Figuratively Vs Literally  

Figuratively means metaphorically, and literally describes something that actually happened.
Most of us were taught that figuratively means something other than literal, and that literally means actually or exactly. Somewhere along the line, literally began to be used as, well, figuratively, like this: But they’re also going to create literally a tidal wave of data. There wasn’t an actual tidal wave, just a lot of data.
Here are some examples that make word nerds literally smile: Today, protesters literally occupy Wall Street, camping in Zuccotti Park at the heart of New York’s financial district.   
Figuratively is more imaginative, it’s used when you mean something didn’t really happen. It’s metaphorical, as in these examples with boats and feathers: Besides, figuratively speaking, they are still in the same boat. So Josh—as he figuratively put it—had not a feather to fly with.
Although literally has been horning in on figuratively’s turf, they’re really not the same, in fact the two words are often go together to complete a picture: Watching a waterfall drowns out — literally and figuratively — everyday cares. “The Piano Lesson” tells a more haunting story, both literally and figuratively.

Source: www.vocabulary.com