ABSTRACT
When we talk, we frequently use ‘non-literal’ language in which what we mean may not be exactly what we are saying. Examples of non-literal language include:
• idioms (eg ‘I’ve got butterflies in my stomach’, ‘pull your socks up’)
• use of similes/metaphors (eg ‘hair like spun gold’, ‘he is a sly fox’)
• irony and sarcasm (eg ‘Now I’ve broken my television, that’s just great’)
• lies or white lies.
