Figurative Language versus Literal Language - Essay Example

Problem solving becomes easier when the analogy of an event is understood. Metaphor is a figure of speech. Direct comparison is usually a metaphor, for instance he was a lion in the battlefield is a metaphor, it goes to show that the man fought like a lion in the battlefield but the word like would not be used in a metaphor. Hyperbole is another figure of speech which means over exaggeration, when someone or something normal is presented in a grand manner it is called hyperbole. The following is an example of a hyperbole "I was helpless.

I did not know what in the world to do. I was quaking from head to foot, and could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far." (Hyperbole) Simile refers to indirect comparison, it is different from metaphor, words like like and as are used in a simile, for instance her house is like a jail is a simile. You are not as good as he is, this is another example of a simile. Euphemism is another very important figure of speech, it means putting things more subtly. When an offensive word or phrase is substituted with a less offensive word or phrase it is called euphemism, for instance a prostitute is not called a prostitute by some people, they say lady of easy virtue or a painted lady, this is euphemism.

They do not say they want to go to the toilet, rather they say we would like to go to the powder room or they would ask where the facilities are, this is euphemism. Colloquialism is “an informal expression that is more often used in casual conversation than in formal speech or writing.” (Colloquialism) He was dumped by her is an example of colloquialism, these were some very important figure of