Here's a breakdown:
* Figurative meaning: The expression is not meant to be taken literally. It conveys a meaning that is beyond the individual words.
* Literal meaning: If you took the words at face value, they wouldn't make sense or wouldn't convey the intended meaning.
Examples:
* "Kick the bucket" - This means "to die," not to literally kick a bucket.
* "Spill the beans" - This means "to reveal a secret," not to physically spill beans.
* "Break a leg" - This is a way to wish someone good luck, not to actually break a leg.
Why we use idioms:
* Color and vibrancy: They add color and vividness to our language.
* Conciseness: They often express complex ideas in a short and memorable way.
* Cultural understanding: They often reflect the culture and history of the language they come from.
Things to remember:
* Idioms are often specific to a particular language or culture.
* They can be tricky for language learners to understand, as the figurative meaning is not always obvious.
* Understanding idioms is important for both understanding and speaking a language fluently.