Which term best describes expressions that are not literally interpreted and convey figurative meaning?

• A. Adages
• B. Metaphors
• C. Idioms
• D. Similes

Answer: (C)

Figurative language uses expressions whose meanings aren’t tied to the literal words. An idiom is a well-known phrase whose overall meaning isn’t deducible from the individual words—you have to know the conventional meaning. For example, “spill the beans” means to reveal a secret, not to literally pour beans. This fixed, non-literal sense is what makes idioms the best fit for the description. Adages are proverbs with general wisdom, and metaphors or similes convey meaning through comparison, but idioms specifically rely on a figurative sense that can’t be understood from the words alone.