50 Examples of Sentences in a Figurative Sense

Figurative sense

By speaking, we can communicate ideas literally or figuratively. When we express ourselves in the literal sense, our intention is that the usual and explicit meaning of the words is understood. For example: Juan has a bad heart it literally means that Juan has a heart problem.

On the other hand, when the figurative sense is used, the objective is to convey an idea different from that which can be understood with the usual or literal meaning of the words. In this case, it is a connotative meaning that depends on the context and the participants of the communicative situation, among other elements.

Thus, to construct a new meaning, one resorts to a real or imaginary similarity. For this reason, the figurative sense is constructed from rhetorical resources such as the analogy, the euphemism, the simile, the personification, the hyperbole, the irony and the metaphor.

In general, when using the figurative sense, it is necessary to know the context of the sentence to understand it correctly. For example, the same phrase that we understood before literally,

Juan has a bad heartIn another context, it could be interpreted in a figurative sense and it would mean that Juan has just suffered a love disappointment or is suffering from love problems.

Figurative language is very common in everyday life and in colloquial speech, as well as in poetic literature, journalistic and fiction. It is also very frequent in popular sayings and sayings. However, it is usually totally avoided in legal and scientific texts, or in those contexts in which the information tries to be transmitted in the most objective and precise way possible. This is because the interpretation of the figurative sense is largely dependent on the receiver. As it is not a precise or rigorous language, it can give rise to different interpretations.

Examples of sentences in a figurative sense

1. When she arrives, the room lights up. (The arrival of that person causes a lot of joy).
2. He got taller overnight. (He grew up very quickly).
3. Don't hang out with that man, he's a pig. (That man is a bad person).
4. My neighbor is a snake. (My neighbor is a bad person).
5. The News It was a bucket of cold water. (The news came unexpectedly and caused an unpleasant sensation.)
6. That party was a wake. (The mood of the party, instead of being happy, was sad).
7. He put it between a rock and a hard place. (She left him no choice).
8. Dead the dog, the rabies is gone. (It is necessary to eliminate the cause of the problem to eliminate the problem.)
9. Weed never dies. (Problematic people stay around for a long time.)
10. Don't ask the elm for pears. (Do not have demands or expectations out of place or with people who cannot meet them).
11. Barking dog does not bite. (A person who talks a lot then does not act).
12. With you, bread and onion. (If we are in love, material possessions are not necessary).
13. His heart leapt out of his chest. (He experienced a violent or intense emotion).
14. He walked into the locker room exhausted. (He came to the locker room very tired).
15. I don't have a penny left. (I spent a lot of money).
16. This business is a goose that lays golden eggs. (The business is profitable).
17. For your professional career, only you can choose the path. (Each one chooses his career path).
18. She passed a lot of water under the bridge. (A long time passed and a lot happened).
19. That woman broke his heart. (That woman hurt him with her attitude).
20. She is a cute girl dressed in silk. (She wants to pretend to be something that she is not).
21. She has eyes of heaven. (She has blue eyes).
22. I have butterflies in my stomach. (I'm in love).
23. Your son is a bottomless barrel. (Your child eats too much).
24. The line between opinion and insult is very thin. (The line between opinion and insult can be confusing.)
25. All the vultures have already gathered. (People who hope to take advantage of the situation approached).
26. Don't lose your head for a love. (Don't act irrational about being in love.)
27. A screw came loose. (He lost his mind).
28. That woman is a hottie. (That woman is very beautiful).
29. You have to put the batteries. (You have to put energy and determination).
30. We are blown away. (We are very tired or battered).
31. I'm dying of thirst. (I am very thirsty).
32. It is an inexhaustible mine of knowledge. (He has a lot of knowledge).
33. He was touching the sky with his hands. (He was feeling a very intense joy).
34. His eyes bulged. (He was very surprised).
35. The dog didn't fire me. (No person came to fire me).
36. The bride and groom are in the clouds. (The couple are very happy).
37. He is deaf to claims. (It does not pay attention to the claims).
38. I speak to the stones. (Nobody listens to me when I speak).
39. It is like giving flowers to pigs. (It is offering something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate it.)
40. I was left without the bread and without the cake. (I lost two chances because I couldn't decide between them.)
41. The devil knows more as an old man than as a devil. (Age gives wisdom).
42. Not a soul was left. (No one was left).
43. I don't want you to say a peep. (I don't want you to say anything).
44. If you want the rose, you must accept the thorns. (You must tolerate negative situations that inevitably occur associated with positive situations).
45. Words are taken by the wind. (It is better to put the agreements in writing).
46. We haven't seen each other in a century. (We haven't seen each other for a long time).
47. We ate a whole cow. (We ate a lot).
48. I had to bite my tongue. (I had to shut up and not say what I thought).
49. They arrived with all the plans already cooked. (They arrived and had everything arranged).
50. They are in the spring of life. (They are young).

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