Why Do Writers Use Figurative Language?
Have you ever heard someone say, "It's raining cats and dogs"? You know they don't mean animals are falling from the sky. They mean it's raining very hard. This is figurative language (words or phrases that mean something different from their literal, or dictionary, definition). Writers and speakers have used figurative phrases for thousands of years to make ideas more vivid, emotional, and memorable.
On the SHSAT, you will see reading passages that include figurative phrases. The test will ask you to figure out what these phrases actually mean in context. Understanding the history of figurative language helps you see why it shows up so often in literature.
The big question this lesson answers is: When a phrase in a passage doesn't make sense literally, how do you figure out what the author really means?
Core Principles of Figurative Phrase Meaning
Before you can answer SHSAT questions about figurative phrases, you need to understand a few key ideas. These four principles will guide you every time you see a phrase that doesn't seem to make literal sense.
Literal vs. Figurative
Context Is King
Emotional Tone Matters
Replace and Reread
How Figurative Phrases Work — A Visual Guide
The diagram below shows the process your brain should follow when you encounter a phrase in a reading passage. You start by reading the phrase, then you check whether it makes literal sense. If it doesn't, you move into detective mode and use context clues to figure out the figurative meaning.
Notice how the flowchart branches at Step 2. If the phrase makes perfect sense when you read it literally, it probably isn't figurative. But if the literal meaning sounds strange or impossible (like "time flies"), that's your signal to dig deeper using context and tone.
Types of Figurative Phrases You'll See on the SHSAT
To decode a figurative phrase, it helps to know the main types of figurative language. Each type works a little differently, but they all share one thing in common: the words don't mean exactly what they say.
The Big Six Types
| Type | What It Does | Example | Figurative Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metaphor | Compares two things directly (no "like" or "as") | "The classroom was a zoo." | The classroom was loud and chaotic. |
| Simile | Compares two things using "like" or "as" | "She ran like the wind." | She ran very fast. |
| Idiom | A common phrase whose meaning can't be guessed from individual words | "He let the cat out of the bag." | He accidentally revealed a secret. |
| Personification | Gives human qualities to non-human things | "The wind whispered through the trees." | The wind blew gently and softly. |
| Hyperbole | Extreme exaggeration for effect | "I've told you a million times!" | I've told you many, many times. |
| Symbolism | An object stands for a bigger idea | "A light at the end of the tunnel." | Hope or a sign that a difficult time is ending. |
Using Context Clues to Unlock Meaning
The most powerful tool for figuring out a figurative phrase is context (the words and sentences surrounding the phrase). Context clues act like puzzle pieces that help you build the full picture of what the author means.
The diagram below shows a sample passage with a figurative phrase highlighted. Arrows point to the context clues that help you figure out the phrase's meaning. Study how each clue connects to the final interpretation.
Three Places to Look for Context Clues
- Before the phrase: What situation or feeling has the author described leading up to the figurative phrase?
- Transition words: Words like "but," "however," "although," and "instead" signal a shift in meaning or direction.
- After the phrase: What happens as a result? The outcome often reveals what the figurative phrase was describing.
Worked Example — SHSAT-Style Question
Let's walk through a full SHSAT-style question together, step by step. Follow along and notice how each step brings you closer to the correct answer.
Common Traps & How to Avoid Them
The SHSAT is designed to test careful reading. The test-makers include wrong answer choices that look tempting. Knowing these common traps will help you avoid mistakes.
| Trap | What It Looks Like | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Literal Lure | An answer choice gives the dictionary meaning of one word in the phrase. Example: choosing "a barrel" for "powder keg." | Ask yourself: "Does this make sense in the sentence?" If it only matches one word, it's probably wrong. |
| Wrong Tone | The answer has the right general idea but the wrong feeling. Example: choosing "exciting" when the passage mood is actually fearful. | Always check the emotional tone of the passage. Is it positive, negative, or neutral? Your answer should match. |
| Too Extreme | The answer goes further than the passage supports. Example: choosing "total destruction" when the passage only suggests frustration. | Stick closely to what the passage actually says. Don't add drama that isn't there. |
| Partially Correct | The answer is half right but misses a key part of the meaning. | Choose the answer that captures the FULL meaning of the phrase, not just part of it. |
Figurative Phrases vs. Vocabulary-in-Context Questions
On the SHSAT, you'll see two related question types. Both ask "what does this mean in the passage," but they work a bit differently. Understanding the difference helps you use the right strategy.
| Feature | Figurative Phrase Meaning | Vocabulary in Context |
|---|---|---|
| What's being asked | The meaning of a multi-word phrase that isn't literally true | The meaning of a single word with multiple dictionary definitions |
| Example | "What does 'burning bridges' mean in line 12?" | "What does 'sharp' mean in line 5?" |
| Key strategy | Use context to figure out the idea behind the image | Use context to pick which definition of the word fits |
| Common mistake | Choosing the literal meaning of the phrase | Choosing the most common definition of the word (which may not fit) |
| Shared skill | Both require reading the surrounding sentences carefully and using the Replace & Reread technique | Both require reading the surrounding sentences carefully and using the Replace & Reread technique |
As you move toward high school English, you'll encounter more complex figurative language—extended metaphors (a metaphor that continues across several sentences), allegory (a whole story that stands for something else), and irony (saying the opposite of what you mean). The decoding skills you learn now will serve as your foundation for tackling all of these.
Practice Problems
Try these five problems on your own. For each one, use the five-step process: read the phrase, check if it's literal, find context clues, consider the tone, and replace and reread. Answers and explanations are below each question.
Lesson Summary
Figurative phrases are expressions whose meaning goes beyond the literal definition of the words. On the SHSAT, you'll be asked to determine what these phrases really mean. The key types include metaphors, similes, idioms, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism. You don't need to name them—you just need to understand what they mean.
Follow the five-step process every time: read the phrase, check if it's literal or figurative, examine context clues before and after, consider the emotional tone, and finally replace and reread with each answer choice. Watch out for traps like the literal lure and wrong tone answers. Always go back to the passage to confirm your choice!