今日の英語：literally

= 文字通り・まさに。

この語を文字通り「文字通り」だけだと思ってると痛い目にあう。

Adverb[edit]

literally (comparative more literally, superlative most literally)

1. (speech act) word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor quotations ▼

   Synonyms: actually, really

   Antonyms: figuratively, metaphorically, virtually

   When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.

2. (degree, proscribed) Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes) quotations ▼

   Synonym: virtually

   He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.

literally - Wiktionary

 2.が曲者。ただの強調として使われる。1の同義語actually,反義語virtually。2の同義語virtuallyって真逆じゃんか。なので例文のように、

1. I literally jumped for joy,
2. he literally jumped twenty feet in the air

 1は実際飛んでるけど、2は飛んでない。