Metaphors

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.

Metaphors show up in literature, poetry, music, and writing, 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.

Here are the basics:

• A metaphor states that one thing actually means 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.

Here are some examples:

Love is a battlefield.

You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, cryin’ all the time.

Chaos is a friend of mine.

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances.

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 (or in the case of the exam, to death). 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.

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