A metaphor is one of the important figures of speech in the English language. It is used for comparing two things indirectly. Unlike a simile, the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ are not used, in fact no direct words are used for comparison. One might then wonder how to recognize a metaphor. Usually, the comparison is made between an inanimate and animate object, through which we can understand that the inanimate object is compared to an animate object.
~A laugh in the sea of sadness
~The noise is music to his ears
~He swam in the sea of diamonds
~His belt was a snake curling around his waist
~Love is a growing garland
~Your friendship is the picture to my frame
~Authority is a chair, it needs legs to stand up
~Once your heart’s been broken it grows back bigger
~His hair is a white snowflake and his hair is a messy haystack
~He is all heartbroken
~The pigeons fountained into the air
~Her hair was bone white
~He tried to help but his legs were wax
~Words are false Idols
~Ideas are wings
~Kicked the bucket
~The sea is a hungry lion
~She is a dog when she is hungry
~A heart of gold
~A light in a sea of darkness
~Strength and dignity is what she is made of
~Heart of a lion
~Light of their life
~Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a cloudy day
~Jumping for joy
~Rolling in dough
~Information travels faster in this modern age as our days start crawling away
~Reality is an enemy
~Truth is food for him
~Fear is a beast that feeds on attention
~Spiritual seeking is treasure hunting
~Ideas are water
~Thoughts are a storm, unexpected
~Apple of the eye
Extended Metaphor
An extended metaphor is a type of metaphor which is also known as a ‘conceit’, it is nothing but a metaphor which does not end in the first sentence, and is continued in the next sentence too. The following are some examples of extended metaphors, which also include an extended metaphor poem.
The winds were ocean waves, thrashing against the trees limbs. The gales remained thereafter, only ceasing when the sun went down. Their waves clashed brilliantly with the water beneath, bringing foam and dying leaves to the shore.
The teacher descended upon the exams, sank his talons into their pages, ripped the answers to shreds, and then, perching in his chair, began to digest.
Mother to Son
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floors
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So, boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall nowâ”
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
by – Langston Hughes.
Love Metaphors
~Love is a nutrient
~Love is a journey
~Love is a unity of parts
~Love is a bond
~Love is fire
~Love is an economic exchange
~Love is a natural force
~Love is a physical force
~Love is a camera, full of memories
~Love is an opponent
~Love is a captive animal
~Love is war
~Love is a social superior
~Love is rapture/a high
~Love is a thrill ride
~Love is a fine wine
~Love is a garden
~Love is a battlefield
~Love is the air
~Love is an experiment
~Love is like an adventure
~Love is a fragile flower opening to the warmth of spring
If you are trying to understand metaphors, you should start with a list of elementary metaphors and who knows, you might end up making your own metaphor list one day!