3 ms·
Since "shocked" is a synonym of "surprised" / "startled", I think literally is fair in this case. I'd believe that he was literally surprised by the news!
by kemayo 14y ago
Since "shocked" is a synonym of "surprised" / "startled", I think literally is fair in this case. I'd believe that he was literally surprised by the news!
- baddox 14y agoAlso, one common usage of "literally" is to describe a figurative or hyperbolic phrase. This usage is well over a century old, and I doubt you can find an English dictionary which does not contain it.