An idiomatic phrase and a literal phrase differ primarily in their meanings and usage:
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Literal Phrase: This type of phrase conveys its meaning in a straightforward, dictionary-definition sense. The words in a literal phrase mean exactly what they say. For example, "He's feeling blue" would be interpreted literally as someone being cold in temperature if taking every word at face value, though in common usage, it has a different meaning.
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Idiomatic Phrase: An idiomatic phrase, on the other hand, has a figurative meaning that is not deducible from the literal meanings of its individual words. Idioms often carry cultural significance and may not make logical sense outside of that context. For example, "He's feeling blue" is an idiomatic expression meaning that someone is feeling sad or depressed.
In summary, the key difference is that idiomatic phrases convey meanings that are culturally and contextually specific, while literal phrases interpret meanings directly based on the words used.
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