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Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as". Metaphors are non-literal and transfer meaning from one item to another through their similarities. They are used in creative writing to convey ideas vividly and leave lasting impressions. Common types of metaphors include absolute, dead, extended, implied, mixed, and root metaphors. Examples show how metaphors can express feelings, behaviors, settings, love, and heartbreak in imaginative yet non-literal ways.

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372 views

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as". Metaphors are non-literal and transfer meaning from one item to another through their similarities. They are used in creative writing to convey ideas vividly and leave lasting impressions. Common types of metaphors include absolute, dead, extended, implied, mixed, and root metaphors. Examples show how metaphors can express feelings, behaviors, settings, love, and heartbreak in imaginative yet non-literal ways.

Uploaded by

JClarence Hermo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is the definition of a metaphor?

A metaphor, simply put, is a figure of speech that


contains an implied comparison. Metaphors are used when words or phrases normally
associated with one type of item or concept are applied to something that is not
normally associated with that terminology.

Metaphors are non-literal figures of speech. They are not, however, fallacies or errors,
because metaphors are not intended to be literal. They are a subset of figurative
language used to convey a message that differs from the literal denotative meaning of
the word or phrase used. They are used in creative writing, such as poetry and fiction,
as well as other forms of writing, such as speeches and everyday conversation.

In communication, metaphors are used to illustrate or explain something by comparing


it to something else. Metaphors serve a variety of purposes:

• assist people in vividly visualizing unfamiliar concepts;

• meaningfully explain unfamiliar situations;

• add variety and interest to a person's writing or conversation;

• create strong images and leave lasting impressions;

• pair the intangible with the literal;

• impact readers and audience members

Here are some examples

Metaphors can be useful in expressing the extent or type of feelings a person is


experiencing.

1. His words cut deeper than a knife. Words don't materialize into sharp
objects. In this metaphor, someone has said something hurtful to another.
2. I feel the stench of failure coming on. Failure isn't fun but it doesn't smell.
So, when this metaphor is used, it means one of life's disappointments is on the
way.
3. I'm drowning in a sea of grief. Here, grief is so overwhelming that the
person feels helpless, like they're being pulled underwater.
4. I'm feeling blue. Until we become like the little girl in Willy Wonka's Chocolate
Factory, none of us are likely to turn as blue as a blueberry. This metaphor
means someone is sad.
5. She's going through a rollercoaster of emotions. Our emotions can't take a
ride on a rollercoaster. This metaphor simply means the person's going through
a lot of different moods.

Metaphors Describing Behavior


Metaphors are often used to describe behavior.

1. I think he's about to fade off to sleep. Fortunately, none of us fade into
thin air when we fall asleep. This expression simply means that someone has
drifted into a state of slumber.
2. He really flared up my temper. When someone flares up your temper,
flames don't spew out of your body, you're just deeply angry.
3. He reeks of infidelity. When this is said about a cheating partner, it doesn't
mean there's an actual odor. This metaphor is saying it's obvious the person
is a liar and a cheat.
4. She was fishing for compliments. The woman isn't literally casting a lure
to hook compliments out of the ocean. Rather, it's a dead metaphor used to
signify a desire for accolades.
5. She has such a bubbly personality. No one's personality can bubble up
like a glass of champagne. This metaphor is used to signify someone who's
especially cheerful.

Metaphors About Love and Heartbreak

Conversations about love and loss are often filled with metaphors.

1. He broke my heart. Your heart isn't literally broken; you're just feeling hurt
and sad.
2. He is the apple of my eye. There is, of course, no apple in someone's eye.
The apple is someone held dear.
3. It's raining men. "Hallelujah!," sang The Weather Girls. No, men don't literally
pour from the sky. This simply indicates that a lucky lady has a lot of male
suitors.
4. Love is fire. Of course, love isn't literally fire. But, for someone seeking to
explain a love that is both passionate and dangerous, this can be an effective
metaphor.
5. You light up my life. Of course, no one can provide physical light. This
expression famously used by singer Debby Boone is simply saying that someone
brings them joy.

Metaphors About Setting

Sometimes a metaphor is the best way to convey what the setting is like.

1. The curtain of night fell upon us. The evening did not develop into a velvet
curtain. It just got dark outside. Simple words are used to paint a colorful picture
of how quickly night arrived.
2. The moonlight sparkled brighter than a gypsy. The moonlight didn't
transform into a colorful gypsy. Rather, it lit up the night with sparkling radiance.
3. The sun is a creature of habit. The sun, of course, is not a creature at all.
However, this metaphor conveys the pattern and repetition of sunrise and
sunset.
4. Warmth blanketed the area. While temperature can't be thrown over an area
the way a blanket can, it can settle in and stay in place over a widespread area.
5. The cold air pierced his skin. While cold can't actually cut through a person's
skin, this metaphor describes the biting feel of extremely cold temperatures.

Types of Metaphors

Just as there are many ways to paint metaphorical pictures, there are many different
types of metaphors. Popular forms include.

Absolute Metaphors - These metaphors compare two things that have no obvious
connection in order to make a striking point. For example, "She's walking a tightrope
with her grades this semester."

Dead Metaphors - Like clichés, these metaphors have lost their punch through over-
usage. Discover examples of dead metaphors.

Extended Metaphors - These are lengthy metaphors intended to create deep


comparisons. Review a selection of extended metaphor examples.

Implied Metaphors - These metaphors compare two things without using specific terms.
There are many examples of implied metaphors.
Mixed Metaphors - These metaphors jumble comparisons together, often without any
logic. For example, "In the heat of the moment, she turned to ice and danced to the
beat of her own drum."

Root Metaphors - These metaphors are so rooted in everyday language and


assumptions, we hardly even recognize them as metaphors. The phrase "Life is a
journey" is an example.

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