literal

I was using the word in its literal sense.我用的是这个词的本义。

The literal meaning of “know your ropes” is “to know a lot about ropes,” while figuratively it means “to know a lot about how to do something.”*know your ropes的字面意思是“很会运用绳索”，而它的比喻义则指“做事很有窍门”。

a literal translation of a book一本书的直译

The story he told was basically true, even if it wasn't the literal truth.他讲的事，即便不是确切的事实，但也基本属实。

He was a very literal [=literal-minded] man.他是个很缺乏想象力的人。