1. Literal vs. Figurative Language

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

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

4. Literal vs. Figurative Language

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

7. Why use figurative language?

8. To express common emotions and experiences:

9. To be descriptive

10. To be funny

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

12. Idiom Game

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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
G thi

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Examples