Metaphor in English: meaning, classification, usage, and exercises with answers

6 English Metaphors

Usage

Example

Standard metaphor

It is used to directly compare A and B (A and B share similarities in characteristics or qualities).

Maria is my sunshine. 

⏩ Maria is directly referred to as sunshine. Of course, Maria cannot be sunlight, so the reader needs to understand that Maria is as important to the writer as sunlight.

Implied metaphor

It is used to imply the connection between A and B without expressing it directly.

The commander barked an order to the troops to stand alert. ⏩ With this implied metaphor, the commander's order is compared to "a fierce bark," indicating that the order is mandatory and must be followed.

Visual metaphor

It is used to compare something to a visual image to evoke associations. This type of metaphor is common in advertising when a product is depicted using a visually illustrative object.

Hope is the thing with feathers. ⏩ With this metaphor, the speaker wants to use the image of feathers to evoke associations with fragile hope.

Extended metaphor

It uses figurative language to increase the diversity of comparisons. This type of metaphor is used throughout a poem, a song, a passage of prose, or a blog post.

Grad school is a marathon. Good friends are the water breaks. ⏩ With this metaphor, the writer wants to compare "grad school - a marathon" and "good friends - important water breaks," with the meaning: "In the competitive environment of grad school, good friends are the ones who provide us with additional strength and help us keep going".

Mixed metaphor

It combines two incompatible metaphors to create an illogical or absurd comparison. In mixed metaphors, there is no connection between the compared images. Mixed metaphors often serve as empty, meaningless rhetoric to create humorous or sarcastic effects.

Make like a tree and get out of here. ⏩ This is a sarcastic remark because trees do not move, yet the speaker wants others to leave or exit a certain position.

Dead metaphor

This type of metaphor has lost its original meaning over time due to excessive usage. They have lost their original meaning due to widespread, repetitive, and common usage.

"Foot of the table" no longer retains its original metaphorical meaning of a human's or animal's foot but is used as an extension of the word "foot" to refer to other objects like table legs, bed legs, cabinet legs, etc.

Metaphor

Metonymy

Usage

Function

The primary function of metaphor is expressive.

The primary function of metonymy is cognitive.

Example

John is my shining star. ➞ John is directly compared to a shining star, suggesting that he illuminates and guides the speaker.

The White House issued a statement today. ➞ "The White House" is a metonymic image representing the United States government or the President of the United States and related agencies.

Metaphor

Metonymy

1. The world's a stage, and we are all actors playing our roles.

2. Time is a thief, stealing moments from our lives.

3. Jack’s words were a dagger in her heart.

4. Maria is as busy as a bee, always buzzing from one task to another.

5. The room was as cold as ice when he entered.

6. Robert’s smile was like sunshine on a gloomy day.

7. Life is a journey with its ups and downs.

8. The suspense hung in the air like a heavy fog.

9. The classroom was a zoo after the teacher left.

10. Their friendship was as fragile as glass, easily shattered by the slightest conflict.

Metaphor

Metonymy

1. The world's a stage, and we are all actors playing our roles.

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2. Time is a thief, stealing moments from our lives.

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3. Jack’s words were a dagger in her heart.

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4. Maria is as busy as a bee, always buzzing from one task to another.

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5. The room was as cold as ice when he entered.

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6. Robert’s smile was like sunshine on a gloomy day.

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7. Life is a journey with its ups and downs.

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8. The suspense hung in the air like a heavy fog.

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9. The classroom was a zoo after the teacher left.

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10. Their friendship was as fragile as glass, easily shattered by the slightest conflict.

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