---
title: "Literal vs Figurative Language"
description: "Distinguish literal from nonliteral (figurative) language in context and interpret common idioms and phrases"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/literal-vs-figurative-language-mt_SUOhjmRqv9
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/literal-vs-figurative-language-mt_SUOhjmRqv9.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Literal vs Figurative Language

Distinguish literal from nonliteral (figurative) language in context and interpret common idioms and phrases

Subject: English · Area: Vocabulary · Ages 8 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/literal-vs-figurative-language-mt_SUOhjmRqv9

## Ready when they can

- Identify whether 'It's raining cats and dogs' is literal or nonliteral and explain what it means
- Read a passage and circle three phrases used nonliterally, restating each in literal terms
- Explain the difference between 'She was on fire' (figurative, performing well) and 'The log was on fire' (literal)

## Lesson: Literal or Figurative?

Some words mean exactly what they say. If you say, 'I ate an apple,' you really ate a real apple. That's called literal language.

Other words paint a picture instead of stating a plain fact. If you say, 'I have a mountain of homework,' you don't own an actual mountain. You just mean you have a lot of homework. That's called figurative, or nonliteral, language.

**Example.** The log was on fire. That's literal: real flames were burning it. Later, someone said, 'She was on fire during the game.' That's figurative: it means she played amazingly well, not that she was actually burning.

*(drawing: Same words, two jobs. Flames on a log are literal. Flames on a person paint a picture: she played amazingly well.)*

**Tip.** To spot figurative language, ask yourself: could this really happen? If a phrase sounds impossible, like cats and dogs falling from the sky, it's probably figurative. Then think about what it really means.

**Recap.** Literal words mean exactly what they say; figurative words paint a picture with a different, true meaning.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Expressive and Sensory Language](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/expressive-and-sensory-language-mt_fL1Xz8ostr)
- [Shades of Meaning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/shades-of-meaning-mt_VLu59hpQ4T)

## Opens up

- [Similes & Metaphors](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/similes-and-metaphors-mt_hJW7hVflm3)
- [Idioms & Proverbs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/idioms-and-proverbs-mt_IoGOSAQ8bz)
- [Cultural Allusions and Word Meaning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/cultural-allusions-and-word-meaning-mt_ZanQuV90qi)