Metaphors

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.

Examples of Metaphors Using Words and Phrases

1.The inside of the car was a refrigerator

2.
3.• A refrigerator is very cold.
4. 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.
5.The teenage boy's stomach was a bottomless pit.

6.• 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).
7.

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.
1.The teacher got to the bottom of the problem. (This implies
that the teacher got to the source of the problem.)
2.My dad was boiling mad. (This implies that my dad was
very, very angry.)
3.His idea was difficult to swallow. (This implies that his
idea was hard to accept.)
4.The homework was a breeze. (This implies that the
homework was very easy to do.)
5.They showered the birthday girl with gifts. (This implies
that they gave the girl many gifts.)
6.My memory of the event is foggy. (This implies that my
memory of what happened was unclear.)
7.Her dog, Jake, was the sunshine of her life. (This implies
that Jake was the brightest or best part of her life.)
8.Mary stole the spotlight with her performance. (This
implies that Mary's performance made her the center of
attention.)
9.If I were you, I would steer clear of that topic. (This implies
that you should stay away from that topic.)
10.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.)
11.Alice was thrilled when her idea began to bear fruit. (This
implies that Alice's idea produced results.)
12.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.)
13.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.)
14.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.)
15.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

1.
2.Identify the object or idea that is the subject of what you are
writing or saying. For example, suppose you are trying to
describe a sunset.
3.Identify what it is you want to communicate about that
object or idea. You want to bring out how beautiful the sunset
is.
4.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.
5.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.

Adapted from:
http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/language-
arts/7/metaphors/