According to the Cambridge dictionnary a "metaphor" is : Definition
an expression which describes a person or object in a literary way by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to the person or object you are trying to describe.
Metaphors help us to express our understanding of the world around us. They add colour, vivid imagery and perhaps emotion to a sentence.
Here are sompe exemples :
My friend gave me the green light to head to his home.
Don't go on that side of the city, it's a grey area.
My family gave me a hand to move out
My father saw red when i told him i was going out with my friends.
Children often fight like cats and dogs.
Life is a long scary roller coaster.
The sky was dark and angry.
My legs turned to water and I couldn't move.
Most politicians are like sly foxes
She gave me an icy look .
I have always been an early bird, i like to do things in the morning.
Can you find more of them ???
Comments
Hmm.. What about raining cats and dogs? Is that also a metaphor?
When I heard it for the first time, I didn't ask directly what is the meaning. Instead I asked with a joke as if it was really raining cats and dogs "So, I bet there are a lot of broken roof then since it rained cats and dogs". I was hoping he realised the joke and gave me an explanation about the meaning. Sadly, that guy didn't realise my joke hehe...
Hello Jean Badero,
Is : "the light of experience at my feet" one metaphor ? I never heard that one !
Thanks for your comment, and welcome in English club :))
Hello Martin,
It's interesting as i guess we all have in our own language many of the same metaphors. So in a way, it means we think the same ...
Do you in slovakia have a specific metaphor to express :
"Time is money" or "politician are like sly foxes" ? I bet you do !
Thanks for checking and commenting my post.
Hello Grace, thanks for stoping by and giving me your comment. I have noticed that some of the metaphors you wrote in your answer do also exist in french. They are probably international !
Walls have ears = les murs ont des oreilles .
Time is money = Le temps c'est de l'argent !
I have but the light of experience at my feet...
students sometimes don´t get methaporical expressions
Hi Manuela,
I like the topic and learned many metaphor from school. It is an important component of language creativity. Without it, our ability to communicate efficiently and effectively would be weakened. Here are some examples below.
-Time is money.
-He was driven up the wall by their silly words.
-Sara's new car is a lemon. (it's referring to a new purchased car that breaks down and needs to be repaired constantly.)
-Walls have ears. (Cervantes)