But it is principally upon their own languages that democratic nations attempt to perpetrate innovations. From time to time they resume forgotten expressions in their vocabulary, which they restore to use; or they borrow from some particular class of the community a term peculiar to it, which they introduce with a figurative meaning into the language of daily life. Many expressions which originally belonged to the technical language of a profession or a party, are thus drawn into general circulation.英文原著 · 《Democracy In America-2》
You may be sure that the whole assembly was arrested, too-- figuratively--and stood with eager gaze and open ears. Colonel Bethel, quitting the scarlet-and-purple, flashed into those of the yellows. He knew his nephew was graceless enough; but--to see him with a pair of handcuffs on!英文原著 · 《East Lynne》
'But I am not a devil!' It was obvious that the lips that uttered this were smiling. 'I am not a devil, but only a sinful woman who has lost her way, not figuratively but literally!' She laughed. 'I am frozen and beg for shelter.'英文原著 · 《Father Sergius》
Engri. A neuter affix, composed of the particles 'en' and 'gro,' much used in the formation of figurative terms for things for which there are no positive names in English Gypsy: for example, yag- engri, a fire-thing, which denotes a gun; poggra-mengri, a breaking- thing or mill; 'engri' is changed into 'mengri' when the preceding word terminates in a vowel.英文原著 · 《Gypsy Dictionary》
- I was sticking up for you! - yes, but tom was driving, Lynette. whether he chose to ignore it or try to run the man f the road, it's his decision. let him be in the driver's seat sometimes, literally and figuratively. bringing the score to tom--4 and controlling bitch--0. there's no scoreboard in美剧 · 《Desperate Housewives》
Guys, weed is in my blood, literally and figuratively.美剧 · 《Shameless》