Literal vs. Nonliteral Language

There was a little bird sitting outside my window chirping and whistling all day long. It drove me up the wall!

• Literal
• Nonliteral

My little sister was playing with toy cars. She drove them over the carpet, the kitchen floor, and the coffee table. She even drove them up the walls!

• Literal
• Nonliteral

This room is an oven!

• Literal
• Nonliteral

I've told you a million times!

• Literal
• Nonliteral

My friend leaned over to me before we went on stage and said, "I have butterflies in my tummy!"

• Literal
• Nonliteral

It's raining cats and dogs out there!

• Literal
• Nonliteral

Mrs. Messina always tells me, "You're a nut!"

• Literal
• Nonliteral

Please pick up your art supplies and put them away.

• Literal
• Nonliteral

During P.E. the soccer ball was bouncing off the wall.

• Literal
• Nonliteral

During P.E. the students were bouncing off the walls!

• Literal 
• Nonliteral