metaphor for homework is

25 Metaphors for Homework

Homework – a word that can evoke a wide range of emotions in students, from dread to determination. It’s a crucial aspect of education, a bridge between classroom learning and independent understanding.

However, sometimes it feels like a never-ending struggle. But what if we looked at homework differently? What if we used metaphors to describe it, making it seem less like a chore and more like an adventure?

In this article, we’ll explore various metaphors for homework, each shedding light on a unique aspect of this academic endeavor.

Metaphors for Homework

1. a set of instructions or steps.

Meaning: Homework can be likened to a set of instructions or steps, similar to following a recipe.

In a Sentence: Just as a chef follows a recipe to create a culinary masterpiece, students follow the instructions in their homework to master a subject.

2. A Road to Travel

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a journey or path towards learning and understanding, like traveling down a road.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a mile marker on the road of education, guiding students on their quest for knowledge.

3. A Fish to Catch

Meaning: Homework can involve trying to “catch” new concepts or ideas, similar to how one might try to catch a fish.

In a Sentence: Students cast their mental nets into the vast sea of information, hoping to catch the elusive understanding hidden beneath the surface.

4. A Ship to Steer

Meaning: Homework can involve navigating your way through new material, similar to steering a ship.

In a Sentence: Just as a captain must navigate through treacherous waters, students steer their way through complex assignments, avoiding pitfalls along the way.

5. A Tool to Use

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a means to an end, like a tool that is used to accomplish a task.

In a Sentence: Homework serves as a versatile tool in the educational toolbox, helping students sharpen their cognitive skills.

6. A Canvas to Paint

Meaning: Homework can be seen as an opportunity to create and express yourself, similar to painting on a canvas.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a blank canvas where students can brush strokes of their unique understanding, creating a masterpiece of comprehension.

7. A Battle to Fight

Meaning: Homework can sometimes feel like a struggle or a challenge that needs to be overcome, like a battle.

In a Sentence: Armed with knowledge as their sword and determination as their shield, students engage in the intellectual battles of homework.

8. A Journey to Embark On

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a journey of discovery and learning, like embarking on a new adventure.

In a Sentence: Every homework assignment is an exciting expedition into the uncharted territories of knowledge, full of surprises and revelations.

9. A Treasure to Hunt For

Meaning: Homework can involve searching for and uncovering new information or knowledge, similar to hunting for treasure.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students become modern-day treasure hunters, sifting through information to find the golden nuggets of wisdom hidden within.

10. A Plant to Water

Meaning: Homework can involve nurturing and maintaining your understanding of a subject, similar to watering a plant to keep it healthy.

In a Sentence: Just as a gardener cares for their plants, students must regularly tend to their understanding by completing homework assignments to ensure it grows and flourishes.

11. A Puzzle to Solve

Meaning: Homework can be likened to a puzzle, where students must piece together information and concepts to form a complete picture.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a puzzle waiting to be solved, with every answer contributing to the bigger picture of understanding.

12. A Marathon to Run

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a long-distance race, where consistency and pacing are key to reaching the finish line successfully.

In a Sentence: Education is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and homework is a daily training session to build endurance and knowledge.

13. A Symphony to Compose

Meaning: Homework can be compared to composing a symphony, where different elements must harmonize to create a beautiful piece of work.

In a Sentence: Like a composer crafting a symphony, students craft their assignments, ensuring that each part contributes to the overall harmony.

14. A Code to Crack

Meaning: Homework can be like deciphering a complex code, where students work diligently to understand and solve the intricacies of a subject.

In a Sentence: Each assignment presents a code to be cracked, and with perseverance, students unveil the secrets hidden within.

15. A Garden to Cultivate

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a garden to cultivate, where students plant the seeds of knowledge and nurture their growth over time.

In a Sentence: Just as a gardener tends to their plants, students must care for their understanding, allowing it to bloom with each completed assignment.

16. A Map to Follow

Meaning: Homework can be likened to following a map, where each task guides students on a journey through the landscape of learning.

In a Sentence: Each homework assignment is a map, leading students through the terrain of knowledge, helping them explore and navigate.

17. A Story to Write

Meaning: Homework can be compared to writing a story, where students craft narratives of their own understanding and insights.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students become storytellers, weaving together facts and ideas to create compelling narratives of learning.

18. A Recipe to Master

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a recipe to master, with each step representing a key ingredient in the dish of comprehension.

In a Sentence: Just as a chef perfects a recipe, students perfect their understanding by diligently following the steps of their assignments.

19. A Puzzle to Assemble

Meaning: Homework can be like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where students fit together the pieces of knowledge to complete the big picture.

In a Sentence: Each homework task is a puzzle piece, and students become expert puzzle solvers, completing the grand educational image.

20. A Building to Construct

Meaning: Homework can be likened to constructing a building, where each assignment contributes to the foundation of knowledge.

In a Sentence: Education is a construction project, and students are the builders, laying each brick of understanding with their homework efforts.

21. A Sculpture to Shape

Meaning: Homework can be compared to sculpting a masterpiece, where students chisel away at their understanding to reveal the beauty of knowledge.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a block of marble, and students are the sculptors, shaping their comprehension with each refined detail.

22. A Puzzle to Navigate

Meaning: Homework can be like navigating through a labyrinth, where students must find their way through complex concepts and ideas.

In a Sentence: Much like an intrepid explorer in a maze, students navigate the intricate paths of homework assignments, aiming to emerge victorious.

23. A Bridge to Cross

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a bridge connecting what students know to what they need to learn, helping them cross over to a deeper understanding.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students build bridges of knowledge, enabling them to cross over into uncharted territories of learning.

24. A Puzzle to Piece Together

Meaning: Homework can be likened to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, where each element represents a crucial part of the overall comprehension.

In a Sentence: Just as puzzle enthusiasts meticulously connect pieces to reveal a picture, students piece together concepts in their assignments to see the complete educational image.

25. A Song to Compose

Meaning: Homework can be compared to composing a musical masterpiece, where students harmonize the notes of knowledge to create beautiful compositions.

In a Sentence: Like composers crafting symphonies, students craft their assignments, ensuring that every element contributes to the melodious tune of understanding.

These metaphors for homework offer a rich tapestry of perspectives, each highlighting a distinct facet of the educational journey. By adopting these metaphors, students can shift their mindset from mere homework completion to engaging in exciting adventures, solving puzzles, composing symphonies, and nurturing gardens of knowledge. Homework becomes not just a task but a canvas for creativity and exploration.

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Verbal Versa

19 Metaphors For Homework

Hey, students! Let’s talk about metaphors for homework. It’s like comparing homework to different things to help us understand it better. From saying it’s a mountain to climb to calling it a puzzle to solve, metaphors make homework feel more relatable. So, get ready to explore the world of homework metaphors and see your assignments in a whole new light! 📚✨

Table of Contents

Homework is the Flashlight in the Dark Cave of Learning:

Explanation: Homework acts as a source of light that helps students navigate through the complex world of learning. Just as a flashlight illuminates the path in a dark cave, homework illuminates the path to understanding by providing students with the opportunity to practice and reinforce what they have learned in class. It helps to clarify concepts and identify areas where further study is needed. Example: Just as a flashlight helps a hiker find their way in the dark, homework helps a student find their way through the complex maze of learning.

Homework is the Seasoning in the Soup of Knowledge:

Explanation: Homework adds flavor and depth to the learning experience, making it more enjoyable and satisfying for students. Just as seasoning enhances the taste of food, homework enhances the learning process by providing students with the opportunity to explore topics in greater depth and develop a deeper understanding of the material. It also helps to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Example: Just as seasoning brings out the flavor of a soup, homework brings out the full flavor of learning.

Intelligence’s Inventory:

Explanation: Homework is like a storage room for the mind, where students can stockpile knowledge and skills for future use. By completing homework, students are able to reinforce what they have learned in class and commit it to memory, building a valuable inventory of knowledge and skills that they can draw upon in the future. This inventory is essential for academic success and personal growth. Example: Just as a well-stocked inventory helps a business succeed, a well-stocked mind helps a student succeed.

Homework is the Road Signs on the Highway to Understanding:

Explanation: Homework provides students with clear directions and guidance on the path to understanding. It helps students to stay on track and avoid getting lost in the complex world of learning . Just as road signs provide directions and warnings to drivers, homework provides students with the information they need to stay on the right path and avoid misunderstandings or misconceptions. Example: Just as a road sign points the way to a destination, homework points the way to understanding.

Homework is the GPS Guiding You Through the Maze of Information:

Explanation: Homework acts as a personal guide for students, helping them to navigate the overwhelming amount of information they encounter in their studies. It provides students with a clear and concise roadmap to understanding, allowing them to focus on the most important concepts and avoid getting lost in the details. Just as a GPS provides turn-by-turn directions to a destination, homework provides step-by-step guidance to understanding. Example: Just as a GPS guides a driver to their destination, homework guides a student to understanding.

Study’s Seedbed:

Explanation: Homework is the fertile ground where knowledge and skills are planted and nurtured. By completing homework, students are able to cultivate their understanding of a subject and watch it grow over time. Just as a seed needs the right conditions to germinate and grow into a plant , knowledge needs to be nurtured through practice and reinforcement to take root and flourish. Example: Just as a seedbed provides the ideal conditions for a seed to grow, homework provides the ideal conditions for knowledge to grow.

Homework is the Passport to the Land of Enlightenment:

Explanation: Homework is the ticket that grants students access to the world of knowledge and understanding. By completing homework, students are able to gain entry to a wealth of information and insights that would otherwise be closed off to them. This passport allows students to explore new ideas, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their understanding of the world. Example: Just as a passport allows travelers to visit new countries, homework allows students to visit new realms of knowledge.

Homework is the Rope Pulling You Up the Mountain of Learning:

Explanation: Homework is the lifeline that helps students climb the steep and challenging slope of learning. It provides students with the support and guidance they need to overcome obstacles and reach new heights of understanding. Just as a rope provides climbers with the assistance they need to ascend a mountain, homework provides students with the assistance they need to ascend the mountain of learning. Example: Just as a rope helps a climber reach the summit, homework helps a student reach the summit of understanding.

Study’s Stockpile:

Explanation: Homework is the storehouse where students can accumulate and preserve their knowledge and skills. By completing homework, students are able to build a reserve of information and abilities that they can draw upon in the future. This stockpile is essential for academic success and personal growth, providing students with the resources they need to tackle new challenges and pursue their goals. Example: Just as a stockpile provides a store of resources, homework provides a store of knowledge and skills.

Homework is the Key Unlocking the Door to Wisdom:

Explanation: Homework is the tool that allows students to unlock the door to a wealth of knowledge and insights. By completing homework, students are able to gain access to the treasures that lie within the realm of understanding. This key unlocks the door to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities, allowing students to broaden their horizons and expand their minds. Example: Just as a key unlocks a door, homework unlocks the door to wisdom.

Background Boost:

Explanation: Homework provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that they can build upon in the future. By completing homework, students are able to reinforce what they have learned in class and commit it to memory, creating a strong background that will support their future learning. This background boost gives students the confidence and competence they need to succeed in their studies and beyond. Example: Just as a background boosts an image, homework boosts a student’s knowledge and skills.

Absorb the School Day:

Explanation: Homework is the opportunity for students to fully absorb and digest the information they have learned during the school day. By completing homework, students are able to review and reflect on the material, allowing it to sink in and become a part of their long-term memory. This process of absorption helps students to retain the information and apply it in new and meaningful ways. Example: Just as a sponge absorbs water, homework allows students to absorb the lessons of the school day.

Homework is the Blueprint Sketching Out Your Educational Journey:

Explanation: Homework is the plan that maps out a student’s path to academic success. It provides students with a clear and concise roadmap to understanding, allowing them to focus on the most important concepts and avoid getting lost in the details. By following this blueprint, students are able to make steady progres s towards their goals and achieve their full potential. Example: Just as a blueprint guides a builder, homework guides a student on their educational journey.

Ingredients to Prepare:

Explanation: Homework is the raw materials that students need to cook up a successful academic career. By completing homework, students are able to gather the information and skills they need to tackle more complex challenges and achieve their goals. These ingredients are essential for academic success, providing students with the fuel they need to power their learning and growth. Example: Just as ingredients are necessary for cooking, homework is necessary for academic success.

Homework is the Mirror Reflecting Your Academic Reflection:

Explanation: Homework provides students with a clear and accurate reflection of their academic progress. By completing homework, students are able to see where they stand in terms of their understanding and skills, and identify areas where they need to improve. This reflection allows students to make adjustments and take corrective action, helping them to stay on track and achieve their goals. Example: Just as a mirror reflects an image, homework reflects a student’s academic progress.

Material to Internalize:

Explanation: Homework is the means by which students can fully integrate and internalize the material they have learned in class. By completing homework, students are able to practice and reinforce what they have learned, committing it to memory and making it a part of their long-term knowledge base. This internalization process is essential for academic success, as it allows students to build a solid foundation of knowledge that they can draw upon in the future. Example: Just as a plant internalizes nutrients from the soil, homework allows students to internalize the material they have learned.

Homework is the Building Blocks of Your Educational Tower:

Explanation: Homework is the foundation upon which students can construct a towering edifice of knowledge and skills. By completing homework, students are able to build upon what they have learned in class, adding layer upon layer of understanding and ability. This educational tower is essential for academic success, providing students with the height and stability they need to reach their goals. Example: Just as building blocks are used to construct a tower, homework is used to construct an educational tower.

Homework is the Tune That Dances Through the Melody of Learning:

Explanation: Homework is the rhythm and flow that brings the learning process to life. By completing homework, students are able to engage with the material in a dynamic and interactive way, exploring its nuances and complexities. This tune adds depth and richness to the learning experience, making it more enjoyable and memorable for students. Example: Just as a tune brings a melody to life, homework brings the learning process to life.

Exercises to Keep Sharp:

Explanation: Homework is the practice that students need to stay sharp and maintain their academic edge. By completing homework, students are able to keep their skills and knowledge fresh and up-to-date, preventing them from becoming rusty or outdated. This regular practice is essential for academic success, as it helps students to stay focused and motivated, and prepares them for the challenges ahead. Example: Just as exercises keep a person physically fit, homework keeps a student academically fit.

Summary Table Of Metaphors For Homework

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• Knowledge Base
• What Is a Metaphor? | Definition & Examples

What Is a Metaphor? | Definition & Examples

Published on August 11, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on November 6, 2023.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that implicitly compares two unrelated things, typically by stating that one thing is another (e.g., “that chef is a magician”).

Metaphors can be used to create vivid imagery, exaggerate a characteristic or action, or express a complex idea.

Metaphors are commonly used in literature, advertising, and everyday speech.

The exam was a piece of cake.

This town is a desert .

Table of contents

What is a metaphor, types of metaphor, metaphor vs. simile, metaphor vs. analogy, allegory vs. metaphor, worksheet: metaphor vs. simile, frequently asked questions.

A metaphor is a rhetorical device that makes a non-literal comparison between two unlike things. Metaphors are used to describe an object or action by stating (or implying) that it is something else (e.g., “knowledge is a butterfly”).

Metaphors typically have two parts:

• A tenor is the thing or idea that the metaphor describes (e.g., “knowledge”).
• A vehicle is the thing or idea used to describe the tenor (e.g., “a butterfly”).

Sophia was a loose cannon .

There are several different types of metaphor.

Direct metaphor

A direct metaphor compares two unrelated things by explicitly stating that one thing is another. Direct metaphors typically use a form of the verb “be” to connect two things.

Ami and Vera are two peas in a pod.

Implied metaphor

An implied metaphor compares two unlike things without explicitly naming one of them. Instead, a comparison is typically made using a non-literal verb. For example, the statement “the man erupted in anger” uses the verb “erupted” to compare a man to a volcano.

The captain barked orders at the soldiers. [i.e., the captain was like an angry dog]

Extended metaphor

An extended metaphor (also called a sustained metaphor) occurs when an initial comparison is developed or sustained over several lines or paragraphs (or stanzas, in the case of a poem).

Extended metaphors are commonly used in literature and advertising, but they’re rarely used in everyday speech.

And all the men and women merely players.

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts,

Mixed metaphor

A mixed metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two or more metaphors, resulting in a confusing or nonsensical statement.

Mixed metaphors are usually accidental and are often perceived as unintentionally humorous. Mixing metaphors can confuse your readers and make your writing seem to lack coherence.

She’s a rising star, and with the right guidance, she’ll spread her wings.

Dead metaphor

A dead metaphor is a figure of speech that has become so familiar due to repeated use that people no longer recognize it as a metaphor. Instead, it’s understood as having a straightforward meaning.

The guest of honor sat at the head of the table .

Metaphors and similes are both rhetorical devices used for comparison. However, they have different functions:

• A metaphor makes an implicit comparison between two unlike things, usually by saying that one thing is another thing (e.g., “my body is a temple”).
• A simile makes an explicit comparison between two unlike things, typically using the words “like,” “as,” or “than” (e.g., “you’re as stubborn as a mule”).

The old man’s beard was as white as snow .

There are two main types of analogy:

• Identical relationship analogies indicate the logical relationship between two things (e.g., “‘Up’ is to ‘down’ as ‘on’ is to ‘off’”).
• Shared abstraction analogies compare two unlike things to illustrate a point.

Metaphors are sometimes confused with shared abstraction analogies, but they serve different purposes. While metaphors are primarily used to make a comparison (e.g., “John is a caveman”), shared abstraction analogies are used to make an argument or explain something.

Metaphors are sometimes confused with allegories, but they have different functions:

• A metaphor makes an implied comparison between two unlike things, typically by stating that one thing is another (e.g., “time is money”).
• An allegory illustrates abstract concepts, moral principles, or complex ideas through symbolic representation.

Allegories are typically longer than metaphors and usually take the form of a story.

You can test your knowledge of the difference between metaphors and similes with the worksheet below. Choose whether each sentence contains a metaphor or a simile.

• Practice questions
• Answers and explanations
• You sing like an angel.
• The boxer is as strong as an ox.
• Hannah is a warrior.
• Your eyes are deeper than the ocean.
• Most of the time, you’re an angel. But you’re like a demon when you’re tired.
• This sentence contains a simile because it makes a direct comparison using the word “like.”
• This sentence contains a simile because it makes a direct comparison using the word “as.”
• This sentence contains a metaphor because it makes an implicit comparison by saying that something is something else.
• This sentence contains a simile because it makes a direct comparison using the word “than.”
• This sentence contains both a metaphor (“you are an angel”) and a simile (“like a demon”).

An extended metaphor (also called a sustained metaphor ) is a metaphor that is developed over several lines or paragraphs.

The following is an example of an extended metaphor in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet :

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.”

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a non-literal comparison between two unlike things (typically by saying that something is something else).

For example, the metaphor “you are a clown” is not literal but rather used to emphasize a specific, implied quality (in this case, “foolishness”).

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Metaphor Definition

What is metaphor? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor can be stated explicitly, as in the sentence "Love is a battlefield." Other times, the writer may make this equation between two things implicitly , as in, "He was wounded by love." The comparisons created by metaphor are not meant to be taken literally. Rather, metaphors are figurative —they create meaning beyond the literal meanings of their words. For instance, these examples are, of course, not saying that love is actually a field of battle or that the person actually got a physical injury from love. Instead, they capture how love can be painful, a struggle, even a showdown between opponents, and—as many good metaphors do—through their comparison they make description more vivid, more relatable, or reveal new ways of seeing the world.

Some additional key details about metaphor:

• Metaphor is one of the most common figures of speech , used by writers throughout history and across the world. They are common in everyday speech and all forms of writing, from narrative fiction, to poetry, to persuasive writing.
• Metaphor is a type of analogy : a comparison between two things or ideas. Take a look at the entry that covers analogy to learn more about the difference between analogy and metaphor.
• There are actually two accepted definitions of metaphor: one that's quite broad, and one that's more specific. The broader definition includes any type of comparison or association, and includes under its umbrella other figures of speech, such as simile . The other, more narrow definition is the one we focus on in this entry, and is limited to figures of speech that state one thing is the other.

Metaphor Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce metaphor: met -uh-fore

The Anatomy of a Metaphor

Metaphors can be broken down into two elements: a tenor and a vehicle.

• The tenor is the thing a metaphor describes.
• The vehicle is the thing to which the tenor is compared.

For instance, in the metaphor " Love is a battlefield ," love is the tenor because it's the thing being described, while "battlefield" is the vehicle because it's the thing love is being compared to. The metaphor operates by borrowing key attributes from the vehicle and ascribing them to the tenor: love is violent, brutal, life-threatening.

A strong metaphor is one in which the attributes shared by the vehicle and the tenor are clear without further explanation. For example, "she's a gem" is a widely used metaphor whose meaning would probably be pretty clear even if we hadn't all heard it a thousand times: it's a way of saying someone is precious, treasured, lovely. "He's a peanut butter sandwich," on the other hand, is a pretty mystifying statement, since the vehicle—a peanut butter sandwich?—doesn't immediately call to mind any particularly vivid qualities or adjectives, let alone adjectives that would be used to describe a person. As a result, a weak metaphor such as this one leaves the mind searching for a basis of comparison between the tenor and the vehicle: is he... sticky? Unappetizing? A perfect combination of two things?

Types of Metaphors

There are a handful of varieties of metaphor that fall under the larger umbrella of "metaphor." Here are a few important ones:

• Conventional Metaphors are just what they sound like: metaphors that have become such a common part of speech that they no longer call attention to their status as metaphors. For instance, when we say that someone is an expert in his or her "field," field is a conventional metaphor for "area of study" or "profession," because it's been used so frequently that we don't even realize we're referencing a physical field. Some sources say that when a conventional metaphor has completely lost its "effectiveness" or ability to influence thought, it becomes a Dead Metaphor. The concept of "dead metaphors" is controversial however, because many people argue that simply because something becomes unconscious, doesn't mean it's dead.
• Creative Metaphors, in contrast to conventional metaphors, are novel comparisons that draw attention to their status as metaphors. The following Rita Rudner quote is a creative metaphor: "Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love. I'd stepped in it a few times." Rudner, here, is twisting and playing with the metaphor "falling love" to emphasize the fact that it is a metaphor, and then she's creating a new metaphor all her own. (Of course, she's a comedian so she's also doing it to get laughs.)
• Mixed Metaphor is a combination of two or more incongruous comparisons. These can occur accidentally, or a writer may string incompatible metaphors together for comedic effect. For example, the mixed metaphor, "He was born with a silver foot in his mouth" combines the metaphors "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" (meaning: to be born privileged) and "To put one's foot in one's mouth" (meaning: to say something embarrassing) to create a puzzlingly humorous hybrid. Mixed metaphor is often referred to as catachresis.
• "In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note..."
• Absolute metaphors are metaphors in which the tenor can't be distinguished from the vehicle. In other words, the content of the metaphor can't be stated explicitly, because the only way to express the content is through the metaphor itself. An example would be "Life is a journey." We're constantly equating life with a journey, often without realizing it, when we say things like "That kid is off to a good start" or "He's taken the road less travelled," because so much of life is unknown: we have no other way in our language to explain the complex, all-encompassing experience that life is. As a result, this metaphor starts to actually shape the way we see life, and the comparison it makes becomes a truth that's impossible to express without the metaphor itself.

These are the most common varieties of metaphor. Here's a great resource with information about still more types of metaphors.

The Debate Over Metaphor's Meaning

There are actually two accepted definitions of metaphor—one that's quite broad and one that's more specific—and people commonly confuse the two without even noticing, so it follows that there is some debate over which definition is correct . The truth is, both definitions are correct, and for that reason it's useful to have a solid understanding of both, as well as what makes them different. These are the two definitions given in the Oxford Companion to English Language —the first one broad, the other narrow:

• Metaphor: All figures of speech that achieve their effect through association, comparison, and resemblance. Figures like antithesis , hyperbole , metonymy , and simile are all species of metaphor.
• Metaphor: A figure of speech which concisely compares two things by saying that one is the other.

This entry focuses on the second, narrower definition of metaphor. To read more about the broader definition of metaphor, it may help to take a look at the entry on analogy —another broad category that encompasses many of the same figures of speech as the broader definition of metaphor.

Metaphor vs. Simile

Of all the different kinds of figures of speech that fit under the broader definition of metaphor (described above), simile is the one that is most often confused with the more specific definition of metaphor that we cover in this entry, since both simile and metaphor are figures of speech that involve the comparison of unlike things. However, simile and metaphor do not make comparisons in the same way. The most obvious difference between simile and metaphor can be summed up this way:

• Similes use the words "like" or "as" to establish their comparison: "The world is like your oyster."
• Metaphors state the comparison without such connecting words: "The world is your oyster."

While the presence of a connecting word, such as "like" or "as," is generally a good rule of thumb to identify similes versus metaphors, it doesn't get at the root of the difference between these two figures of speech. A deeper way to understand the difference is through the nature of the comparison each one makes:

• A simile makes an explicit comparison by asserting that two different things are similar . A simile sets thing A and thing B side by side to compare them. In the sentence "The world is like your oyster," the listener is asked to mentally visualize and compare "the world" and "an oyster"—as though he or she were holding one in each hand—and draw a comparison between the two.
• A metaphor asserts an implicit comparison by stating that one thing is the other thing . Instead of setting two entities A and B side by side through the use of connecting words, metaphor superimposes them. The metaphor "The world is your oyster" asks the reader to imagine his or her relationship to the world as being the relationship of an oyster to the space inside its shell.

This isn't to say that either a simile or metaphor is stronger or better than the other, just that they are subtly different in the sort of comparison they create, and this difference affects how a reader imaginatively interacts with the text.

Metaphor Examples

Examples of metaphor in literature.

Mastering the art of metaphor is essential to writing vivid, relatable poetry and prose. Furthermore, understanding a writer's use of metaphor will enable you to better understand the specific themes that run throughout works of literature.

Metaphor in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an ambitious young man from a poor background, and his pursuit of the wealthy, aristocratic Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby eventually amasses a fortune large enough to purchase a mansion across the water from Daisy's estate on Long Island, New York. Throughout the novel, Gatsby gazes longingly at the green light that shines from the end of Daisy's dock, and this light becomes a symbol for Gatsby's yearning for the unattainable Daisy. Fitzgerald concludes the novel by adding a further layer of meaning to the metaphor of the Green Light:

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And then one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Here, the green light isn't simply a symbol for Daisy, but a metaphor for the "orgastic future that year by year recedes before us,"—for the ultimate, unattainable, and perhaps even unknowable goal of each individual's ambition. This use of metaphor is a bit subtler than an "X is Y" construction such as "she's a gem," since Fitzgerald never explicitly states that the green light is anything. Instead, he uses a comma to equate the green light with the "orgastic future" that he then describes in detail. He then broadens and extends the metaphor even further by introducing the image of "boats [beating on] against the current" to describe all people who pursue such a future, seeming to suggest that everyone experiences some version of Gatsby's struggle toward the "green light."

Metaphor in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Romeo uses the following metaphor in Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet , after sneaking into Juliet's garden and catching a glimpse of her on her balcony:

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun not only to describe how radiantly beautiful she is, but also to convey the full extent of her power over him. He's so taken with Juliet that her appearances and disappearances affect him like those of the sun. His life "revolves" around Juliet like the earth orbits the sun. The rest of the passage, which we haven't included here, is also an example of extended metaphor—since Romeo continues to speak about Juliet as though she were the sun throughout his brief monologue.

Metaphor in James Joyces' Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a bildungsroman — a novel that follows the journey of a young protagonist from childhood to adulthood. In Portrait, Joyce describes the growth and maturation of Stephen Daedalus, a young boy growing up in an impoverished Irish-Catholic household who ultimately aspires to become a writer. In Chapter 5, Stephen composes the following love poem (a villanelle ) to his beloved Emma Clery (whom he actually barely knows and seldom sees):

Are you not weary of ardent ways, Lure of the fallen seraphim? Tell no more of enchanted days. Your eyes have set man's heart ablaze And you have had your will of him. Are you not weary of ardent ways? Above the flame the smoke of praise Goes up from ocean rim to rim. Tell no more of enchanted days. Our broken cries and mournful lays Rise in one eucharistic hymn. Are you not weary of ardent ways? While sacrificing hands upraise The chalice flowing to the brim, Tell no more of enchanted days. And still you hold our longing gaze With languorous look and lavish limb! Are you not weary of ardent ways? Tell no more of enchanted days.

Stephen's expression of love is full of metaphors—he likens his lovestruck heart to a "blaze," and his words of praise to "smoke." The "chalice flowing to the brim" is similarly a metaphor for the strength of Stephen's feeling—which, in the context of the novel, might be either religious or sexual in nature.

Metaphors occur frequently in love poems such as this, one reason being that the lover or narrator seeks to express the singular, unique experience of love in terms that the reader can relate to. For instance, in the example above from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare—through Romeo—compares Juliet to the sun, in part because he recognizes that most readers are familiar with the sun's awe-inspiring beauty, and therefore will be better able to imagine Romeo's profound admiration for Juliet through this metaphorical comparison.

However, the use of metaphors can sometimes cover up lack of knowledge about something, and this is particularly relevant to Stephen's poem. Stephen wrote his romantic villanelle to a woman he barely knows and hasn't seen for ten years. His somewhat cliché metaphor comparing love to a "heart ablaze" emitting "smoke of praise" may be interpreted not only as the first attempt of a young poet, but also as an indication that Stephen fully understands neither the woman to whom his poem is addressed, nor the complexity of his own feelings.

Metaphor in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle

The title " Cat's Cradle " refers to a children's game in which the player makes an intricate pattern of X's by weaving a piece of string between his or her fingers. It also functions as an important metaphor in Vonnegut's novel, which follows the attempts of a nameless writer to research Dr. Felix Hoenikker: a scientist who (in the story in the book) helped invent the atomic bomb. The writer reaches out to Hoenikker's son, Newt, who tells him that on the day the Americans dropped the bomb—Dr. Hoenikker's invention—on Hiroshima, his father attempted to play cat's cradle with him. For some inexplicable reason, the game terrified Newt. The adult Newt explains:

"For maybe a hundred thousand years or more, grownups have been waving tangles of string in their children's faces... No wonder kids grow up crazy. A cat's cradle is nothing but a bunch of X's between somebody's hands, and little kids look and look and look at all those X's... No damn cat, and no damn cradle."

It's clear that even as an adult, cat's cradle retains a special significance for Newt: his father used the game as a diversion, lacking in substance and meaning, to distract himself and his son from the terrible reality of the bomb. Later on in the novel, Newt discovers that his sister, Angela, is abused by her husband. Referencing the way Angela hides her unhappiness and lies about her husband's behavior, Newt asks, "See the cat? See the cradle?" In doing so, he compares Angela's efforts to hide her husband's violence to their father's efforts to hide his own acts of violence (using cat's cradle as a distraction). Newt insightfully connects children's games to the games adults play with themselves. In short, cats cradle becomes an elaborate metaphor for evading the truth, and the way that people then become trapped and entangled in those evasions.

Examples of Metaphor in Song Lyrics

Metaphorical comparisons often make language more memorable and more powerful, and can capture and make vivid emotions and feelings in profound, new, arresting, and often concise ways. It's no wonder, then, that musicians across genres regularly use metaphor in their song lyrics.

Metaphor in Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield"

In her most famous song, released on the album Live from Earth in 1983, Benatar compares love—in its dangerousness and its power—to a battlefield:

When I'm losing control Will you turn me away Or touch me deep inside And when all this gets old Will it still feel the same There's no way this will die But if we get much closer I could lose control And if your heart surrenders You'll need me to hold We are young Heartache to heartache we stand No promises No demands Love is a battlefield

Metaphor in Katy Perry's "Firework"

In "Firework" ( Teenage Dream , 2010), Perry uses extended metaphor to compare a firework to her lover's inner "spark" of resilience which, in the context of the song, stands in opposition to the dreary experience of life and the difficulty of communicating with others:

Do you know that there's still a chance for you? 'Cause there's a spark in you You just gotta ignite the light And let it shine Just own the night Like the Fourth of July 'Cause baby, you're a firework C'mon, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky Baby, you're a firework C'mon, let your colors burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

Metaphor in The Eagles' "Life in the Fast Lane"

In the title phrase "Life in the Fast Lane" ( Hotel California , 1976), "the Fast Lane" is a metaphor for a lawless, limitless, risky mindset. If you live life in the Fast Lane, it means that you are edgy, daring, and impulsive, like the couple described in the song:

Life in the fast lane, surely make you lose your mind Life in the fast lane Life in the fast lane, everything all the time Life in the fast lane Blowin' and burnin' blinded by thirst They didn't see the stop sign; Took a turn for the worse She said, "Listen, baby. You can hear the engine ring. We've been up and down this highway; haven't seen a god-damn thing." He said, "Call the doctor. I think I'm gonna crash." "The doctor say he's coming but you gotta pay in cash." They were rushing down that freeway; Messed around and got lost They didn't care they were just dyin' to get off.

The Eagles extend the metaphor of "the fast lane" into the verse following the chorus: the "stop sign" and "engine ring" are metaphors for warning signs suggesting the couple's way of living is unsustainable.

Why Do Writers Use Metaphor?

Writers, and people in general, use metaphors for countless reasons:

• They create memorable images with language.
• They help communicate personal or imaginary experiences in terms to which readers can relate.
• By connecting different spheres of experience and language, they can lead the reader to surprising and important discoveries; the figurative meaning that metaphors create can help a reader to see the world or a concept in a new way.
• They can even sometimes hide a person's lack of knowledge about the things they're discussing.

It should be noted that metaphors aren't merely additive —in other words, they aren't just meant to embellish language or "spice it up." Metaphors actually shape our understanding of the relationships between things in the world. Without even knowing it, we constantly speak and think in metaphors.

Other Helpful Metaphor Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Metaphor: An in-depth explanation of metaphor, its history, and how it relates to other figures of speech.
• The Dictionary Definition of Metaphor: A basic definition and etymology of the term—it comes from the Greek metaphora, meaning "a transfer."
• 99 Metaphors for Love: ThoughtCo's compendium of 99 love metaphors that span genres and centuries.
• A very worthwhile, very 1980s music video of Pat Benatar singing her metaphorically-titled song "Love is a Battlefield."
• The opening scene of Disney's Aladdin, in which Jafar learns he must find the "diamond in the rough"—a metaphorical riddle, the answer to which is Aladdin himself: a "gem" amongst the low-class riffraff.

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1905 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 40,109 quotes across 1905 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Bildungsroman
• Extended Metaphor
• Figurative Language
• Figure of Speech
• Dynamic Character
• Anthropomorphism
• Antimetabole
• Point of View
• Deus Ex Machina
• Connotation
• Protagonist

Understanding Metaphor (Definition, Examples, How to Write One)

A metaphor is a complex and beautiful way the English language can get used to communicate deep ideas or intentions. Metaphors give comparisons between two parallel text. And often allow us to comprehend objects, things, concepts, thoughts, and ideas in more robust manners due to the way it gets compared.

Let’s learn about metaphors and how they get used in the English language…

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not the same. A metaphor is a way to compare two things and say they are the same, not just similar.

This means that in a metaphor, words or phrases usually used to talk about one thing or idea are used to talk about something else that isn’t traditionally associated with that language.

Examples of metaphors in literature

• “The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed. It was past eight-thirty and still light .” – John Green; The Fault In Our Stars
• “The frosted wedding cake of the ceiling” – F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Great Gatsby
• “I’m a riddle in nine syllables” – Sylvia Plath; Metaphors
• “Hope is the thing with feathers” – Emily Dickinson; Hope
• “Behind him, sitting on piles of scrap and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to Baba’s heart.” – Khaled Hosseini; The Kite Runner

Examples of metaphors in songs

• Third floor on the West Side, me and you ; Handsome, you’re a mansion with a view – Taylor Swift; Delicate
• Say you want me out of your life; And I’m just a dead man walking tonight – 5 Seconds of Summer ; Young Blood
• Don’t you tell me what you think that I can be; I’m the one at the sail, I’m the master of my sea – Imagine Dragons; Believer
• Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold; This one for them hood girls; Them good girls, straight masterpieces – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars; Uptown Funk
• Cause baby you’re a firework – Katy Perry; Firework

Examples of metaphors in idioms

• My best friend is a walking disaster.
• Her sister was an angel incarnate.
• It rained cats and dogs last week.
• The queen swallowed her pride when the knight raised questions.
• He advised me to either bite the bullet or give it my best shot.

Learn about metaphor in this video lesson

Difference between metaphor and simile

When compared side by side to literary tropes, metaphors and similes can often be challenging to differentiate from one another. Both of these are examples of figures of speech that are used to make comparisons. Simile belongs to the category of metaphor.

However, they are differentiated by using either “like” or “as” as the connecting word. Metaphors are a way to draw direct comparisons without utilizing the terms being compared. Comparisons may be made using similes by utilizing the phrase “like” or “as.”

A metaphor is a more direct comparison (one thing is another), making it a somewhat more convincing overall argument. You should employ metaphors to drive home the point that the two items are comparable.

Understanding simile

On the other hand, a simile functions more like a suggestion than anything else. However, the text continues even after the image has been implanted in the reader’s mind. Similes are the way to go when you want to describe something but don’t want the reader to linger too long on it.

Scale is another important consideration when working with metaphors and similes. While metaphors can extend over a whole piece of writing, similes can only be used within the confines of a single line.

For instance, there are thousands of interpretations of what the film “The Matrix” is supposed to be a metaphor for. It is not very rare that you will hear someone describe a finished product as a metaphor for anything else. That would need a significant number of “likes.”

Difference between metaphor and analogy

Literary devices, such as metaphors and analogies, are tools that may be used to cement a concept in the mind of a reader. Because a metaphor is a figure of speech and an analogy is a logical argument, their applications are quite distinct from one another.

Figurative language in literature often takes the form of metaphors. A word or phrase is usually employed as a representation to create a more dramatic impression. To put it another way, the term or phrase in question refers to an item to imply a connection that is not literal.

An analogy may be used to create a logical argument by comparing two different items to convey a point. In contrast to a metaphor, a figure of speech that involves figurative language and allows one object to stand in for another, an analogy is an attempt to describe something.

Difference between metaphor and metonymy

There are many ways in which metonymy and metaphor are comparable; nonetheless, the primary distinction between the two is that whereas a metaphor replaces one idea with another, a metonymy chooses a related term.

Therefore , if metonymy refers to the association, then metaphor refers to substitution.

As an illustration, “my brother is a tiger in class” is an example of a metaphor. In this context, expressing a particular aspect of a person’s character is represented by the term “tiger,” an animal.

Understanding metonymy

Metonymy may be seen in the sentence , “the tiger called his pals to the playground.” In this case, there is no substitute; rather, the individual is compared to a tiger due to his characteristics.

One other distinction that can be made between metonymy and metaphor is that metonymy works by mixing concepts, but metaphor works by excluding ideas from consideration.

However, in the world of the psychological, metaphor and metonymy are both utilized for communicating thoughts that are significantly distinct from the original meaning of the words.

When someone uses a metonymy, the attributes associated with the original term are not carried over to the metonymy. On the other hand, in metaphor, when there is a comparison, it is based on the traits, and in the process, certain qualities are transferred from the original to the metaphor.

Synonyms for Metaphor

• Personification

Understanding metaphor, simile, personification , hyperbole

Here are the key differences between metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole.

Metaphor example

• My colleague’s heart of stone surprised me.
• My husband is buried in a sea of paperwork.
• Your favorite singer is a tall drink of water.
• The contest winner had stars in her eyes.
• I realized I had been living in a bubble.

Simile example

• The new doll she gifted me was as cute as a kitten.
• This neon dress is as bright as a button.
• My new badge is as shiny as a new pin.
• This garage is as big as a house.
• Your sister is as innocent as a dove.

Personification example

• The sun smiled down on the new parents .
• New York is a city that never sleeps.
• The noise coming from the storm was as loud as the howling wind.
• I wish he understood that actions speak louder than words.
• His old and battered car wouldn’t quit.

Hyperbole example

• He was so hungry, he could eat a horse.
• She may be old but she can hear a pin drop a mile away.
• The story made him die of embarrassment.
• My old colleague was as skinny as a toothpick.
• It was raining cats and dogs at the stadium.

Understanding the various types of metaphors

Let’s understand the various types of metaphors.

Implied metaphor

Comparing two dissimilar items that do not name either is called an implied metaphor .

A direct metaphor is comprised of two parts: the tenor, which is the original thought, and the vehicle, which is the notion that is being compared.

While an implied metaphor does not include the tenor, a direct metaphor includes.

• The waiter fetched food for the impatient customers.
• The host hopped from one end to the other, talking to his guests.
• I never thought I could sail through the final exams with such great numbers .
• The air has been growing older with each passing day.

Sustained metaphor

A sustained metaphor, also known as an extended metaphor , is when an author uses one metaphor or simile again and at length across a poem or tale by linking numerous tenors, vehicles, and grounds together. This type of metaphor is also known as an extended metaphor .

It is frequently used to describe a complicated concept, giving readers or listeners the ability to picture the concept using terminology that they are already familiar with.

• My friend is such a snake. Everything he hisses out of his mouth is cruel. He frightens all those around him and has no spine.
• My sister is a mama bear. She protects everyone like they are her own children. We feel safe around her.

Dead metaphor

A metaphor is said to be dead when used so frequently, repeatedly, and extensively that the original picture associated with its meaning has been forgotten.

It is not necessary to be familiar with the original connotation of a dead metaphor to comprehend its current meaning because the customary meaning of a dead metaphor differs from the original.

Literalization of a metaphor refers to the process by which a metaphor loses its original meaning over time due to semantic changes that occur naturally in the development of a language.

• My mother has a heart of gold.
• It was raining cats and dogs at the cricket stadium with his sixes.

Mixed metaphors

When two or more metaphors that cannot work together are combined into one metaphor, the result is known as a mixed metaphor.

This method often referred to as a “mixaphor,” can be utilized by characters in one of two distinct ways. It would be used purposefully or unintentionally, depending on the context of the conversation.

To put it another way, a character might provide the impression of wit if they are aware of the fact that they are mixing two sentences. They could become uneducated even when all they need is the necessary knowledge.

• We need to get all our dogs on the same page.
• Napolean also had his Watergate.

Conceptual metaphors

In the field of cognitive linguistics, the comprehension of one notion or conceptual domain in terms of another is referred to as conceptual metaphor, which is also shortened to cognitive metaphor.

Any mental structure of human experience can constitute a conceptual domain. It has been hypothesized that the mapping across conceptual domains correlates to neural mappings in the brain due to the consistency with which many languages use the same metaphors.

These metaphors are frequently based on perceptual similarities. This hypothesis has garnered a lot of attention, even though several scholars have doubts about how accurate its empirical claims are.

“Time is money”

• What do you do to spend your time?
• Yesterday’s flat tire cost me the whole day.
• I have invested a lot of time in this project.
• You are running out of time to complete this project.

How to develop and write a metaphor

Your creativity and imagination may run wild when you use metaphors . The following are some measures that you may take to help you develop an excellent metaphor:

1. Decide on a person, thing, or place to write about.

Take for instance, that you are going to compose a metaphor about a goalkeeper for a soccer game. What are some of the features that define a goalie? The goaltender needs to have a strong mentality when facing the opposing offense.

Goalies are supposed to act as a barrier that prevents opponents from scoring. Imagine your character, item, or scene using all of your senses as you think about them. This can help you create a more vivid mental image (e.g., sound, sight, smell, etc.).

2. Concentrate on the specific situation you’re expressing.

Determine the features that it possesses. Imagine that our goaltender competes in the final game against his most feared opponent.

And let’s assume this foe is a physically imposing figure of great size. How should I interpret the tone that you’re going for here? When you are describing the situation, keep this fact in mind.

3. Now, think of some more things that have the same qualities as the ones you found in the first step.

Always keep in mind how the particular circumstance reflects on your character. Is it like David taking on Goliath in our goaltender situation? No, that has been attempted way too many times before.

Perhaps the goaltender is analogous to a young seal being pursued by a dangerous shark as it gets closer and closer. That’s not the kind of person we want our goaltender to be, so we can’t have him doing that. We want him to be unshakeable when confronted with his adversary.

What about the goaltender being compared to the uncharted depths of the ocean? This may provide you with many ideas for your goalie’s character, particularly his more profound thoughts, and ideals.

4. Take your existing metaphor and develop it further.

It is not sufficient to just compare the goaltender to the ocean deep; highlight it in a way that goes beyond a single phrase to generate an image that fully encompasses the specific features.

Techniques for writing using metaphors

Here are techniques for writing metaphors.

1. By dismissing your initial ideas, you may steer clear of cliches.

When it comes to creating metaphors, you should get in the habit of dismissing the first notion that comes to mind. It’s usually the first thing that comes to mind since it compares to something you’re already familiar with.

And if it’s not foreign to you, there’s a good chance that it won’t be to your readers either. Keep in mind that the brain enjoys being surprised the most.

The phrases “armed to the teeth,” “bad to the bone,” “burning passion,” “turn a blind eye,” “the crack of dawn,” “hammering heart,” “bite the bullet,” “heart of gold,” and “blood flowing cold” are all examples of tired metaphors.

2. Think about the character and environment from your point of view.

Check to be if the analogy or comparison you’re employing in your metaphor is something that your perspective character is already familiar with. This is an excellent method for developing one’s persona as well as one’s voice.

For instance, if your character is a cook, you may use metaphors that involve food, such as “his face was a mangled platter of ham,” “she felt the singe of remorse,” or “blueberry bruises marred his flesh.”

Remember to consider the location and era of your story as well. If the setting of your story is Ancient Rome, you shouldn’t use metaphors like “the bowler-hat cave” because I’m sure people didn’t wear bowler hats back then.

3. Avoid blending the analogies.

A mixed metaphor is simply when you use two pictures not linked to one another to depict the same thing, thereby illogically merging different ideas or imagery.

When you do this, you weaken the power of both metaphors because the reader is forced to exert effort to distinguish between the aspects of the two pictures that are being compared. As an illustration, you may say, “If we want to go ahead, we’ll need to iron out the remaining bottlenecks.”

You will have a much easier time avoiding mixed metaphors if you watch for tired metaphors. We can be so used to cliché metaphors that we don’t even recognize them, making it simple to confuse them with another metaphor by accident .

4. Keep your creative fires burning.

Your imagination will be put to the test as you write metaphors. To create beautiful, original, and compelling metaphors, you must draw deeply from your own experiences.

Think about the particular image or sensation you are attempting to convey, and then think of a time in your life when you felt or recognized that image or feeling to the fullest extent.

5. When you’re reading literature, keep an eye out for analogies. Better still, read poetry.

The imagery and metaphorical language found in poetry are abundant. Reading it will condition your brain to think in this manner; the more you read , the better you’ll be able to conjure up sophisticated metaphors, and that’s a promise.

How do you recognize a metaphor in four easy steps?

Some metaphors, such as those employed in day-to-day conversation, are very easy to recognize. Finding the right one among the others might be challenging but not impossible.

Applying this straightforward, 4-step methodology can help you recognize metaphors from a mile away:

1. Smell a comparison

In the realm of comparison, each of the three figurative language devices has its place—the simile, the analogy, and the metaphor.

Therefore, the first thing you need to do to recognize a metaphor is to recognize a parallel in the text. You can tell you are in the company of a comparison literary device if there is at least one of them present.

2. Determine whether the comparison requires the use of crutches.

Similes rely on assistance. To make comparisons, they frequently use the phrases “like” and “as.” If you come across such crutches, you may deduce that the expression in question is a simile, not a metaphor.

3. Put it via the monitor that analyzes explanations.

Now that you’ve reduced your choices to just two—metaphor vs. analogy—you need to differentiate between the two. How? by taking into consideration how thoroughly the comparison is conveyed.

An analogy is a literary technique used when the author takes the time to demonstrate how two concepts are comparable to one another.

4. Examine the allegory through the lens of a microscope

You should realize by this point that the image in front of you is a metaphor. Therefore, the final phase in the framework is to dissect the metaphor and conduct an examination of the substance.

How do metaphors organize themselves?

The framework of a metaphor is comprised of the following four components:

The term “vehicle” refers to the word that is responsible for conveying the metaphor’s meaning. In the previous illustration, “Your response is crystal obvious,” the word “crystal” serves as the carrier.

What is being communicated; is the fact that the response may be grasped readily.

The basis for comparison is the relationship between two or more objects. The response, like the crystal, possesses an attribute known as transparency, also known as ground. The basis for their comparison is the degree to which they are clear.

The space that exists between the items is known as tension. The answer itself is not a crystal, unless you are at a gem exhibition, in which case you may be talking about a pun. However, the answer is not a crystal if you are not at a gem show.

Common questions asked about metaphors.

A comparison of two things that asserts that one thing is the other is what we refer to as a metaphor. As an illustration, he is a complete bore.

How are similes and metaphors distinct from one another?

Comparisons made using a simile are made indirectly using the words “like” or “as.” Direct parallels, sometimes known as metaphors, indicate that one thing is another.

The most comprehensive of the two concepts is metaphor, which may be defined as any comparison, from single lines to complete works of literature. The use of similes is restricted to sentences.

How exactly does one go about writing a good metaphor?

The most effective use of metaphors is to tie seemingly intangible ideas to concrete examples that the audience is already familiar with and can quickly grasp.

What is an extended metaphor?

An extended metaphor is one that goes on for several sentences.

What is a dead metaphor? And how can it go unnoticed?

If the audience does not need to visualize the action; dead metaphors typically go unnoticed.

Here’s how we can conclude.

Metaphors make sense

The world that we live in is imbued with meaning via metaphors. Thanks to their insight, they enable us to make sense of even the most complicated concepts.

We are fortunate to have metaphors as a means of communication because our environment may sometimes be rather challenging to comprehend.

The internet can be compared to a cloud, love can be compared to a battlefield, and time can be compared to money. Aren’t metaphors just a little bit magical?

• What’s the Difference Between Metaphor, Simile, and Analogy?
• Metaphor, Simile, and Analogy: What’s the Difference?
• How to Write Powerful Metaphors
• Making up metaphors
• What is a Metaphor?
• Conceptual metaphor
• Understanding Conceptual Metaphors
• What is a Mixed Metaphor — Definition & Examples for Writers
• Extended Metaphor: Meaning, Structure, Examples, How To Use
• Metaphor Examples: Understanding Meaning and Purpose
• Examples of Metaphors in Literature
• 20 Examples of Metaphors in Popular Songs
• 16 Metaphors, Idioms and Similes for Easy
• ‘Metaphor’ vs. ‘Simile’
• Idioms vs Metaphors in the digital world
• Simile vs. Metaphor: What’s the Difference?
• Difference Between Metaphor and Metonymy
• What is Personification — Definition and Examples for Writers
• Implied Metaphor — Definition, Purpose, & Examples

Inside this article

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

Core lessons

• Abstract Noun
• Accusative Case
• Active Sentence
• Alliteration
• Adjective Clause
• Adjective Phrase
• Adverbial Clause
• Appositive Phrase
• Body Paragraph
• Compound Adjective
• Complex Sentence
• Compound Words
• Compound Predicate
• Common Noun
• Comparative Adjective
• Comparative and Superlative
• Compound Noun
• Compound Subject
• Compound Sentence
• Copular Verb
• Collective Noun
• Colloquialism
• Conciseness
• Conditional
• Concrete Noun
• Conjunction
• Conjugation
• Conditional Sentence
• Comma Splice
• Correlative Conjunction
• Coordinating Conjunction
• Coordinate Adjective
• Cumulative Adjective
• Dative Case
• Declarative Statement
• Direct Object Pronoun
• Direct Object
• Dangling Modifier
• Demonstrative Pronoun
• Demonstrative Adjective
• Direct Characterization
• Definite Article
• Doublespeak
• Equivocation Fallacy
• Future Perfect Progressive
• Future Simple
• Future Perfect Continuous
• Future Perfect
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200 Short and Sweet Metaphor Examples

A metaphor is a word or phrase that is used to make a comparison between two things. They can be very useful, and we use them all the time in daily conversation, and we do not even realize it! Let’s look at a few examples with a list of metaphors in various situations:

Examples of Metaphors for Love

• Love is a nutrient
• Love is a journey
• Love is a fluid in a container
• Love is fire
• Love is an economic exchange
• Love is a natural force
• Love is a physical force
• Love is a captive animal
• Love is war
• Love is a social superior
• Love is rapture
• Love is a thrill ride
• Love is a fine wine
• Love is a garden
• Love is a battlefield
• Love is an experiment
• Love is a fragile flower opening to the warmth of spring
• Love is a lemon – either bitter or sweet

Examples of Metaphor from Famous People

• “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso
• “Conscience is a man’s compass.” – Vincent Van Gogh
• “Chaos is a friend of mine.” – Bob Dylan
• “ All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.” – Albert Einstein

Examples of Common Metaphors

Examples of popular metaphors.

• “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare
• “ I am the good shepherd…and I lay down my life for the sheep.” – The Bible, John 10:14-15
• “All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.” – Khalil Gibran
• “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
• “And your very flesh shall be a great poem .” – Walt Whitman
• “Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.” – George Orwell
• “Dying is a wild night and a new road.” – Emily Dickinson
• “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of metaphor.

A metaphor is a rhetorical figure of speech that compares two subjects without the use of “like” or “as.” Metaphor is often confused with simile , which compares two subjects by connecting them with “like” or “as” (for example: “She’s fit as a fiddle”). While a simile states that one thing is like another, a metaphor asserts that one thing is the other, or is a substitute for the other thing.

A metaphor asserts a correlation or resemblance between two things that are otherwise unrelated. The English word “metaphor” originates from the Greek metaphorá, which means “to transfer” or “to carry over.” Indeed, a metaphor transfers meaning from one subject on to another so that the target subject can be understood in a new way.

Rhetoricians have further elaborated on the definition of metaphor by separating and naming the two key elements. There are a few different sets of names for these two parts: they can be called the “tenor” and the “vehicle”, the “ground” and the “figure”, or the “target” and the “source”. Consider this famous example of a metaphor from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”:

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.

In this example, the world is the primary subject, and it gains attributes from the stage (ie, from theater). Thus, in the binary pairs, the world is the “tenor,” the “ground,” and the “target,” while the stage is the “vehicle,” the “figure,” and the “source.”

Difference between Metaphor and Simile, and Other Types of Analogies

Metaphor is a type of analogy , which is a class of rhetorical figures of speech that creates comparisons between different objects. Other examples of analogies are similes, allegories, hyperboles, and puns. Here are the key differences between these different terms:

• Simile : As stated above, a simile posits a likeness or similarity between two things by connecting them with “like” or “as.” Since a metaphor asserts that one thing is, in fact, identical to another it is often considered a stronger form of analogy than a simile. For example, stating, “Frank is a pig” is a stronger statement of disgust than “Frank is like a pig.”
• Allegory : An allegory is a complete story that uses an extended metaphor throughout the entire story to illustrate complex ideas in a comprehensible way. George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is an allegory that uses the extended metaphor of animals starting a revolution on their farm to characterize the figures of the Russian Revolution.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole compares or describes things in an exaggerated way for the sake of emphasis. It is common, for example, to pronounce, “I’m starving” when one is merely hungry or “I’m freezing” when one is quite cold. The state of starvation is much more dire than mere hunger, and so we say we are starving to emphasize the need for food.
• Pun : Like metaphor, a pun uses comparison to create cognitive links between two things. The difference between the two terms is that a pun does so for comedic effect. For example: “I’m glad I know sign language, it’s pretty handy.” In this pun, the word “handy” refers both to the usefulness of sign language and also to the fact that sign language relies on the speakers’ hands.

Examples of Metaphor from Common Speech

Many common sayings are metaphors. Here are just a few examples:

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
• It was raining cats and dogs.
• Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
• People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• A watched pot never boils.

Significance of Metaphor in Literature

Metaphor is a key component of all forms of literature, including poetry, prose , and drama . This is not only because metaphor is a highly useful literary device, but also because it is such a vital part of all language and communication. Many cognitive theorists have researched and written about the importance of metaphor in the way we understand the world around us. For example, in western culture the phrase “time is money” is quite prevalent. This is not just a cliché, though; we talk about time in terms of wasting it, spending it, saving it, and so on. The metaphorical comparison of these two concepts ends up influencing the way people in cultures actually perceive time.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that there are examples of metaphor in literature from every culture. The use of metaphor allows authors to present unfamiliar ideas or situations in ways that the reader is able to comprehend by comparing unknown things to known things. This can be a good technique for fantasy writers or science fiction writers to make the worlds they create seem more familiar to the reader. Metaphors can also be used, however, to compare very common things to one another. This type of usage forges a cognitive link between previously unrelated objects and makes readers appreciate them in a new way.

Examples of Metaphor from Literature

ROMEO: But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

( Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)

As one of the most famous romances of all time, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet  has many often-quoted lines about love. In this line, Romeo uses the metaphor of Juliet being the rising sun to demonstrate his devotion. Sunrise can signify new hope, which is how Romeo views his relationship with Juliet. Furthermore, the planet revolves around the sun and Romeo feels that his world now revolves around Juliet.

He says, you have to study and learn so that you can make up your own mind about history and everything else but you can’t make up an empty mind. Stock your mind, stock your mind. You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.

( Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt)

Frank McCourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes is primarily about the poverty in which he grew up. This lovely excerpt, however, demonstrates how he was able to conceptualize his life as having a large amount of potential. Even though McCourt was poor, he could think of his mind as a palace and therefore have riches beyond belief available to him.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked… …who disappeared into the volcanoes of Mexico leaving behind nothing but the shadow of dungarees and the lava and ash of poetry scattered in fireplace Chicago.

(“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg)

Allen Ginsberg’s 1955 poem “Howl” contains hallucinatory images and wild descriptions. In this particularly vivid excerpt, Ginsberg slides from the imagery of Mexican volcanoes to the “lava and ash of poetry” left behind in fireplaces. The unexpected juxtaposition of these two images is a good example of how metaphor can work to broaden a reader’s conceptual base for a concept, in this case about poetry.

Test Your Knowledge of Metaphor

1. What is the correct metaphor definition? A. A comparison between two things for comedic effect. B. A comparison between two things using “like” or “as”. C. A comparison between two things that states one thing is the other thing.

2. Why is the following excerpt from Robert Frost’s “After Apple Picking” a metaphor example?

…there may be two or three Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples; I am drowsing off. I have had too much Of apple-picking; I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired.

A. The speaker in the poem is thinking of the apples that have gone to waste and wishing that he had picked those apples as well. B. The speaker in the poem is comparing the work of apple picking to life itself and feeling that, at the end of his life, he is ready to rest/pass away rather than keep working. C. The speaker in the poem wishes he had more energy for apple picking.

3. Which of the following lines from Shakespeare’s “ Sonnet 18” contains a metaphor?

A.  “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” B.  “But thy eternal summer shall not fade” C.  “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see”  

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Metaphor: Definition and Examples

What is a metaphor, definition of metaphor.

Table of Contents

Examples of Metaphors with Explanations

Examples of metaphors using non-literal words, real-life examples of metaphors, metaphors vs similes, video lesson, why metaphors are important.

• Life is a journey.
• Love is a rose.
• Time is money.
• Her smile is sunshine.
• He is a snake.

More Examples of Metaphors

• Paul's face was a blue moon pocked with craters.
• Her eyes were darting searchlights, scanning the room for her rival.
• She is a fox.
• Dave is a bad apple.
• She gave him an icy stare.
• David sliced her down with his words.
• These waves " know " when you're off balance.
• Conscience is a man's compass. (Artist Vincent van Gogh)
• All religions, arts, and sciences are branches of the same tree. (Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein)
• John and Mary had never met. They were two hummingbirds who had also never met. (Anon)
• True friends stab you in the front. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
• Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos .

(Benefit 1) Metaphors can be engaging.

• We can jumpstart innovation among the workforce.
• Please write a protein-rich one-pager for the CEO's back-to-work pack.
• Be memorable.
• Make an impact.
• Be used for emphasis.
• Make you look confident.
• Option 1 is throwing the pilot from a stricken aircraft to make it lighter.

(Benefit 2) Metaphors can aid understanding.

• During interphase, the protein binds to DNA with its elbow and then digs in with its fingers during mitosis. (Professor Leonie Ringrose)
• Our physical being is the hardware of a computer . Culture is the operating system . (Business consultant Christian Hoeferle)

(Benefit 3) Metaphors can be memorable and impactful.

• We must throw a party on our home page.
• Red Bull gives you wings.

(Risk 1) Metaphors can portray you as flippant, dull, or cheesy.

• No more putting lipstick on a pig. I need more thinking outside of the box, more blue-sky thinking. I need an idea with legs, an idea on steroids.
• Metaphors are the basil and garlic of writing.
• If it's appropriate for your business document, you can use a fresh metaphor to spice up your writing, to clarify an idea, or to make your message more memorable. But don't use two.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that denotes a certain object or idea is applied to another word or phrase to imply some similarity between them.

• A refrigerator is very cold. In this example, “refrigerator” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the inside of the car” to imply that the inside of the car was very cold.

• A bottomless pit can never be filled. In this example, “bottomless pit” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the teenage boy’s stomach” to imply that his appetite could never be satisfied (that is, his stomach could never be filled).

Why Use a Metaphor?

Speakers and writers use metaphors for several reasons:

• Metaphors can help readers or listeners to better understand something about the object or idea to which the metaphor is being applied.
• Metaphors can make speaking and writing more lively and interesting.
• Metaphors can communicate a great deal of meaning with just a word or a phrase.
• Metaphors, because they imply rather than directly state relationships, can get listeners and readers to think about what they are hearing or reading.

Some More Metaphors

Depending on what you are trying to communicate when writing or speaking, just about any word or phrase can be used as a metaphor. Here are some sentences in which a metaphor is used. In each sentence, the metaphor appears in bold print. What the metaphor implies is shown after each sentence.

• The teacher got to the bottom of the problem. (This implies that the teacher got to the source of the problem.)
• My dad was boiling mad . (This implies that my dad was very, very angry.)
• His idea was difficult to swallow . (This implies that his idea was hard to accept.)
• The homework was a breeze . (This implies that the homework was very easy to do.)
• They showered the birthday girl with gifts. (This implies that they gave the girl many gifts.)
• My memory of the event is foggy . (This implies that my memory of what happened was unclear.)
• Her dog, Jake, was the sunshine of her life. (This implies that Jake was the brightest or best part of her life.)
• Mary stole the spotlight with her performance. (This implies that Mary’s performance made her the center of attention.)
• If I were you, I would steer clear of that topic. (This implies that you should stay away from that topic.)
• After graduating from college, William decided to market himself as a computer specialist. (This implies that William decided to present himself as a computer specialist when looking for a job.)
• Alice was thrilled when her idea began to bear fruit . (This implies that Alice’s idea produced results.)
• I knew he was just joking because I could see a smile sprouting from the edges of his lips. (This implies that a smile was forming and growing.)
• Helen and Maria hatched a plan to help Maria become president of her class. (This implies that Helen and Maria came up with a plan.)
• Each year, a new crop of students entered Harrison High School. (This implies that each year a new group of students entered whose skills and abilities would grow during their years at Harrison.)
• The suspect clammed up when the police began to ask him questions about where he had been the night of the crime. (This implies that the suspect shut his mouth and said nothing.)

A Strategy for Using Metaphors

• Identify what it is you want to communicate about that object or idea. You want to bring out how beautiful the sunset is.
• Identify another object or idea that strongly implies what you want to communicate. You decide that the idea of “painted” would be a good way to communicate the beauty of the sunset.
• Construct a sentence in which you link the idea of painted with sunset. For example, you could write or say, “The sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors.”

Congratulations! You have just used painted as a metaphor.

Using metaphors when you write and speak will allow you to communicate more effectively and in a more interesting way.

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What is a Metaphor? Definition, Examples & Types of Metaphors

by Fija Callaghan

Some of us might remember learning about metaphors in our high school English class—unless you had a hard time learning because your classroom was a bit of a zoo or your English teacher was a dragon. You might also dimly remember that a metaphor is actually a much bigger concept than just swapping out one word for another; its power lies in its ability to draw comparisons between things, people, ideas, or entire worlds.

Let’s explore what metaphors are, some of the things metaphors can be in the world of a story, how they compare to other literary imagery, and how to use them in your own writing. We’ll show you lots of metaphor examples, too!

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a literary device that correlates two seemingly unrelated ideas in order to make the reader see them in a new way. It tells the reader that two ideas are in essence the same thing: for instance, “love is a battlefield” or “she was a night owl.”

Metaphors draw surprising comparisons in order to highlight new ideas or perspectives about a person, place, or societal issue. A metaphor doesn’t only suggest that these two things have similarities (this would make it a simile, which we’ll look at below), but it equates them directly, visually and emotionally, as one and the same.

In this example, calling someone a night owl probably doesn’t mean they’ve taken on the form of an actual bird of prey, complete with feathers and scaly feet and creepily revolving head—it means that they’re more comfortable in nighttime environments. It’s using a creative image to convey a truth about the subject in a clear, colorful way.

Metaphors have been used since the dawn of literature; the Greek philosopher Aristotle considered mastery of metaphorical language a “sign of genius.”

Metaphors are wonderful for packing rich, detailed description into just a few words. For instance, “the moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas” is a beautifully descriptive metaphor from Alfred Noyes’ The Highwayman . The rich and direct metaphor makes the moment much more powerful phrasing than tediously describing the scene: “it was a dark and stormy night, and the moon was full and glowing like some glowy effervescent round thing, like a coin maybe, but not one of those scummy ones that get tossed in the gutter, like a big important glowing coin, and the seas were tossing about something terrible.” Gets tiresome, no?

The word “metaphor” comes from the Greek metaphorá , which means “to transfer” or “to carry over.” This suggests a kind of literary transference, in which you’re taking the idea behind one word and maneuvering it into place behind another word. It’s this exciting, slightly haphazard malleability of everyday language that gives us so many wonderful literary devices , like metaphors, to use in our work.

Metaphor vs. simile

Now that we know what metaphors are, what about similes? These are two literary devices that get easily confused because they’re so closely related. Both use an implied comparison to convey larger concepts.

While a metaphor takes one image and uses it in place of another one, a simile draws a parallel between two ideas using connecting words or prepositional phrases like “as,” “like,” or “similar to.” For example, “skin white as snow, lips red as roses” uses two similes to describe someone in a visual way. In both cases the sentence uses the word “as” to suggest a connection. If you were to say, “her lips were roses in full bloom,” that’s a metaphor, not a simile, because we’re equating them directly and not using comparison words like “as.”

Let’s revisit the phrase “she was a night owl.” You could also communicate the same idea using a simile: “she stayed up until the wee hours of the morning as easily as an owl,” which is wordier but not bad either. Both metaphors and similes work beautifully when used well, and it’s your job as the writer to decide which is right for each sensory moment of your story.

Metaphor vs. metonym

A metonym is another similar literary device that that uses one thing to stand in place for another thing. The difference is that a metaphor uses two seemingly unrelated concepts to create a new perspective, while a metonym uses a smaller idea to encompass a larger one.

For example, the city of London was once called “The Big Smoke,” alluding to the excessive exhaust and pollution in the city’s air; here, the small visual image of smoke is used to represent the larger city as a whole. The American film industry is often referred to as “Hollywood” and the stock exchange is often called “Wall Street”; both of these metonyms use a small slice of the industry’s location to represent the idea in its entirety.

Using a “mother tongue” to mean a language or someone’s “word” to indicate a promise made are other examples of metonyms. Unlike metaphors, a metonym must use two closely related ideas with an obvious connection. While metaphors are used to create vivid, original images, metonyms are mostly used for brevity and impact.

Line-level metaphors vs. story metaphors

Now that we have a clear idea of what metaphors are, let’s look at the two major ways they can be used in a story: at a line level, and at a broader story level.

Line-level metaphors are the types we looked at above: using two seemingly unrelated ideas to present a powerful, original image. For example, writing that a character has “the heart of a lion” to imply that they have a lot of inner strength is a line-level metaphor. So is “he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing” or “she was a forgotten branch of the family tree.” Line-level metaphors work instantaneously in small doses to give color and imaginative detail to your story.

Story-level metaphors take root deeper under the surface of the narrative.

The Wizard of Oz contains a number of story-level metaphors that have been studied by scholars for decades: for example, the main character’s journey along the yellow brick road is thought to be a story-level metaphor for the journey we take through life—going out in search of something greater, of a way out of our self-imposed limitations, only to find that what the adventure was really all about was finding a place to call home. The yellow brick road occurs repeatedly throughout the story, and its interpretation as a metaphor is only effective if we consider its place across the entire narrative. That’s what makes it a story-level metaphor.

A number of hidden political meanings have been attributed to the supporting characters in The Wizard of Oz too, such as the Scarecrow as a metaphor for the struggles of American farmers of the time, the Tin Man as a metaphor for the equally worn out industrial workers, and the domesticated flying monkeys as metaphors for the displaced and mistreated indigenous people. These could have been intentional on the part of the author, they could have crept in subconsciously, or they could have been attributed later during in-depth studies of the work.

The intended meanings in L. Frank Baum’s iconic work can only be guessed at, but these story-level metaphors give you an idea of the sorts of deeper socially relevant meanings you can weave throughout your own writing.

The 5 different types of metaphor

Now that we’ve explored the different ways you can use metaphors in your writing, let’s take a closer look at the specific types of metaphors you have available in your box of writer’s tools. (That was another metaphor. The box is your brain.)

1. Standard metaphor

Also called a simple or direct metaphor, this follows the basic line level formula of this thing is actually this other thing . “Life is a rollercoaster (/highway/song/day-old bottle of champagne)” is a standard metaphor. So is “a fish out of water” and “all the world’s a stage.” A good metaphor implies something deeper and more thought-provoking than its literal meaning.

When a metaphor becomes too overused and acclimatized, it becomes what’s known as a “dead metaphor.” Dead metaphors are when a metaphor has either become a tired cliché, or is no longer noticeable as a literary device. For example, we talk about our “family trees” so often that we’ve largely forgotten it was once a figure of speech.

2. Implied metaphor

Like a standard metaphor, an implied metaphor also works on a line level; but unlike a standard metaphor, an implied metaphor uses subtler imagery to suggest a correlation rather than stating the connection outright. To say that someone was “lured into a web” implies a similarity between the lurer and a spider; someone who “barks orders” or “purrs contentedly” makes us think of the actions of a dog or a cat in a smoother, more elegant way than if we had said “she was a purring cat.” You could also say that someone “lights up a room,” comparing them to the sun or a daylit window. You’ll often see these types of metaphors in poetry as well as everyday ordinary language.

3. Visual metaphor

Sometimes called a pictorial metaphor, a visual metaphor is most common in ads and other visual marketing mediums. An advertisement for a sports car might show a picture of a cheetah, suggesting the animal’s speed and strength. Likewise, a perfume advertisement might use vivid imagery to imply both the scent and the promised reactions to it, such as a fresh cut summer lawn or velvet theater curtains. Visual metaphors are also used in safety and warning signs to convey an idea without using words.

Though less commonly used in literature, they are frequently explored in a range of other storytelling mediums to help convey abstract and thematic ideas in concrete, creative ways.

4. Extended metaphor

Sometimes called a sustained metaphor, extended metaphors are either used for a longer story beat or recurs consistently throughout a work.

In The Great Gatsby , the central character begins a speech with “this is a valley of ashes,” comparing the impoverished people of the city to the image of ash. For a paragraph, he observes and laments the “ash-grey men” and their ash houses and chimneys, building on this metaphor with each line until we can see the entire grey world through his eyes.

Story-level metaphors are nearly always extended throughout the narrative, whether it’s a small scene or an entire novel. They build on a seed of an idea and carry it throughout the events of the plot to help support the story’s central theme .

When the extended metaphor becomes so huge that the entire story, plot, and characters become a metaphor for something else—such as George Orwell’s famous novel Animal Farm , which is a metaphor for the political events leading to the Russian Revolution— the story is called an allegory .

5. Malaphor

A malaphor, also called a mixed metaphor, is when a commonly used metaphor is turned on its head. Mixed metaphors might be something like telling someone they’re “not the sharpest apple in the sandbox” or saying “we’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.” These can be lighthearted, humorous, and sometimes even convey a clever new meaning.

Be mindful, however, of using these mixed metaphors unintentionally , as they can be distracting. Saying “you hit the nail on the nose” or calling a book “moth-eared” stick out in literature in a less positive way and can pull your reader out of your story.

How to use metaphors in your story

Writing metaphors is often an instinctive reaction to trying to communicate something, because our brains naturally look for connections in the world all the time. Here are a few things you can keep in mind when it comes to creating your own metaphor in your writing.

1. Begin with character

In good writing, everything should come from a place of character and metaphors are no exception. You can use metaphors to communicate something about the way a character looks, thinks, or behaves—for example, “she was a flamingo in a flock of pigeons,” or “he’s a rhinoceros in the boardroom.” While these two metaphors aren’t literally true, they communicate a bigger truth about who these people are.

You could also use metaphor to explore the relationship between two characters. For example, in Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare uses his now-famous metaphor, “What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” In this instance, Shakespeare is using the sun as a metaphor for Juliet’s radiance. And yet, when we look closer, we see that we’re not actually talking about Juliet at all. The metaphor is coming from what Romeo sees when he looks at her, the way he perceives the connection they have. The sun isn’t really a metaphor for a girl—it’s a metaphor for the central character’s love for her.

2. Examine your settings

Evocative settings are a wonderful way to add depth to any story. Using metaphors can make a familiar setting even more powerful. For example, you can say that a city was dark, depressing, and defeatist, or could say “the city was a junkyard of abandoned dreams.” Better, yeah? Not only does it give us all the information we need, but it gives us vivid images of a decrepit car park piled up with once-colourful dreams its residents had discarded long ago.

You could use this technique to explore smaller individual settings as well, like saying “her apartment was a matchbox on the fifth floor” (her apartment was very small), or “the head office was Mount Olympus to an industry of worshippers” (comparing the god-like quality of a company’s CEOs).

3. Explore your theme

Metaphor is one of the best literary devices for supporting your story’s theme. They help the reader look at the world of your story, and the message it’s trying to convey, in a new way.

This works on both the line level and the story level. For example, the imagery conveyed by the “junkyard” metaphor above gives further depth and richness to a themes of corruption, depravity, or fear vs. hope. If you were to describe the same city as “a glossy chrome playground for a bright new generation” or “a garden blooming with new ideas and new ideals,” it would give a very different tone to your story.

On a story level, you can use metaphor to convey another narrative underneath the one on the surface. In The Wizard of Oz we saw how characters can be metaphors for real people, societal issues, or current events. Prominent locations in your story can be metaphors, too—for instance, you could write about a guarded military complex on a distant alien planet as a metaphor for the White House, the summit of the European Union, the headquarters of a major cosmetics brand, or your old high school. These metaphors help communicate new perspectives and new ideas to your reader.

Metaphor brings color to the world of your story

Metaphors are something we see nearly every day in our colloquial speech, entertainment, and advertisements. It’s easy to forget that there’s a real art to incorporating them into a story and using them to elevate that story into something new. When used well, metaphors can convey sensory detail, character, humor, social awareness, and theme. Try using creative metaphors to help your readers see your story—and the world—in an exciting new light.

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55+ Metaphor Examples, Plus Clever Ideas To Teach Them

A metaphor is a hidden key.

Writers use figurative language like metaphors to bring their writing to life. But what exactly is a metaphor (and how is it different from a simile)? Learn more about this literary device, and get metaphor examples and teaching ideas for your students.

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a literary device that draws a comparison between two otherwise unrelated things. It’s used to make an idea more relatable to the reader, or to evoke an emotional response. Metaphors often use hyperbole, or exaggerated language, to paint a vivid picture.

• Example: Today’s history exam was a total nightmare.

Metaphors are examples of figurative language, where the words are meaningful but not strictly true. In the above example, the speaker doesn’t mean that they fell asleep during their exam and had a nightmare. Instead, they’re drawing a comparison between the two to help the reader understand how terrible the experience was.

Metaphor vs. Analogy

Metaphors are similar to another literary device, the analogy. However, a metaphor is used to evoke feeling and emotion. A writer uses an analogy to help the reader draw a logical conclusion. If you’re trying to figure out if a phrase is a metaphor or an analogy, ask whether it’s meant to provoke an emotional reaction or help a reader understand something through logic.

• Metaphor: Time is a remorseless river.
• Analogy: Time is like a rapid river, flowing remorselessly onward. Trying to swim upstream is futile; you must simply go where the currents take you.

Metaphor vs. Simile

To add to the confusion, similes are another type of figurative language comparison used as a literary device. In a simile, though, the writer uses the words “like” or “as” rather than making a direct comparison.

• Metaphor: The sound of her voice was music to their ears.
• Simile: Her voice was like music.

Learn more about similes here.

What are the different types of metaphors?

We can break metaphors down into specific types:

This is the most basic type of metaphor, in which the writer simply makes a stated comparison between two unrelated things.

• Standard metaphor example: Racism is a fatal disease for our society.

The direct comparison here is between racism and a disease, bluntly stated and easy to identify.

Implied: In an implied metaphor, the writer is more subtle, using imagery to evoke the comparison between two things.

• Implied metaphor example: It was time for Elijah to spread his wings and fly.

By using language about wings and flying, the author implies a metaphor between Elijah and a bird.

In a visual metaphor, an image replaces or reinforces the words. This classic public service announcement from the 1980s is an excellent visual metaphor example:

As the name implies, an extended metaphor is more than just one sentence. It can be a series of lines in poetry, or a theme carried through paragraphs (or an entire book) in prose. Analogies can seem like extended metaphors, but remember that analogies are meant to help the reader draw logical conclusions, while metaphors provoke an emotional response.

• Extended metaphor example: “The dim attic was a forgotten lifetime. Cobwebs in the corners were shadowy memories, and rusty locked trunks held the passed years. A layer of soft dust lay over all, a blanket of lamented time gone by.”

Each sentence in this paragraph extends the metaphorical connection between the attic and a life lived long ago.

The term “dead metaphor” can be used in several ways, but it generally means a metaphorical expression that has lost its power over time. This might be because the original meaning of a word has changed or that it has fallen out of use. A dead metaphor can also be an overused cliche, one that we’ve all heard so often it no longer has much impact.

• Dead metaphor example: That remark was really beyond the pale.

You’ve probably heard this phrase, but do you know what it actually means? Many years ago, “the pale” referred to a wooden stake used to mark a boundary line. To say something was “beyond the pale” meant that it crossed an accepted boundary. This phrase is still used today, though few know what it actually means, making it a dead metaphor.

Mixed Metaphors

What about the phrase “mixed metaphors”? Once again, the clue is in the name: A mixed metaphor is when the writer or speaker mixes two comparisons into one metaphor, making things more confusing instead of clearer. Mixed metaphors are often combinations of well-known phrases.

• We’ll cross that bridge when the ball is in our court.

This sentence combines two common metaphors. The first, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” compares dealing with an issue or making a decision to crossing a bridge. The second, “The ball is in our court,” makes a connection between taking your turn in a ball game and dealing with an issue or a decision. Put together, the two frankly sound a little bit silly, so strong writers try to avoid mixing metaphors.

General Metaphor Examples

• Tom is the black sheep of his family.
• The vast parking lot was a Sahara under the relentless sun.
• As the children started to work, the classroom became a beehive of activity.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Time is a thief, stealing moments away before we know it.
• Her smile was a lighthouse, guiding him safely across the crowded room.
• Li’s anger was a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.
• Romance is the key to her heart.
• Olivia’s words were sharp daggers, cutting Jordan down to size.
• To Leslie, the vacant lot was a blank canvas, waiting to be turned into a beautiful park.
• Your bedroom is a pigsty—clean it up!
• A storm of emotions brewed deep inside, under Juan’s calm exterior.
• Life is a journey, so enjoy each step along the way.
• Her shrill laugh was nails on a chalkboard to me.
• Love is a rose, with sweet fragrance and sharp thorns.
• If I’m going to get all this work done on time, I’ll need to be a real machine today.
• With our boss out of town for the week, this place is a real circus.
• As she watched him sing, April’s face was an open book.
• Assad’s eyes were deep pools, drawing him in.
• Layla’s pride is her armor, protecting her from all attacks.

Metaphor Examples From Literature

• “I’m a riddle in nine syllables.” ( “Metaphors” by Sylvia Plath)
• “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” ( As You Like It by William Shakespeare)
• “Hope is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul.” ( “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson)
• “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” ( Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)
• “Her mouth was a fountain of delight.” ( The Storm by Kate Chopin)
• “Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.” ( Speak by Laurie Anderson)
• “The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed: It was past eight thirty and still light.”( The Fault in Our Stars by John Green)
• “Light the first page, light the second page. Each becomes a black butterfly. Beautiful, eh?” ( Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
• “He glanced out the rear window at the iron centipede of traffic.” ( Sins of Two Fathers by Denis Hamill)
• “His grin is a large plastic comb of teeth.” ( Anagrams by Lorrie Moore)
• “Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” (“Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas
• “Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky.” ( Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran)
• “Time rises and rises, and when it reaches the level of your eyes you drown.” ( The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood)
• “Fame is a bee / It has a song— / It has a sting— / Ah, too, it has a wing.” (“Fame Is a Bee” by Emily Dickinson)
• “Middle C is the belly button of the piano.” ( I Could Tell You Stories by Patricia Hampl)

Metaphor Examples From Songs

• “Baby, you’re a firework! Come on, let your colors burst.” (“Firework” by Katy Perry)
• “Love is a battlefield.” (“Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar)
• “Life is a highway. I wanna ride it all night long.” (“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane)
• “You are the sunshine of my life.” (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder)
• “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time.” (“Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley)
• “I’m the sunshine in your hair / I’m the shadow on the ground.” (“I’m Already There” by Lonestar)
• “I’m the satellite, and you’re the sky.” (“Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon)
• “My heart’s a stereo / It beats for you so listen close.” (“Stereo Hearts” by Maroon 5)
• “You are the thunder and I am the lightning.” (“Naturally” by Selena Gomez)
• “I’m a hot-air balloon that could go to space.” (“Happy” by Pharrell Williams)
• “My lover’s got humor / She’s the giggle at a funeral.” (“Take Me to Church” by Hozier)
• “All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.” (“Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd)
• “And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger.” (“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor)
• “I got that sunshine in my pocket.” (“Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake)
• “You’re my kryptonite / You keep making me weak.” (“One Thing” by One Direction)

How To Teach Metaphors

In addition to sharing metaphor examples with students, try these smart teaching ideas.

Write paint chip poetry

Kids will love this creative activity where they write color metaphors on paint chip samples. Hang a bulletin board full of them, and you’ll have a vivid metaphor display for the classroom!

Learn more: Paint Chip Poetry via Fabulous in Fifth

Mix and match similes and metaphors

This split-page book is so much fun for kids to make, and it gives them practice with figurative language like metaphors, similes, and more.

Learn more: Mix-and-Match Metaphors via Teaching in Room 6

Take the metaphor challenge

This one is great for middle or high school, since it can be a bit tough. Each student draws a slip of paper with a random word or phrase on it. Then they partner up and try to create a metaphor that links their two words together.

Learn more: Metaphor Challenge via Learning in Room 213

What are your favorite metaphor examples to use in the classroom? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 75+ appealing alliteration examples (plus teaching ideas) ..

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Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

Metaphor Worksheets

A metaphor is one kind of figurative language, as shown in our metaphor worksheets. These metaphor worksheets will help students explore the difference between similes and metaphors. These metaphor worksheets will teach students to identify metaphors, use metaphors in writing and distinguish between metaphors and similes. Each of the metaphor worksheets are free to duplicate for home or classroom use.

Helpful Definitions and Examples

Metaphor Examples What is a Metaphor?

Metaphor Printable Worksheet Activities

Metaphor and simile: about you.

In this worksheet your student will write metaphors and similes about himself.

Metaphor Hunt

Students underline all the metaphors in this brief story called, “The Haircut”.

Metaphor Meanings

Students read each sentence and tell what each metaphor is comparing.

Metaphors and Similes in Shakespeare: Explain the Meaning

This worksheet features a variety of metaphors and similes from Shakespeare for your student to anaylze.

Metaphors and Similes: Explain the Meaning

Your student is asked to explain the meanings of these metaphors and similes in this worksheet.

Metaphors Compare Things

Students underline the metaphor and circle the people or objects that the metaphor is being used to compare.

Mixed Metaphors!

Metaphors are great, until they get mixed up!

Using Metaphors

Students read each sentence and re-write it using a metaphor.

Warm Up to Metaphors!

The job was a breeze. Casey is a night owl. These are examples of metaphors. Print out this free worksheet and have your students identify the metaphors as well as come up with their own.

What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor worksheet that prompts students read each sentence and explain what the metaphor compares

Which Is It? Metaphor or Simile?

Your student will decide which is a metaphor and which is a simile in this worksheet.

Write a Christmas Metaphor or Simile

Similes are fun to write, especially in this Christmas themed worksheet! Along with similes, students will also write a sentence using metaphors.

Figurative Language: What Is It?

This multiple choice worksheet asks your student to identify the type of figurative language used in the sentence or phrase.

Working with Figurative Language

In this worksheet your student will match up the figures of speech with the phrase or sentence.

A Visit From St. Nicholas Figurative Language Activity

In this worksheet about the famous Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” your student will find the similes and metaphors.

Metaphor for Schools

Delving into the world of academia, the school setting provides a rich tapestry for metaphorical expressions. From the early years of molding young minds to the triumphs of graduation, schools symbolize growth, challenges, and transformations. Our guide on ‘ Metaphor Examples for Schools’ not only showcases some of the most evocative metaphors but also offers insights on how to pen them. Whether you’re a writer, teacher, or student, these metaphors and tips will enrich your linguistic arsenal and understanding of the educational journey.

What is a Metaphor for School/ Studying?

A metaphor for learning in school or studying is a figure of speech that, without using “like” or “as,” equates school or the act of studying with something else to illuminate a particular quality or aspect. This is often done to provide deeper insight or to express feelings, characteristics, and emotions related to education.

What is the Best Metaphor Example for Schools?

One of the most evocative metaphors for school is “School is a beacon of knowledge in the vast sea of ignorance.” This popular metaphor emphasizes the guiding and enlightening role that schools play in dispelling darkness and ignorance, much like how a beacon guides ships safely to shore.

100 Metaphor Examples for Schools

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• The classroom is a hive buzzing with activity.
• Mathematics is the key that unlocks the doors of the universe.
• High school is a roller coaster of emotions.
• College applications are the golden gates to one’s future.
• Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge that last a lifetime.
• Homework is the fuel that powers the engine of understanding.
• Science labs are the playgrounds for budding Einsteins.
• The library is a gold mine of knowledge.
• The gym is the battlefield where skills are tested.
• Graduation is the horizon marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
• School buses are the vessels that ferry young minds to the shores of knowledge.
• The bell is the heartbeat of the school day.
• Exams are the hurdles on the track of education.
• Summer break is an oasis in the academic year.
• School is the foundation upon which we build our future.
• The blackboard is a canvas where ideas come to life.
• The principal’s office is the control room of the school.
• Teachers are the sculptors molding future leaders.
• Report cards are mirrors reflecting our academic selves.
• The cafeteria is the melting pot of cultures and tastes.
• Sports day is the annual Olympics of our school.
• Each lesson is a step on the ladder of enlightenment.
• Kindergarten is the garden where young minds blossom.
• Schools are the crucibles where character is forged.
• The teacher’s desk is the command center of the classroom.
• The school anthem is the heartbeat of our collective spirit.
• Revision is the polish that makes knowledge shine.
• A good teacher is a lighthouse guiding students through storms of confusion.
• Field trips are windows to the world outside the classroom.
• The school bell heralds new beginnings and poignant endings.
• The student council is the government of the young republic.
• Sports coaches are the generals training their athletic armies.
• The school year is a marathon, with each term a milestone.
• A new school is an uncharted island of opportunities.
• School uniforms are the armor we wear to battle every academic challenge.
• Debate club is the courtroom of young orators.
• The school courtyard is the pulse of student life.
• History lessons are time machines into the past.
• Music class is the symphony of soulful expressions.
• Art rooms are the nurseries of creativity.
• The school’s mission statement is its North Star.
• Language classes are passports to foreign lands.
• The annual play is the Broadway of school life.
• Morning assembly is the daily meditation of the school.
• School reunions are time capsules opened after years.
• Textbooks are the silent mentors of our academic journey.
• The staff room is the backstage of the school’s daily performance.
• The school’s crest is its badge of honor.
• Exams are the thermometers measuring knowledge.
• Scholarships are the golden tickets to dreams.
• Detention is the short-term prison of school life.
• Teachers’ feedback is the GPS for academic improvement.
• Parent-teacher meetings are the bridges connecting home and school.
• A school’s reputation is its shadow, ever-present.
• Clubs and societies are the laboratories of hobbies and interests.
• School photos are the frozen moments in the river of time.
• The school yearbook is the archive of fleeting moments.
• Labs are the kitchens cooking up experiments.
• The school gate is the threshold between childhood and the world.
• Lockers are the personal vaults of secrets and memories.
• The morning pledge is the daily mantra of allegiance.
• Tutors are the unsung heroes of academic success.
• School elections are the first taste of democracy in action.
• Sports meets are the arenas showcasing gladiatorial prowess.
• Night study sessions are the midnight lamps of determination.
• Boarding school is the cocoon of self-discovery.
• Morning recess is the oasis of relaxation.
• School magazines are the chronicles of yearly endeavors.
• Classroom discussions are the symposiums of young philosophers.
• Remedial classes are the hospitals healing academic wounds.
• School corridors echo with tales of yesteryears.
• The school’s motto is its unchanging creed.
• Practical exams are the real-world test drives of knowledge.
• Study groups are the think tanks of collective brains.
• Teachers are the compasses directing our academic journey.
• The school emblem is its silent war cry.
• The school choir is the melody of unity.
• Annual functions are the festivals of achievements.
• School is the map charting the paths of countless futures.
• Mock tests are the rehearsals before the grand show.
• Project work is the canvas of collaborative efforts.
• Student achievements are the jewels in the school’s crown.
• Language labs are the crossroads of cultures.
• The school’s vision is its guiding star.
• School oaths are the pledges of honor and duty.
• Class leaders are the captains steering their classroom ships.
• The playground is the sandbox of dreams and aspirations.
• The computer lab is the digital universe in a room.
• The notice board is the daily newspaper of the school.
• Exams are the litmus tests of comprehension.
• The school mascot is the symbol of pride and unity.
• Student diaries are the autobiographies of academic lives.
• Holiday homework is the bridge between school years.
• Parent interactions are the town hall meetings of the school.
• The morning prayer is the spiritual start to academic endeavors.
• Career guidance sessions are the compasses for future paths.
• Scholar badges are the medals of academic valor.
• School trips are the adventures beyond classroom walls.
• School is the chisel shaping raw talent into masterpieces.
• Annual reports are the report cards of the institution itself

Metaphor Examples for Learning

Delving into the intricacies of learning, we often search for ways to represent the transformation and evolution it brings. These simple metaphors capture the essence and beauty of acquiring knowledge.

• Learning is a puzzle, each piece a new skill or knowledge.
• Absorbing knowledge is like a sponge soaking up water.
• Every lesson learned is a new feather in the cap of the mind.
• Acquiring skills is like weaving a tapestry of expertise.
• Learning is the bridge that spans the chasm of ignorance.

Metaphor Examples for Students

Students embody hope, potential, and ambition. They constantly adapt and change, brimming with the possibilities of tomorrow. These metaphors illuminate the journey and spirit of every student.

• Students are clay, malleable and ready to be shaped.
• Each student is a budding flower, waiting to bloom.
• A student’s mind is a blank canvas, eager for the artist’s stroke.
• They stand as saplings in the forest of knowledge, reaching for the sun.
• Students are stars, each one shining with its own light.

Metaphor Examples for Teachers

Teachers play a pivotal role in sculpting the minds of the future. With patience, dedication, and care, they transform the educational landscape. These metaphors for teaching pay homage to their invaluable contribution.

• A teacher is a gardener, nurturing the seeds of tomorrow.
• They are the architects, designing the structures of understanding.
• In the orchestra of education, teachers are the conductors.
• A teacher is a lighthouse, guiding ships safely to shore.
• They are the blacksmiths, tempering raw metal into fine blades of intellect.

Funny Metaphor Examples for Schools

Schools can be a blend of joy, humor, and chaos. While they are pillars of education, they also bring out funny, light-hearted moments that everyone remembers. These metaphors add a humorous touch to school life.

• School is a zoo, each class a different exhibit.
• The cafeteria is the wild jungle of flavors and food fights.
• Homework is the gremlin that eats up free time.
• Exams are the sneaky ninjas testing our defenses.
• The school bell is the alarm clock nobody asked for.

Metaphors about First Day of School

The first day of school is a memorable rite of passage. It’s a mix of anxiety, excitement, and the start of a new chapter. These metaphors encapsulate the myriad of emotions felt on that special day.

• The first day is the maiden voyage into the ocean of academia.
• It’s the opening scene in the theater of the school year.
• The initial school day is the first brushstroke on the canvas of the term.
• It’s like turning the first page in the novel of a new academic year.
• The first day stands as the dawn of countless adventures and stories

How to Write Metaphors for Schools – Step by Step

• Identify the Purpose: Before creating a metaphor, understand why you need it. Are you trying to evoke a certain emotion, explain a complex idea, or add humor?
• Brainstorm Common School Themes: Think of the universal experiences or objects in schools: homework, classes, students, teachers, exams, recess, etc.
• List Unrelated Objects or Scenarios: Think outside of the educational realm. This could include nature (forests, oceans, stars), daily life (traffic, gardening, cooking), or any other domain.
• Draw Connections: Try to link the school theme with the unrelated object. For instance, how is a teacher similar to a gardener? Both nurture growth. Thus, “A teacher is like a gardener, tending to young minds, helping them bloom.”
• Use Vivid Imagery: Make your metaphor more impactful by adding details. Instead of just saying “School is a journey,” you could elaborate with “School is a winding journey, with its steep hills of challenges and panoramic views of achievements.”
• Avoid Clichés: While “knowledge is power” is a valid metaphor, it’s been used frequently. Try to think of fresh, innovative comparisons.
• Test It Out: Share your metaphor with others. If they quickly understand and relate to it, you’re on the right track. If not, you might need to refine it for clarity.
• Keep Context in Mind: Ensure your metaphor is appropriate for the age group and cultural context. A metaphor that works well for college students might not resonate with elementary school kids.
• Be Mindful of Length: Metaphors are typically most effective when they’re concise. However, for certain narratives or poetic contexts, extended metaphors can be used.
• Revise and Refine: Like all writing, your first draft might not be perfect. Refine your metaphor, enhance its imagery, or simplify it if necessary.

Remember, the beauty of a metaphor lies in its ability to make readers or listeners see something familiar in a new light. With practice and observation, your ability to craft compelling metaphors for schools will only improve.

How to Implement Metaphors in Schools

Implementing metaphors in schools can enhance learning, making complex ideas more relatable and understandable for students. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to effectively use metaphors in an educational setting:

• Start with Familiar Concepts: Begin by introducing metaphors that draw on students’ existing knowledge or daily life experiences. This ensures comprehension and lays a foundation for introducing more complex metaphors.
• Integrate in Curriculum: Align metaphors with the current topic of study. For instance, when teaching about the circulatory system, you might compare it to a city’s transportation system.
• Interactive Lessons: Organize activities where students can come up with their metaphors. This encourages creativity and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
• Visual Aids: Use images, videos, or props to illustrate metaphors. Visual representations can make abstract concepts tangible and memorable.
• Discussion: Allow students to discuss and interpret metaphors. This helps them to grasp different perspectives and understand the layers of meaning.
• Incorporate in Assignments: Encourage students to use metaphors in their essays, stories, or projects. This not only enhances their writing skills but also deepens their understanding of the subject.
• Clarify Misunderstandings: Metaphors can sometimes lead to misconceptions. It’s essential to ensure that students understand the intended meaning and the limits of a metaphor.
• Use in Assessments: Create questions that require students to interpret or devise their metaphors. This tests their understanding and application of the concept.
• Extend to Real-life Situations: Encourage students to identify metaphors in daily life, be it in songs, movies, or books. This will help them recognize the pervasive nature of metaphors and their importance in communication.
• Review and Reflect: Regularly revisit and reflect on the metaphors introduced. Ask students which metaphors were most effective and why, fostering critical thinking.
• Diversify Sources: Incorporate metaphors from diverse cultures and languages. This introduces students to different ways of thinking and broadens their worldview.
• Stay Updated: As with any teaching method, it’s crucial to keep updating your metaphor bank. What was relevant a decade ago might not resonate with today’s students.

By implementing metaphors effectively in schools, educators can foster a richer, more engaging learning environment. It not only aids comprehension but also instills a love for language and its nuances in students.

Tips for School Metaphors

• Relatability is Key : Choose metaphors that students can easily connect with based on their age, interests, and experiences.
• Keep it Simple : Especially for younger students or those new to the concept of metaphors, it’s best to start with straightforward comparisons before delving into more complex ones.
• Encourage Creativity : Prompt students to come up with their metaphors. This fosters creativity and helps them internalize the concept.
• Use Multimedia : Visual and auditory aids, like videos or songs, can make a metaphor more impactful and memorable.
• Clarify the Differences : While metaphors can simplify concepts, they’re not perfect matches. Make sure students understand where the metaphor stops and the actual concept starts.
• Incorporate Diversity : Use metaphors from various cultures, backgrounds, and literature. It widens students’ perspectives and appreciation for different worldviews.
• Practice Makes Perfect : Regularly include metaphor exercises in lessons. Over time, students will become more adept at understanding and creating them.
• Feedback Loop : After presenting a metaphor, ensure there’s a discussion or Q&A session. This helps clarify any misunderstandings immediately.
• Update Regularly : Just as slang evolves, so do effective metaphors. What resonated with students a few years ago might not have the same impact today.
• Integrate with Literature : Use excerpts from books, poems, or speeches where metaphors are used effectively. Analyzing them in context deepens comprehension.
• Interactive Activities : Organize group activities or games that revolve around metaphors. For instance, a game where students match concepts with their metaphorical counterparts can be both fun and educational.
• Connect with Emotions : Metaphors that evoke emotion tend to be more impactful. Drawing comparisons with emotions like happiness, sadness, or excitement can make lessons resonate more.

By incorporating these tips, educators can make the use of kid friendly metaphors in school more effective, enriching the learning experience for students.

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