* Literal meaning: The dog was scratching frantically, because he had a flea infestation.
* Figurative meaning: The small apartment felt like a flea market, packed with furniture and belongings.
* Idiom: She was so excited about the job offer, she jumped at it like a flea on a hot stove.
* Historical reference: The flea was responsible for spreading the bubonic plague, which devastated Europe in the Middle Ages.
* Comparative: The tiny insect looked like a flea compared to the massive spider.
Let me know if you'd like to see more examples!