1. to interpret or represent something in an exact, word-for-word manner without metaphorical meaning
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘literalize’

Examples

• The student literalizes every phrase in the poem instead of looking for deeper meaning.
• She literalizes the biblical text rather than considering its symbolic interpretation.
• The translator literalizes the idiom, making it sound awkward in English.
• He literalizes the metaphor about ‘breaking the ice’ and talks about actual frozen water.
• The artist literalizes abstract concepts by creating concrete visual representations.
• When she literalizes the expression ‘time flies,’ she draws a clock with wings.