Figures of Speech
Children on the autistic spectrum often have speech, language and communication difficulties, and figures of speech and metaphors can be confusing and taken literally. We have included some examples, which can be used to help children make sense of some sayings that many of us take for granted.

Figures of Speech

Children on the autistic spectrum often have speech, language and communication difficulties, and figures of speech and metaphors can be confusing and taken literally. We have included some examples, which can be used to help children make sense of some sayings that many of us take for granted.

I am on top of the world

Children on the autistic spectrum often have speech, language and communication difficulties, and figures of speech and metaphors can be confusing and taken literally. We have included some examples, which can be used to help children make sense of some sayings that many of us take for granted. 

Pigs might fly!		He has got ants in his pants
You are in the dog house		That rings a bell
As flat as a pancake		You are a tough cookie
Don’t waste your breathe		Don’t spill the beans
Give me a break		Hold your horses
Saved by the bell		Put a sock in it
My ears are burning		A pain in the neck
She hit the roof		Pull your socks up
Keep your eyes peeled		That is a rip off
You have turned over a new leaf		You are as fit as a fiddle
He got out of the wrong side of the bed		Keep mum!
Don’t beat about the bush		A storm in a teacup
Don’t let the cat out of the bag		A piece of cake
I have got eyes in the back of my head		Money down the drain
You are too big for your boots		That was a close shave
Hop out of the car		Has the cat got your tongue?
I have got a frog in my throat		Let’s blow the cobwebs away
You are in my bad books		It cost me an arm and a leg
His bark is worse than his bite		That is the last straw
I won’t bite your head off		I am off colour
Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill		He has got the hump
It is not my cup of tea		You mark my word
I am all fingers and thumbs		Keep your fingers crossed
He blew his top		He has got a screw loose
Give me a hand please		Put your cards on the table
You must stand on your own two feet		Something caught my eye
I willl show you the ropes		He is on his last legs
It goes in one ear and out the other		Don’t cry over spilt milk
The grass is greener on the other side		He has got green fingers
You saved my bacon		We are in the same boat
All the world and his wife were there		Get it off your chest
I have got butterflies in my tummy		You are the bee’s knees
Let your hair down		She is a slow coach
Do not put all you eggs in one basket		Has the penny dropped yet?
I have got a trick up my sleeve		It is not the end of the world
There is something fishy going on		You must face the music
Two heads are better than one		She is so stuck up
Has the penny dropped yet?		End of story