Literally Meaning Figuratively

literally \Lit"er*al*ly :adv.

1. emphatically. syn. EmphaticLike [read: "emphatic-like", not "emphatic 'like'"]

2. figuratively.

Usage Note: Usually uttered perfervidly.

I literally died of embarrassment. -- JosephTurian

int.

1. used to express irony or lack of truth. syn. "Not!"

I just put the check in the mail. Literally! -- JosephTurian

File under: LanguageDrift?, CategoryIdiom

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• cf. SimileBecameMetaphor
• cf. RealSoonNow
• cf. BadMeaningBad? not BadMeaningGood