Re: Difference between Literally speaking and Figuratively speaking
‘Literally speaking’ refers to using the normal meaning of a word or phrase:
“The bird flew away.”
“The plane flew non-stop to Cairo.”
Humans can’t fly, yet someone might say:
“He didn’t want to be late for work, and flew out the door without eating breakfast.”
The person is using the verb ‘flew’ figuratively.
Similarly, we might say that someone has a cold heart, or is cold-hearted. If this were literally true, then the person would be dead. It is being used figuratively to mean ‘lacking warmth of feeling, or affection’.
Re: Difference between Literally speaking and Figuratively speaking
Grammar Monster Team
‘Literally speaking’ refers to using the normal meaning of a word or phrase:
“The bird flew away.”
“The plane flew non-stop to Cairo.”
Humans can’t fly, yet someone might say:
“He didn’t want to be late for work, and flew out the door without eating breakfast.”
The person is using the verb ‘flew’ figuratively.
Similarly, we might say that someone has a cold heart, or is cold-hearted. If this were literally true, then the person would be dead. It is being used figuratively to mean ‘lacking warmth of feeling, or affection’.
Example of Cold heart is very good. It makes very good sense!
By the way, should we take the Bible as Literal language, or Figurative?
Re: Difference between Literally speaking and Figuratively speaking
There are figurative uses of language (for instance, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men", and parables to illustrate moral lessons, but for the most part, the language of the Bible is meant to be taken literally.
