ABSTRACT
In our language a word, a saying, a proverb or a slang expression can mean two (or more) things at the same time. For most of us, everyday expressions such as 'Hang on a moment', are immediately understandable, but they can be puzzling to literal thinkers. Figurative language is an overarching term meaning language that is enhanced by idioms, metaphors, similes, proverbs, and so on. Idioms are forms of language that are invented, agreed, dispersed and understood by speakers of a particular language. A metaphor is a word or phrase which, if taken literally, would be incorrect when applied to the object being described, for example, 'Life is a journey' and 'All the world's a stage'. A simile is a phrase which compares one thing with another of a different kind, and usually contains the word 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'Life is rather like a tin of sardines: we're all looking for the key'.
