0 an expression that uses words to mean something different than what they usually mean: --
I just used that as a figure of speech.
But there it was not merely a figure of speech—it was actually taking place.
That, of course, is only a figure of speech: one does not usually shear lambs.
Nevertheless, allow me a reformulation that is not a figure of speech.
That was not claptrap; it was a figure of speech, and it happens to be true.
I hope that it was a figure of speech.
I am using a figure of speech to demonstrate the seriousness of the issue.
I do not use it as a figure of speech.
