Which term refers to a group of words whose literal meaning differs from its figurative meaning?

• A. Idiom
• B. Hyperbole
• C. Personification
• D. Oxymoron

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is figurative language—the way a phrase can convey meaning beyond the literal words. An idiom is a group of words whose figurative meaning is established by common usage, and the whole expression can’t be understood by interpreting the words literally. For example, “spill the beans” means to reveal a secret, not literally tipping beans out. This makes idioms different from other figures of speech: hyperbole is exaggeration for emphasis, personification gives human traits to nonhumans, and an oxymoron pairs conflicting terms. Since the description points to a phrase whose literal sense differs from its understood meaning, idiom is the best fit.