A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.
Here are the basics:
- A metaphor states that one thing is another thing
- It equates those two things not because they actually are the same, but for the sake of comparison or symbolism
- If you take a metaphor literally, it will probably sound very strange (are there actually any sheep, black or otherwise, in your family?)
- Metaphors are used in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some color to their language
If you’re a black sheep, you get cold feet, or you think love is a highway, then you’re probably thinking metaphorically. These are metaphors because a word or phrase is applied to something figuratively: unless you’re actually a sheep or are dipping your toes in ice water, chances are these are metaphors that help represent abstract concepts through colorful language.
What is a metaphor?
- A word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar
- An object, activity, or idea that is used as a symbol of something else
Metaphors are a form of figurative language, which refers to words or expressions that mean something different from their literal definition. In the case of metaphors, the literal interpretation would often be pretty silly. For example, imagine what these metaphors would look like if you took them at face value:
Love is a battlefield.
Silas is a couch potato.
If you don’t take them at face value, the result is a much more powerful description of people or events than you’d get with phrases like “love is difficult” or “Silas sits around a lot.”
Metaphor examples
Some examples of metaphors include:
- Work today was a nightmare!
- You are my shining star.
- Their bedroom is a pigsty!
- That athlete is a machine.
Metaphors show up in literature, poetry, music, and writing, but also in speech. If you hear someone say “metaphorically speaking,” it probably means that you shouldn’t take what they said as the truth, but as more of an idea. For example, it’s finals period and after exams, students are saying things like “That test was murder.” It’s a fair guess they’re still alive if they’re making comments about the test, so this is an example of speaking metaphorically or figuratively.
Metaphors can make your words come to life, and often, you can use a metaphor to make your subject more relatable to the reader or to make a complex thought easier to understand. They can also be a tremendous help when you want to enhance your writing with imagery. As a common figure of speech, metaphors turn up everywhere from novels and films to presidential speeches and even popular songs. When they’re especially good, they’re hard to miss.
Take these famous metaphor examples:
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances.
Metaphor vs. simile
A metaphor makes a comparison by stating that one thing is something else, but a simile states that one thing is like something else.
If you’re trying to tell the difference between metaphors and similes, the more obvious comparison in similes makes them easier to identify as figures of speech.
While someone might actually think that Elvis Presley has a hound dog who happens to be particularly noisy, imagine if his lyric went “You’re like a hound dog,” or “You’re as whiny as a hound dog.” In these cases, Elvis would be using a simile, which makes it a bit clearer that he’s not actually singing to a sad puppy. But on the flip side, the rhythm wouldn’t be quite as catchy.
Read up on similes, and check out these examples to get a taste for how they work:
He’s as cute as a button.
You’re as busy as a bee.
It’s like taking candy from a baby.
She’s as cool as a cucumber.
4 types of metaphors
Let’s rewind to the definition of a metaphor as a figure of speech. Another example is that catchy tune, “You are my sunshine.” Although you aren’t literally a ray of light, you probably have a similarly uplifting effect on the speaker.
But the definition of metaphor is actually broader than that. Often, metaphor is used loosely to mean any kind of symbolism. In literature, there are are many other types of metaphors, too: implied, sustained, dead, and others.
1 Implied metaphor
Take these two sentences:
In a room full of ladies, Jordan simply fans his feathers.
In both sentences, we are comparing Jordan to a peacock. In the first sentence, the comparison is overt: the peacock is mentioned directly. But in the second sentence, we imply that Jordan is the peacock by comparing his behavior (fanning his feathers) to something peacocks are known for doing. That isn’t meant to suggest that Jordan actually has feathers, but that he is behaving in a showy and flirty way to catch the attention of the ladies.
2 Sustained metaphor
This kind of metaphor is often found in songs and poetry. In a famous example from Shakespeare, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun over several lines.
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.
Kind of puts “You are my sunshine” to shame.
3 Dead metaphor
With a good, living metaphor, you get that fun moment of thinking about what it would look like if Elvis were actually singing to a hound dog (for example). But with a dead metaphor, the original image has already receded into the background. Using too many dead metaphors will cause your reader to lose interest. Reach a little further for an original image, or think about ways to use a familiar metaphor in an unconventional way.
4 Mixed metaphors
Another reason to avoid dead metaphors is that it’s easy to mix them up.
Mixed metaphors can be pretty funny; the great Yogi Berra was famous for his “Yogi-isms,” which often contained bewilderingly mixed metaphors that still managed to get his point across:
But if you’re not trying to be funny, mixed metaphors can come off as awkward or even undermine the point you’re trying to make.
How to come up with a metaphor
You don’t need anything but your imagination to come up with a good metaphor, but some added flair can go a long way. Remember, metaphors often represent something that is hard to take literally. Think of the metaphor “rule with an iron fist” as an example. Outside of the world of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, it would be a bit difficult to find a person with an actual hand made of iron. However, we are still able to interpret that metaphor as meaning someone who is hard and heavy-handed on governance.
Here is a simple example:
You wouldn’t typically refer to your house as a circus, but this sentence implies that things are wild, full of excitement, and maybe a bit chaotic with Mom out of the house.
The next time you think your writing could use some energy, try giving it a jolt with a well-crafted metaphor. It’s sure to be a lightning bolt for your writing.
Metaphor FAQs
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes something by saying it’s something else. It is not meant to be taken literally.
What is an example of a metaphor?
“All religions, arts, and sciences are branches of the same tree.” —Albert Einstein
How do you write a metaphor?
Metaphors work best when they connect abstract concepts to something common that readers already understand well. For example, in the Einstein quote above, abstract disciplines are described as a tangible object in nature to show how they relate to one another.
What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile?
Metaphors and similes both compare two different things, but similes use the words “like” or as,” while metaphors do not.
