Figurative Language

• Lesson
• Practice
• Alliteration Classics

An idiom is an expression common to a particular culture that does not mean what it literally says. You have to learn the meanings of idioms, just like you learn the meanings of words.

• Lesson
• Practice
• Paint by Idioms
• Idiom Online Dictionary

Similes and metaphors are both used to make comparisons.

Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare things. Because they both make comparisons, all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes.

Here are some examples of similes and metaphors:

Life is like a box of chocolates. (Simile)My life is an open book. (Metaphor)That baby is as cute as a button! (Simile)

Baby, you’re a firework. (Metaphor)

• Lesson
• Practice
• Drag and Drop Metaphors

• Lesson
• Practice

• Lesson
• Practice
• Personification Classics

• Lesson
• Practice
• Simile Poems

Adages and proverbs are types of common expressions and sayings that have meanings beyond what can be understood by their individual words.

Wise Sayings - Adages

An adage is a widely known, short but memorable saying that is considered true by many people. It expresses truth about human nature.

• Birds of a feather flock together.
• Opposites attract.
• Don't judge a book by its cover.
• The clothes make the man.
• The early bird gets the worm.
• Better late than never.
• Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
• Better safe than sorry.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• What you don't know can't hurt you.
• Seek and ye shall find.

Wise Sayings - Proverbs

A proverb is a wise and practical saying about life in general. It is a piece of common sense expressed in a way that is easy to understand. It offers advice or instruction on how to live your life.

Common Proverbs:

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Meaning: to risk losing everything by putting all your efforts or all your money into one plan or one course of action

Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Meaning: Don't get rid of something valuable along with something undesirable by mistake.

The early bird gets the worm.

Meaning: If you do something early or before anyone else, you will have an advantage and be successful.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Meaning: It's better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Meaning: You should repair something as soon as it is damaged. If not, you will have a much bigger and more expensive repair job later. Do it now and you'll need one stitch. Do it later and you'll need 9 stitches! (Why nine and not eight or ten? Because "nine" rhymes, approximately, with "time".)

• stitch (noun) = a link made with thread in sewing
• in time = not late
  • Figurative Language - Alliteration or Simile - Determine whether the text is an example of alliteration or simile.
  • Figurative Language - Analogies - Determine the analogy.
  • Figurative Language - Eye on Idioms - Learn about and practice idioms.
  • Figurative Language - Folktales from Asia - Practice the skill of figurative language using the text Folktales from Asia.
  • Figurative Language - Island of the Blue Dolphins - Practice the skill of figurative language using the text Island of the Blue Dolphins.
  • Figurative Language - Paint by Idioms - Practice determining the meaning of idioms.
  • Figurative Language - Papa Tells Chita a Story - Practice the figurative language skill using the text Papa Tells Chita a Story.
  • Figurative Language - The Baker's Neighbor - Practice the skill of figurative language with the text The Baker's Neighbor.
  • Figurative Language - The Emperor and the Kite - Practice the skill of figurative language using the text The Emperor and the Kite.
  • Figurative Language - The Garden of Happiness - Practice the skill of figurative language using the text The Garden of Happiness.