figure of speech
US /ˌfɪɡjər əv ˈspiːtʃ/
UK /ˌfɪɡjər əv ˈspiːtʃ/
1.
a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect
:
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When she said her heart was broken, she was using a figure of speech.
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The phrase 'raining cats and dogs' is a common figure of speech for heavy rain.