What are figures of speech in simple words?

Figures of speech are ways of using words that go beyond their plain meaning or arrange them in a striking pattern. “I’m drowning in emails” is one: nobody is in water, but the picture shows how overwhelmed the speaker feels.

What are the main types of figures of speech?

Most are either tropes or schemes. Tropes change what words mean (metaphor, simile, metonymy, hyperbole, irony). Schemes change how words are arranged or how they sound (alliteration, anaphora, antithesis, chiasmus).

What does “it’s just a figure of speech” mean?

It means “don’t take my words literally.” People say it after using an exaggeration or an image, for example when a friend worries after hearing “My boss will kill me if I’m late.”

What is the plural of figure of speech?

The plural is figures of speech. The main noun, figure, takes the -s. “Figure of speeches” is a common mistake.

Is an idiom a figure of speech?

Many idioms began as figures of speech that became fixed. “Break the ice” was once a fresh metaphor. Today it is a ready-made phrase whose meaning you must learn, so it is usually called an idiom.

How do I write about a figure of speech in an essay?

Name the figure, quote the words, then explain the effect. For example: “The writer uses a metaphor, ‘a sea of paperwork,’ to suggest that the character feels overwhelmed.” The effect matters more than the label.

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Contains: HO
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