Literally vs.
Figuratively
Wrong: I was literally
buried under paperwork yesterday.
Right: I was buried under paperwork yesterday.
Wrong: Having a baby literally ended her life.
Right: Having a baby ended her life, figuratively speaking.
Literally means actually. Therefore, unless a huge pile of papers actually
toppled over and trapped you beneath it, don’t say literally. If that was what happened, you might be advised to
wear a medical alert bracelet so the search-and-rescue team can find you, in case it ever happens again—or change to a
safer job.
If you’re not speaking
literally, but using a figure of speech or metaphor, then say figuratively.
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