Which term means a phrase whose meaning is not literal?

• A. Expository essay
• B. Tone
• C. Allusions
• D. Idiom

Answer: (D)

Understanding figurative language helps you read beyond the surface. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning isn’t tied to the literal definitions of its words; you have to know the common figurative meaning. For example, “kick the bucket” doesn’t mean to strike a bucket—it means to die, and “break a leg” is a way to wish someone good luck. Expository essays are informational writing, not about non-literal meanings. Tone describes the writer’s attitude, not a phrase’s meaning. Allusions are references to other works or people, which rely on outside knowledge rather than a non-literal meaning built into the phrase itself. So the term that means a phrase whose meaning is not literal is idiom.