Do you know you can advance your ideas by using metaphor figure of speech? Yes, because using metaphors can help you to express complex ideas and make them more engaging. However, many people think that understanding metaphors can be tricky for them. It is due to their figurative nature, as the reader can easily misinterpret it.
Therefore, this blog contains vital information on metaphor definition and examples to enhance the basic knowledge of metaphors. Moreover, it includes a worksheet that will allow you to assess your knowledge of metaphors. Read on and enhance your understanding of the metaphorical figure of speech.
Table of Contents
The metaphor simple definition refers to a figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison between two unrelated objectives, by indicating one thing is similar to the another object is known as metaphor. They have two separate parts, that is, the tenor and the vehicle. Let’s see an example to understand this with clarity.
That artist is an illusionist.
In this sentence, the artist is compared with an illusionist. Hence, the artist is the tenor here, and an illusionist is a vehicle. The thing that has been described is known as a tenor, and the idea used to define the tenor is a vehicle.
Similarly, a metaphor figure of speech used to exaggerate any characteristic, create images, and express a complicated idea. They are typically utilised in advertising, everyday speech, and literature. However, you need to use different metaphors in different types of writing. Therefore, read the types and metaphor examples below.
Now, before moving to the examples, you should know about different forms of metaphor; this will help you understand the examples of metaphors in a better way. Moreover, it will develop your knowledge about using different types of metaphors according to the sentence structure and requirements.
Below are different forms of metaphor figure of speech:
The direct metaphor aims to compare two dissimilar things by openly affirming that one object is another. This metaphor usually uses the verb form to connect two unrelated things. For instance:
She has a heart of gold.
In this sentence, the word gold is used to describe the heart of the girl, but in reality, gold is used to define something valuable and pure.
An implied metaphor suggests a comparison of two unlike objects but does not explicitly state it. It works by using figurative language and indicates the comparison indirectly. Below is an example of an implied metaphor figure of speech.
Her anger boiled over.
It suggests that her anger is like boiling water or liquid that can overflow. However, the comparison was indirect.
It is a figure of speech that is also defined as a sustained or conceited metaphor and helps to show comparison between two different things. However, the comparison developed over paragraphs or a few lines. Extended metaphors are typically used in advertising, literature and poems.
Emily Dickinson defines “Hope is the thing with feathers.”
In this statement, the writer defines hope as a bird to show how hope is sustained in different situations.
A mixed metaphor is often used to create a nonsensical or confusing statement by combining two or more metaphor figure of speech. They are usually accidental and supposed to be unintentionally funny. For instance:
He’s a rising star and will spread his wings with the correct supervision.
This sentence is a mixed metaphor because it contains two distinct images: a rising star and a bird with spreading wings.
It is the most familiar figure of speech, which is used so repetitively that people don’t even recognise it as a metaphor. Instead, people use this within sentences to convey direct meaning. Let’s understand this with the example given below:
Time is running out.
This phrase shows that an opportunity or deadline is approaching soon. It is easy to understand because it contains a clear message.
In absolute metaphor, two objects are compared without having any connection with one another. Also, the things compared by absolute metaphor figure of speech are so different that it becomes difficult to detect logical relationships between them. For example:
The wind was a howling wolf.
This figure of speech metaphor directly equates the wind with a howling wolf by forming a vivid picture without using “as” or “like”.
Conventional metaphors are used so frequently in everyday language that they are easy to understand. It helps to convey the common comparisons that show how people understand definite concepts. For example:
Time is Money.
This sentence shows the importance of time by comparing it with the term money. Moreover, this sentence can greatly impact the reader and make them realise the importance of using time effectively.
Using the figure of speech metaphor correctly in the sentences is vital to enhance your communication. Hence, below is a step-wise structure that can help you frame correct sentences, including metaphors, to make them interesting.
Below are some metaphor figure of speech examples that will help you understand how using metaphors can help you form sentences to show comparison between two distinct objects.
1. The world is a stage
This sentence compares the world to a theatrical stage, indicating that people play various roles and are the main actors in their lives.
2. He is a walking dictionary
This sentence compares his knowledge and ways of looking at things with a dictionary. Thus, it is a common metaphor used by people.
3. She wears her heart on her sleeve
It indicates someone who shows their feelings and emotions openly by comparing it with a warm heart on their sleeve, which is easily visible.
4. Australia is a melting pot
Comparing Australia's vast and diverse residents to a melting pot, in which various elements blend.
5. The schoolroom was a zoo
This statement compares the chaotic and noisy classroom with a zoo because it has various animals.
6. The boy is a couch potato
You can use the couch potato to show someone who is very lazy and spends their time on the couch like a potato.
7. The moon was a ghostly galleon
The poem by Alfred Noyes uses metaphor to create an imaginative picture. The writer describes the moon as a galleon.
8. My mind is an ocean.
It is a figurative language in which the mind is defined as the ocean to indicate deep knowledge, fluctuating emotions, and thoughts.
9. Life is a highway.
This metaphor compares life to a highway and shows that life contains different stages, destinations, and challenges. Many writers use it in literary writing.
10. Time is a thief.
This sentence conveys that time can steal away moments and opportunities by comparing time to a thief.
Now that you have read a few metaphor examples and got a basic understanding of them, let's take a look at structuring sentences by placing the metaphors correctly in the sentences. Read on to find out how you can use the metaphors.
Firstly, you should identify the subject or qualities of the object. You can use adjectives to show quality and make the comparison more engaging. Moreover, think about the key features and characteristics of the object that you want to compare. Besides this, you can add an emotional impact within sentences by using an interjection such as “Oh, or Wow”.
Secondly, once you know about the qualities, consider other things that contain similar qualities or evoke the same idea as the subject you want to compare. Then, think about the nature or tone that you desire to create while comparing the objects. Moreover, if you want to construct an extended metaphor, use a conjunction to mix them. However, this part requires brainstorming skills to make the comparison attractive or humorous.
It is the last step, where you are required to create the final sentence that connects the subject with your brainstormed comparisons. For example, “The child’s hands are like a new leaf.” This shows that the child has soft hands, just like a new leaf.
These are the basic steps to use a metaphor figure of speech within sentences. Besides this, you should strive for original and unique metaphors to make your sentence engaging and impactful.
By now, you should have grasped all the basic knowledge of using metaphors and how they can be placed within sentences. Thus, to determine your understanding, let’s answer a worksheet with metaphors.
Read the questions below and underline each sentence's metaphorical figure of speech.
Questions
1. Time is a thief that steals moments.
2. His voice was music to her ears.
3. The school was a zoo during lunch break.
4. Her arguments were a double-edged weapon.
5. Life is a journey full of winding roads.
6. The thunder was a lion roaring in the sky.
7. She has a heart of gold.
8. Her mind was a cyclone of thoughts.
9. She was the sunlight that brightened his day.
10. The town was a forest of chaos and noise.
Answers
1. Time is a thief that steals moments.
2. His voice was music to her ears.
3. The school was a zoo during lunch break.
4. Her arguments were a double-edged weapon.
5. Life is a journey full of winding roads.
6. The thunder was a lion roaring in the sky.
7. She has a heart of gold.
8. Her mind was a cyclone of thoughts.
9. She was the sunlight that brightened his day.
10. The town was a forest of chaos and noise.
In a nutshell, a metaphor figure of speech that can help you convey your message by relating it to similar experiences. Also, using metaphors helps to make a boring topic more interesting and engaging. However, making correct sentences with metaphors can be a difficult task for many people. Hence, this blog included all the necessary information, such as a metaphor definition and examples with usage.
However, if you are still having trouble using them correctly, connect with our study experts at Gradding.com. They will provide you with extensive resources, strategies, and tailored tips to enhance your knowledge about metaphors.
1. What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a part of the figure of speech that helps to make a comparison by comparing two distinct things.
2. Are Metaphor and Simile the Same?
No, metaphors and similes are not the same, as they are both used for comparing objects, but they have different ways of comparing things. Similes use “as” or “like” for comparison, while metaphors show that one thing is similar to another thing.
3. Give Some Examples of Metaphors.
4. What is a metaphor in poetry?
In poetry, it is a figure of speech that directly compares two dissimilar objects without using “as” or “like.”
5. How do you identify a metaphor?
Identifying a metaphor is easy; look for the sentences where you can see a comparison of an object with another object. The comparison will usually involve abstract qualities or concepts to make the description more metaphoric.
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