The article is devoted to the development of the concept of the “Ideographic dictionary of Anglo-American ethno-cultural collocations.” The research urgency is caused by the introduction of the concept of “ethno-cultural collocation.” The term designates the type of collocations with syntactic and semantic unity of combined words linked by a tradition of native speakers and reflecting elements of reality significant for a particular society. Lexicographic description of word groups into combinations unique to a specific language, with the national-cultural specificity, raises a question about the criteria underlying the selection of lexical units for inclusion in the dictionary. It is proposed to take into account criteria of sustainability, non-equivalence, cultural specificity, etc. The principles of representation of lexical units in the dictionary are characterized. Special attention is paid to “user’s queries” of the dictionary. The need to take them into account is stated to develop the optimal composition of the dictionary. The examples of dictionary entries are given. The preparation of this ideographic dictionary is an experience of systematization of the ethno-cultural collocations, namely their representation in thematic groups. The relevance of the work is determined by the fact that it is carried out in accordance with modern lexicographical concepts. The novelty of the research lies in the methodological development - the definition of megastructure, macrostructure and microstructure of the dictionary.