Which term defines an expression with figurative meaning beyond literal words?

• A. Idiom
• B. Parody
• C. Poetic license
• D. Symbolism

Answer: (A)

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning isn’t tied to the literal meanings of its words; it conveys a figurative sense that native speakers understand from usage. For example, “spill the beans” means to reveal a secret, not literally dropping beans. Parody refers to a humorous imitation of a person or work, not a fixed figurative phrase. Poetic license is the freedom to bend language for effect, and symbolism uses objects or actions to represent deeper ideas, rather than being a phrase with its own figurative meaning. So the term that fits an expression with figurative meaning beyond literal words is idiom.