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Dr Ray
Cross-class exercises

Literal vs Figurative VI


 For the exercises below choose the words to complete the figurative
literal: You missed your opportunity.
figurative: That ship has 1 .


literal: The boss told me directly.
figurative: I heard the news 2 from the horse’s mouth.


literal: Why are you ignoring me?
figurative: Why are you giving me the 3 shoulder?


literal: She has a new opportunity.
figurative: Opportunity 4 at her door.


literal: It was a sunny morning.
figurative: The sun 5 me this morning as I left for work.


literal: He is very clumsy
figurative: He’s like a 6 in a china shop.


literal: I'm paying by credit card.
figurative: I'm paying with 7 .
Answerliteral: You missed your opportunity.
figurative: That ship has sailed.

literal: The boss told me directly.
figurative: I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.

literal: Why are you ignoring me?
figurative: Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?

literal: She has a new opportunity.
figurative: Opportunity knocked at her door.

literal: It was a sunny morning.
figurative: The sun greeted me this morning as I left for work.

literal: He is very clumsy
figurative: He’s like a bull in a china shop.

literal: I'm paying by credit card.
figurative: I'm paying with plastic.
literal: We need to count how many people are here.
figurative: We need to get a 1 count.


literal: Let's schedule a meeting next week to discuss innovative ideas.
figurative: Let's touch base next week to 2 some game-changing ideas.


literal: Our team needs to come up with unusual and new ideas to overcome this challenge.
figurative: Our team needs to think outside the 3 to overcome this challenge.


literal: The company is being investigated by the police.
figurative: The company is in 4 water due to suspicious finances.


literal: We should keep our plans and intentions confidential during the negotiation.
figurative: We should keep our cards close to our 5 during the negotiation.


literal: The team needs to reduce expenses and be more frugal during this period of budget cuts.
figurative: The team needs to 6 their belts during this budget cut.


literal: Let's identify and resolve the issues or problems in the new process.
figurative: Let's iron out the 7 in the new process.
Answerliteral: We need to count how many people are here.
figurative: We need to get a head count.

literal: Let's schedule a meeting next week to discuss innovative ideas.
figurative: Let's touch base next week to brainstorm some game-changing ideas.

literal: Our team needs to come up with unusual and new ideas to overcome this challenge.
figurative: Our team needs to think outside the box to overcome this challenge.

literal: The company is being investigated by the police.
figurative: The company is in hot water due to suspicious finances.

literal: We should keep our plans and intentions confidential during the negotiation.
figurative: We should keep our cards close to our chest during the negotiation.

literal: The team needs to reduce expenses and be more frugal during this period of budget cuts.
figurative: The team needs to tighten their belts during this budget cut.

literal: Let's identify and resolve the issues or problems in the new process.
figurative: Let's iron out the kinks in the new process.
literal: The team must work well together to meet the deadline.
figurative: The team needs to 1 to meet the tight deadline.

literal: We should stay well-informed and aware of current industry trends.
figurative: We should keep our fingers on the 2 of industry trends.

literal: The manager's decision was easily understood and transparent.
figurative: The manager's instructions were 3 .

literal: The company is facing challenging economic conditions.
figurative: The company is navigating through stormy economic seas.

literal: The new policy has both positive and negative effects on employee morale.
figurative: The new policy is a 4 sword for employee morale.

literal: The sales team is engaging in activities that will lead to future business growth.
figurative: Our sales team is 5 for future growth.

literal: The project faced a problem, and we need to fix it.
figurative: The project hit a 6 , and we need to find a detour.
Answerliteral: The team must work well together to meet the deadline.
figurative: The team needs to pull together to meet the tight deadline.

literal: We should stay well-informed and aware of current industry trends.
figurative: We should keep our fingers on the pulse of industry trends.

literal: The manager's decision was easily understood and transparent.
figurative: The manager's instructions were crystal clear.

literal: The company is facing challenging economic conditions.
figurative: The company is navigating through stormy economic seas.

literal: The new policy has both positive and negative effects on employee morale.
figurative: The new policy is a double-edged sword for employee morale.

literal: The sales team is engaging in activities that will lead to future business growth.
figurative: Our sales team is planting seeds for future growth.

literal: The project faced a problem, and we need to fix it.
figurative: The project hit a roadblock, and we need to find a detour.

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