Literal vs. Nonliteral Language

Front

What is literal language?

Back

Literal language means exactly what it says. For example, 'The sky is blue' is literal.

Front

What is nonliteral language?

Back

Nonliteral language means it does not mean exactly what it says. For example, 'It's raining cats and dogs' means it's raining heavily.

Front

When someone says, 'I could sleep for a year,' what type of language is that?

Back

Nonliteral language.

Front

What does it mean when someone says, 'I'm on top of the world'?

Back

It means they are very happy, not that they are literally on top of the world.

Front

If I say, 'I have a ton of homework,' what type of language am I using?

Back

Nonliteral language.

Front

What does 'break a leg' mean in a performance context?

Back

It means 'good luck,' not to literally break a leg.

Front

What is an example of a literal statement?

Back

'The cat is on the mat.'

Front

What does it mean when someone says, 'Time flies'?

Back

It means time passes quickly, not that time literally flies.

Front

If I say, 'She has a heart of gold,' what type of language is that?

Back

Nonliteral language.

Front

What does 'feeling blue' mean?

Back

It means feeling sad, not that someone is literally blue.