What is the function of the figurative use of language?

语言的比喻用法的功能是什么？

youdao

With special view, this paper will analyses dialect and custom culture from three aspects, that is: the same word shows different figurative use in different areas;

本文从特定视角，即方言词语与地方风俗文化的三个小方面，同一词语在不同地方的不同比喻用法；

youdao

Figurative use of language is an important means to structure word meanings, but the simple distinction between literal-figurative meanings is rather general in understanding figurative USES.

语言的比喻性用法是构建词义的重要途径，但简单的字面义——比喻义的划分会使比喻性语言的理解过于笼统。

youdao

Ian Brookes, consultant editor at Collins English Dictionary, agrees the figurative and metaphorical use of the word crept into the English language as an intensifier.

BBC: Why is 'literally' such a troublesome word?