40 Hilariously Bizarre Lithuanian Idioms That I Illustrated Literally With The Help Of AI

When "hanging noodles" becomes a literal activity.

In this project, I don't aim to convey the actual meaning of idioms. On the contrary, I rely on their direct, literal interpretation. For example, the Lithuanian phrase "kabinti makaronus" (which figuratively means "to lie" or "to deceive") is transformed into a group of women who aren't lying to anyone—they're simply hanging boiled spaghetti to dry. Another phrase, "Akis bado" (which means "to reproach" or "to criticize"), is visualized as a character literally stabbing a plate full of eyeballs with pins. These compositions come to life with the help of advanced AI technology, enabling the creation of highly detailed and realistic visualizations.

AI as a creative tool, not a replacement.

I see artificial intelligence as a new creative medium rather than a competitor to traditional photography. AI allows us to visualize how idioms would look if understood literally. It’s a kind of visual experiment with language—both amusing and slightly absurd.

While AI offers limitless possibilities for image generation, my real work lies in developing ideas and shaping them into final pieces. The success of Nu, literaliAI proves this—on social media, the project sparks curiosity, with audiences competing to guess which idiom is hidden behind each image.

The beauty of the Lithuanian language through a visual lens.

This project is not just about humor; it also has an educational aspect. Many idioms are used automatically in everyday speech without much thought about their origins or meanings. Nu, literaliAI offers a new way to see them—sometimes absurd, sometimes ironic, but always creative.

I wanted to showcase the absurd beauty of our language, and it seems I have found a way to make AI understand Lithuanian humor.

This project is a perfect example of how technology can be more than just a practical tool—it can also be a source of inspiration for artists. By interpreting Lithuanian idioms through AI, we highlight the uniqueness and vividness of the Lithuanian language in an entirely new way.