Some people use the two terms interchangeably, like if they had the same meaning, however, if we study the real meaning of each of the two terms, we come to understand that there are not. Therefore, we have to be careful when we use them.
"Metaphoric' refers to the use of one word or phrase, to replace another simpler word or phrase in a descriptive sentence. The purpose is to emphasize an idea or quality. An example of metaphoric is: "I am swimming in an ocean of bills" which is a more colorful and emphatic way of saying "I have a lot of bills."
The term "Idiomatic" on the other hand, refers to a particular way speakers of a given language, word their sentences. For example it is well known that in Spanish all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them; The "table" is feminine, and when referring to a table in Spanish, one must use the feminine article in front of it: "La mesa." The last is idiomatic of Spanish and is different from English, where "The Table " is neutral, no gender attached to it.
Finally, metaphoric and idiomatic are two different terms, and words, and should not be used interchangeably.
The term "Idiomatic" on the other hand, refers to a particular way speakers of a given language, word their sentences. For example it is well known that in Spanish all inanimate objects have a gender assigned to them; The "table" is feminine, and when referring to a table in Spanish, one must use the feminine article in front of it: "La mesa." The last is idiomatic of Spanish and is different from English, where "The Table " is neutral, no gender attached to it.
Finally, metaphoric and idiomatic are two different terms, and words, and should not be used interchangeably.
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