Literal vs Figurative Language Literal Meaning Literal meaning

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Literal Meaning – Literal meaning is EXACTLY what the words say.

Literal Meaning – Exactly what the words say Literal meaning leaves no room for interpretation.

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Figurative language – Language that CANNOT be taken literally. – For example, literary devices are examples of figurative language.

Why use figurative language?

To express common emotions and experiences:

To be descriptive

To be funny

What idioms or expressions do you know in English? Are there any idioms from another language that you know?

Idiom Game

1. Let sleeping dogs lie A. Be kind to animals B. Do not interfere with the situation C. We all need more sleep

2. Take it with a grain of salt A. Only take the advice if you want it B. Eat healthy C. Don’t waste good advice

3. If you "lost your marbles, " you A. Should remember to keep track of your things B. Got old C. Went a bit crazy

4. If you "bite off more than you chew, " you A. Are selfish B. Agreed to more than you can handle C. Lost your false teeth

5. Barking up the wrong tree means A. Asking the wrong person B. Deforestation C. Being angry at the wrong person

6. Speak of the devil A. Talk about a person before they enter the room B. Plan to do evil things C. Be bossy and tell people how to act

7. If you are "on the ball, " A. You’re doing it just right B. You are excellent at sports C. You are on time

8. The last straw is: A. The last step before success B. The youngest person in a big family C. The last annoying thing before you explode

9. If you "Beat around the bush, " you: A. Are an excellent gardener B. Don’t get to the point C. Say the same thing over and over

10. If you are "on the fence" A. You cannot decide between two things B. You are both right and left handed C. You are guarded with your things

11. Jump of the bandwagon: A. Join a rock band B. Hitchhike out of town C. Do what everyone else is doing

12. Cross that bridge when we come to it A. Learn to get along with people B. Worry about the problem when it’s in front of you C. Don’t put things off until tomorrow

Draw your idiom, literally! Your poster should have: • Your idiom • A drawing that represents the literal meaning • The explanation or intended meaning at the bottom

Examples