on the courses. / The phrase was common in historical texts.
Substitute Meaning: Inducing period / Menstrual regulation
27. Menstrual extraction
Meaning: A method to remove menstrual blood, sometimes used to terminate early pregnancy.
Give an Instance: Menstrual extraction was practiced in some communities. / It’s a controversial method.
Substitute Meaning: Early abortion technique / Menstrual regulation
28. Reproductive choice
Meaning: The right to decide about reproduction.
Give an Instance: She advocates for reproductive choice. / Reproductive choice includes access to abortion.
Substitute Meaning: Fertility decision / Family planning autonomy
29. Pregnancy option
Meaning: Choices available regarding a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: They discussed pregnancy options with a counselor. / Pregnancy options include parenting, adoption, or abortion.
Substitute Meaning: Reproductive choices / Decision-making paths
30. Unwanted pregnancy
Meaning: A pregnancy that is not desired.
Give an Instance: She faced an unwanted pregnancy. / Unwanted pregnancies can lead to difficult decisions.
Substitute Meaning: Unplanned pregnancy / Unexpected conception
31. Fetal demise
Meaning: Death of the fetus.
Give an Instance: The doctor confirmed fetal demise. / Fetal demise can occur naturally.
Substitute Meaning: Stillbirth / Pregnancy loss
32. Pregnancy interruption
Meaning: Ending a pregnancy before term.
Give an Instance: Medical reasons led to pregnancy interruption. / Pregnancy interruption can be elective or necessary.
Substitute Meaning: Termination / Early end to pregnancy
33. Voluntary interruption of pregnancy
Meaning: Choosing to end a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: She opted for a voluntary interruption of pregnancy. / The term is used in medical contexts.
Substitute Meaning: Elective abortion / Chosen termination
34. Pregnancy loss
Meaning: The end of a pregnancy due to miscarriage or abortion.
Give an Instance: She experienced a pregnancy loss. / Pregnancy loss can be emotionally taxing.
Substitute Meaning: Miscarriage / Termination
35. Fetal reduction
Meaning: Reducing the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy.
Give an Instance: Fetal reduction was performed for health reasons. / It’s a complex decision.
Substitute Meaning: Selective reduction / Embryo reduction
36. Embryo reduction
Meaning: Decreasing the number of embryos in a pregnancy.
Give an Instance: Embryo reduction was considered due to risks. / It’s common in fertility treatments.
Substitute Meaning: Fetal reduction / Selective termination
37. Selective termination
Meaning: Ending one or more fetuses in a multiple pregnancy.
Give an Instance: Selective termination was advised by the doctor. / It’s a sensitive topic.
Substitute Meaning: Fetal reduction / Embryo reduction
38. Pregnancy management
Meaning: Overseeing the health and decisions during pregnancy.
Give an Instance: She sought help for pregnancy management. / Pregnancy management includes various options.
Substitute Meaning: Prenatal care / Reproductive planning
39. Reproductive rights
Meaning: Legal rights relating to reproduction and reproductive health.
Give an Instance: They campaign for reproductive rights. / Reproductive rights include access to abortion.
Substitute Meaning: Fertility rights / Family planning rights
40. Reproductive justice
Meaning: The right to have children, not have children, and parent in safe environments.
Give an Instance: The organization promotes reproductive justice. / Reproductive justice addresses systemic inequalities.
Substitute Meaning: Comprehensive reproductive rights / Equity in reproductive health
41. Life-altering decision
Meaning: A choice that deeply changes one’s life.
Give an Instance: She made a life-altering decision regarding her pregnancy. / Choosing what to do was a life-altering decision.
Substitute Meaning: Major choice / Big turning point
42. Difficult choice
Meaning: A decision that is hard to make.
Give an Instance: It was a difficult choice, but she did what felt right. / Facing a difficult choice, she asked for support.
Substitute Meaning: Tough decision / Hard call
43. Not ready to be a parent
Meaning: Feeling unprepared for raising a child.
Give an Instance: She said she was not ready to be a parent. / Many people aren’t ready to be parents at a young age.
Substitute Meaning: Unprepared for parenthood / Not set for parenting
44. Make the best decision for oneself
Meaning: To choose what one believes is right for their life.
Give an Instance: She made the best decision for herself. / He supported her in making the best decision for her life.
Substitute Meaning: Personal decision / Chosen path
45. Take control of one’s future
Meaning: To make choices that shape your life direction.
Give an Instance: She wanted to take control of her future. / They encouraged her to take control of her future.
Substitute Meaning: Decide your path / Plan your life
Find the Idioms for Abortion
Reading Passage
Last spring, Maya found out she was facing an unplanned pregnancy. She had just started her first job after college and felt she was not ready to be a parent. After thinking it over for days, she knew this would be a life-altering decision.
Maya went to a clinic that supports women’s health care. There, she spoke with a counselor about her pregnancy options. They talked through each one. The counselor explained what a medical abortion meant and how it worked. Maya also learned about other methods, like vacuum aspiration and surgical abortion.
She was glad she had a choice and felt supported in making the best decision for herself. She wanted to take control of her future and make a choice that fit her life. In the end, Maya chose a termination of pregnancy. It was a difficult choice, but she felt calm knowing she had help with her reproductive health.
Now, Maya continues with her goals, thankful for the care she received.
Task for Students
Read the passage again. Underline or list all the idioms or soft phrases related to abortion that you find in the story.
Answer Key
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Not ready to be a parent
- Life-altering decision
- Women’s health care
- Pregnancy options
- Medical abortion
- Vacuum aspiration
- Surgical abortion
- Choice
- Make the best decision for herself
- Take control of her future
- Termination of pregnancy
- Difficult choice
- Reproductive health
Conclusion
Idioms and soft phrases help people talk about private or emotional topics. When talking about abortion, these phrases let people speak in a way that feels respectful and thoughtful. They are often used in clinics, news stories, and everyday talk.
By learning these expressions, we can understand what others mean even if the words are not direct. These idioms also help people share their experiences in a clear but gentle way. Knowing them helps us listen better and speak with care.
