In this paper I introduce (1) a technically simple and highly theory-independent way for lexically representing flexible idiomatic expressions,
and (2) a procedure to incorporate these lexical representations in a wide variety of NLP systems. The method is based on
Structural EQuivalence Classes for Idioms and therefore called the SEQCI method. I illustrate the approach using the Rosetta MT system
as an example of an NLP system. I discuss the advantages and some possible objections to the method. I conclude that the method is
a good candidate for a standard for the lexical representation of idioms. The method also has the potential to be used for multi-word
expressions other than idioms