Metaphors

So, what is a metaphor? A metaphor is like a simile. That's because it is a comparison that is made between things, which is not always likely or obvious.

However, the explicit use of the word 'like' or 'as' which you see in a simile, is not used in a metaphor which is rather a comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be".

Hence, a metaphor sounds more forceful and suggestive, but is still very common in speech. Common metaphors include "the neck of the woods" or "the foot of the mountain". These can be seen to be similar to similes - they suggest a comparison but do not make it explicitly.

We often use metaphors without realising it. For instance, when we say that your parents 'bark a command' at you, you are comparing them to a dog, and hence engaging in metaphor!

Other Metaphors

A heart of stone (from Rebecca)
He has the heart of a lion
You are the sun in my sky
You are the light in my life
She is my East and my West, my compass.
You had better pull your socks up
Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a cloudy day.
Love is a lemon - either bitter of sweet (from Scott)
Drowning in the sea
Jumping for joy
Rolling in dough
Apple of my eye
Leaping with laughter - From Trinita
The silence was a blood-cudling scream of anguish, set out to break my soul - from Kiwi

Got any more examples of metaphors? Send us your metaphors!

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