“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts…”

Jaques, As You Like It

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor, as described by Merriam-Webster, is “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)”.

Importantly, when one uses a metaphor, one states that something ‘is’ something, such as in the Shakespeare quote above: ‘All the world’s a stage…”

Here are some more examples of famous metaphors:

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

Romeo, Romeo & Juliet

“You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog

Cryin’ all the time.”

Elvis Presley, Hound Dog

“’Cause baby you’re a firework

Come on show ‘em what you’re worth

Make ‘em go ‘Oh, oh, oh!’

As you shoot across the sky.”

Katy Perry, Firework

This eclectic mix of metaphors all show examples of communicating an idea but substituting one thing for another.

Similes

Similes are a particular variety of metaphor that make a comparison between two things, rather than substituting one thing for another, as you would do with a classic metaphor.

Similes are easily identifiable as they commonly use the words ‘as’ or ‘like’ to make their point. Here are some classic examples of similes, some of which are simply common spoken idioms, and some of which are taken from popular culture.

“I’m as hungry as a horse.”

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get!”

Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump

“She is as cold as ice.”

“The very mystery of him excited her curiosity like a door that had neither lock nor key.”

Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind

Extended metaphors

Extended metaphors, as the name would suggest, simply take the idea of a metaphor and run with it for considerably longer than a solitary sentence. 

One definition says the term “extended metaphor” refers to a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph, or lines in a poem.

In an earlier example of a meteor, Katy Perry sang “Baby you’re a firework”, but the lyrics to that entire song act as an extended metaphor, referring to our own individual ability to shine in life, much like a firework:

“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.”

Katy Perry, Firework

Using metaphors

Much like any literary device, metaphors are best used sparingly, as an overuse of metaphor can quickly become tiresome for a reader or listener.

It is also important that in making a metaphor, you choose something that works as a substitution for what you are truly referring to; if the metaphor is tenuous, then people will be unable to relate to that idea. Your words will be lost.

Don’t mix metaphors, because this is a quick way to make yourself seem a little ridiculous. Make sure that the metaphor that you use is established (and translates if necessary), and then use it alone so you do not throw another metaphor into the mix too quickly, and risk mixing.

Another important concept is to make sure that the verb you use with the metaphor matches the subject which you have substituted or compared. For example:

“Her eyes were ice cold, and froze every part of me when I looked at her”.

If ice is the metaphor we are using, then the verb ‘freeze’ would make perfect sense. However:

“Her eyes were ice cold, and burnt deep into my soul.”

‘Ice’ and ‘burnt’ makes little sense.

Consider readability

Metaphors are great when they suit the audience, and they can make a legitimate point. Getting a readability score for your writing, based on the well-respected Flesch system, helps in understanding if the metaphors you have selected amply deliver the message you are trying to deliver. The Linguix writing assistant provides a readability score which can help you understand if the words you have selected are truly compatible with the readership you are reaching out to. 

The post What are metaphors, and how do you use them? appeared first on Linguix Blog.

Metaphors are a wonderful part of language, both enabling better understanding of meaning and providing a poetical edge to the language that may otherwise not exist. Let’s start with a few examples:

1. My brother is an animal on the sports field.
2. The pressure of holding down a demanding job while raising a family weighed heavily on his shoulders.
3. When he looked into her eyes he realized his ship had sailed. The love that had once existed between them was gone, and now all the existed were the rocky waters of friendship between two people who had once been much more.
4. We are like ships in the night, living in the same house but never seeing each other

These four examples seek to highlight the main types of metaphors which exist, although there are others which will be examined later. Let us first consider these most important examples.

1.Direct metaphors

The first metaphor is the easiest to use, particularly for new language speakers, and can be described as a direct metaphor. In this case, my brother is being described as an animal, which of course he literally cannot be. However, if the qualities of an animal are considered, in this case wild and perhaps aggressive, then my brother’s behavior on the sports field can be understood.

A direct metaphor is more often than not a comparison which is obvious in context.

Although there are numerous common direct metaphors, almost anything can be used as an example as long as the link can be directly made and understood easily. If not, then it is an example of an unsuccessful direct metaphor, or could perhaps be categorized in the second group as follows.

More examples:

He is a fish out of water in his new job.

My sister is a bit of a coach potato.

Tina is a whirlwind of ideas.

2. Implied metaphors

In this case, the metaphor is not a direct comparative, but is implied. Once again, the statement cannot be taken literally, as no weight is actually being applied, but it is a small jump to understand that we carry pressure around with us as we would a heavy bag, which restricts us is some way. The implication of the situation is clear by the language and context that we use, although no direct comparison is being made.

Implied metaphors are abundant in literature and song, and add a poetic quality to language. That said, they are also a powerful communication tool that assists with feelings of empathy and understanding, and are a favorite of the media in headlines, used to make the story more powerful.

More examples:

It wasn’t long before she became infected by the greed of those she worked with. (Comparing greed to a type of disease)

The flowers danced in the wind. (Comparing the movement of the flowers to dancers)

The banana injected instant energy into his body, and his performance improved immediately. (Comparing the banana to a drug)

3. Extended metaphors

Another favorite in literature, extended metaphors are exactly as they sound – lengthened versions of a metaphor that has already been established. In the example above, that metaphor is the sea and boats that sail upon it – in this case representing the relationship between the two protagonists.

Extended metaphors can be wonderfully descriptive, but be careful not to overdo it and descend into cliché.

4. Similes

Similes are incredibly similar to direct metaphors, but can be categorized as always containing the words like or as.

More examples:

Jane sleeps like a baby.

The metal gate felt as cold as ice.

John is like a bull in a china shop.

Other types of metaphors

There are other types of metaphors – in fact language experts often disagree as to how many, but the four main types have already been mentioned and serve to produce effective usage.

However, here are some examples of less-used and, in some cases, incorrect metaphors:

Dead metaphors

Quite literally, dead metaphors are language comparisons that, for one reason or another, simply do not make any logical sense any more, or lack any sort of impact in their visual imagery. Sometimes it may be that a metaphor has become so overused that it does not have the impact that it once had, and slips into the murky waters of cliché (another metaphor right there!).

Examples:

It’s raining cats and dogs. (It is very difficult to visualize or even understand the original meaning of this overused metaphor)

Time is running out. (This metaphor is logically linked to the hourglass, a device which is hardly ever seen or thought about in modern life)

Mixed metaphors

A mixed metaphor is very often the result of confusion on behalf of the speaker. Simply speaking, it is when an attempt at one metaphor becomes a horrible, unintelligible mix of two, resulting only in laughter. Down the years, there have been many famous and comedic examples, of which here are two:

“They’ve put all their eggs in one basket and it’s misfired.” (Chickens and guns are not usually associated)

“Federal Judge Susan Webber Wright stepped up to the plate and called a foul.” (A complete mix of sports and roles)

Conclusion

It would be a mistake for any speaker – native, new or experienced – to be reluctant to use metaphors as they are such a colorful, poetic element of any language. As can be seen, although there is an extensive list of existing metaphors, new ones can be made at any times, as long as they can be easily understood and related to. And as also can be seen, even when they go wrong, they add an extra element of fun.

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