Metaphors

So, what is a metaphor? A metaphor is like a simile. That's because it is a comparison that is made between things, which is not always likely or obvious.

However, the explicit use of the word 'like' or 'as' which you see in a simile, is not used in a metaphor which is rather a comparison of two unlike things using the verb "to be".

Hence, a metaphor sounds more forceful and suggestive, but is still very common in speech. Common metaphors include "the neck of the woods" or "the foot of the mountain". These can be seen to be similar to similes - they suggest a comparison but do not make it explicitly.

We often use metaphors without realising it. For instance, when we say that your parents 'bark a command' at you, you are comparing them to a dog, and hence engaging in metaphor! Below is a collection of metaphors and idioms, sent in by you, our wonderful readers!

Other Metaphors A heart of stone (from Rebecca) He has the heart of a lion You are the sun in my sky You are the light in my life She is my East and my West, my compass. You had better pull your socks up Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a cloudy day. Love is a lemon - either bitter of sweet (from Scott) Drowning in the sea Jumping for joy Rolling in dough Apple of my eye It is raining cats and dogs Love is a fragile flower opening to the warmth of Spring Information travels faster in this modern age as our days start crawling away. Life has a tendency to come back and bite you in the ass. A riverboat shall be my horse. A light in a sea of darkness. Strength and dignity are her clothing. A laugh in a sea of sadness. The noise is music to my ears He swam in the sea of diamonds His belt was a snake curling around his waist Love is a camara, full of memories. She ran like the Wind 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 hearts been broken it grows back bigger. His hair is a white snowflake and his hair is a messy haystack You are the expression of my heart. You care for me and love me all the time. I'm Heartbroken The pidgeons fountained into the air His hair was bone white He tried to help but his legs were rubber It's raining men Kicked the bucket The sea is a hungry dog. She is a dog when she eats He has a voice of a wolf. Crocodiles' teeth are white daggers. Apple of my heart A roundabout is a turtle shell. Fire is day, when it goes out it's night School is a gateway to adulthood He slithered into town quietly so no one would notice when he dug his fangs in and slowly poisoned their minds. Leaping with laughter - From Trinita The silence was a blood-cudling scream of anguish, set out to break my soul - from Kiwi

Got any more examples of metaphors? Send us your metaphors!