For those of us that might need the reminder, an “idiom” is a linguistic expression which takes a phrase that may mean one thing literally, and gives it an entirely different meaning. We’ve heard most if not all of them throughout our lives, and so without having to even think about it the actual meanings of the words in the strange order they appear have always been understandable for us. But for someone who is just learning the English language, the literal translation may have them shaking their heads in confusion. Expressions such as, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” or “You’re pulling my leg” would really be quite unusual things to happen if the phrases were taken literally.
Well, you’re a storyteller. And for those of us who wield words, anything is possible.
Write a short story involving an idiom. Only, in the fictional world you create, whatever idiom you choose to work with is applied in a literal sense. Then think about how your characters will conduct themselves in such a world. What would a society look like if it literally rained cats and dogs every once in a while? Would everyone gleefully await the arrival of a new pet, or would people be sick of the sight of them? Some more morbid fantasies might work around the idioms “Let someone off the hook,” or “Pull yourself together.” In your world, if a person feels “up in the air” about something, do they literally lift off the ground? Sounds like that could pose a problem!
Working to turn something figurative into something literal is a great way to really stretch the imagination. Have fun with this one!