The term you're looking for that refers to language that might seem figurative or nonsensical but actually conveys meaning directly is "idiom." Idioms often have meanings that cannot be inferred from the literal meanings of the individual words.
Here’s a brief overview of the terms you’ve mentioned:
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Figurative Language: This refers to language that uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful. It deviates from literal meanings to convey complex ideas or emotions.
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Personification: This is a form of figurative language where human traits or qualities are attributed to non-human entities or objects (e.g., "The wind whispered through the trees").
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Simile: A comparison between two different things using "like" or "as" (e.g., "As brave as a lion").
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Hyperbole: This involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally (e.g., "I could sleep for a thousand years").
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Metaphor: A figure of speech that involves an implicit comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting they are alike in some way (e.g., "Time is a thief").
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Idiom: A group of words whose meaning is not deducible from the individual words (e.g., "It's raining cats and dogs," meaning it's raining heavily).
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Literal Language: This refers to language that means exactly what it says, without exaggeration or metaphor.
So, if you are focusing on phrases that may not make sense literally but convey a specific meaning, idioms are the best example.
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