figure of speech
noun phrase
Pronunciation: ˈfɪɡjər əv spiːtʃ
Definition
A word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical effect, vividness, or emphasis.
Examples
Calling a difficult task a 'piece of cake' is a common figure of speech that implies ease.
Poetry often relies on every figure of speech imaginable to evoke deep emotional responses.
He didn't mean he was literally burning, but used the figure of speech 'burning with curiosity' to describe his intense interest.
Synonyms of figure of speech
Words with a similar meaning to figure of speech:
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