Strictly Speaking for Dummies

Strictly speaking, the phrase "strictly speaking" is a fancy way of saying that we are going to look at something in a really specific and precise way. It's sort of like zooming in really closely on a particular part of something, like using a magnifying glass to examine the tiny details.

Let's imagine you have a cookie. Now, when we talk about the entire cookie, we might describe it as "delicious," "chocolatey," or "crunchy." But if we look at it strictly speaking, we are examining just one tiny part of the cookie, maybe a small crumb. And when we do that, we might say that the crumb is "circular," "brown," or "fragile." So, strictly speaking, we're focusing on a very specific aspect or detail of something, looking at it under a microscope, if you will.

Now, let's explore strictly speaking from another perspective. Imagine you and your friends are playing a game of hide-and-seek. The rules of the game clearly say that everyone has to close their eyes and count to twenty before they begin searching for the hidden players. So, when we say "strictly speaking," we mean that we are strictly following the rules, doing exactly what we're supposed to do. In this case, "strictly speaking" means adhering very closely to the specific instructions or guidelines that have been set.

To sum it up, strictly speaking means focusing on the smallest details or following the rules exactly as they are written. It's like looking at one tiny crumb of a cookie or playing a game and following the rules without bending or breaking them. So, whenever you hear or see the phrase "strictly speaking," remember that it's all about being super specific or staying within the limits or guidelines that have been set.