List of Figuratives
Here is The List of Figuratives. In traditional analysis, words in figurative expressions connote additional layers of meaning, while words in literal expressions denote what they mean according to common or dictionary usage. When the human ear or eye receives the message, the mind must interpret the data to convert it into meaning.
What are Figuratives? On many occassions, the words may not convey the literal meaning of them. They may convey the indirect meanings which may be just the opposite to their literal meanings. Such symbolical and metaphorical meanings are called Figuratives. They contain the figure of speech.
Let us see few hundreds of such Figuratives here.The Figuratives have been arranged in the alphabetical order. Go to the list by clicking that particular page.
Let us see few examples of Figuratives to make the point clear.
Example-1:
The Phrase Yellow Press does not give the literal meaning that the press which is in Yellow color.On the contrary, it conveys the meaning of The News Papers which publish sensational and unscrupulous stories about crime, sex etc...
Example-2:
The Phrase In the same boat does not convey the literal meaning. It has the figurative meaning that in the same misfortune or circumstances.
Here is the list of Figurative Expressions beginning with H.
Hairs:
To split hairs – to argue about trifles
Hand:
From hand to hand – from one person to another
To take a person in hand – to undertake to correct a person of his faults; to discipline
To live from hand to mouth – to spend all one’s earnings; to make no provision for the future
Hard:
Hard and fast rules – strict rules
Hard of hearing – almost deaf
A die-hard – one who yields a point only after a struggle
Hare:
To run with the hare and hunt with the hounds – to act treacherously; to play both sides
Harness:
Back in harness – to resume work after a holiday
To die in harness – to continue at one’s occupation until death
Harp:
To harp on the same string – to refer repeatedly to the same subject
Haste:
More haste less speed – Work done hurriedly is apt to be badly done, necessitating the job being done all over again. The overall time spent in usually more than if the job had been carefully done from the start.
Hat:
To hand up one’s hat – to make oneself comfortable in another person’s home
Hay:
Make hay while the sun shines – Take advantage of all opportunities
To seek a needle in a haystack – to expend a great deal of energy over something trifling
Head:
To keep one’s head on – to remain calm
To lose one’s head – to be carried away by excitement
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown – rulers and other people in authority have no easy time – their responsibilities weigh heavily upon them
Heart:
To have one’s heart in one’s mouth – to be afraid
His heart is in his boots – he is a coward
Hector:
To hector a person – to bully someone
Heels:
To show a clean pair of heels – to run at a great speed
To take to one’s heels – to run at great speed
Hermetically sealed:
Hermetically sealed – sealed closely and perfectly so as to exclude air
Herod:
To out-Herod Herod – to outdo someone in a quality for which he is noted
High:
On one’s high horse – arrogant; affecting superiority
With a high hand – in a dictatorial or arbitrary manner
High – flown language – bombastic language
Hole:
To pick holes in – to find fault with
Hoof:
To show the cloven hoof – to reveal one’s evil intentions
Hook:
By hook or crook – by fair means or foul
Horse:
To flog a dead horse – to attempt to put life into a movement this is past all hopes of resuscitation, to make fruitless efforts
Hot:
To be in hot water- to be in trouble or difficulty
Hour:
At the eleventh hour – at the last moment
The darkest hour is nearest the dawn – Relief is often just around the corner when things appear at their blackest
Humble:
To eat humble pie – to submit oneself to humiliation and insult; to apologies
Humbly, to take an inferior place
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