What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a comparison that says one thing is another thing. It does not use the words like or as.
- My little brother is a tornado.
- The classroom was a zoo.
- Grandpa’s heart is gold.
Of course, your brother is not really a tornado. The metaphor means he is wild, fast and leaves a mess wherever he goes! That is why metaphors are part of figurative language: they mean more than their literal (exact) words.
Why writers use metaphors
Metaphors help readers:
- See ideas in a new way. Time is a thief makes us feel how time steals moments from us.
- Picture things clearly. The moon was a silver coin gives a bright, round image.
- Feel emotions. Her words were knives shows how hurtful the words were.
- Say a lot in a few words. One metaphor can replace a whole sentence of description.
Metaphor or simile?
Metaphors and similes are close cousins. Both compare two things that are different.
| Simile | Metaphor |
|---|---|
| uses like or as | says one thing is another |
| He is as brave as a lion. | He is a lion in battle. |
| The snow was like a blanket. | The snow was a blanket. |
A simile says things are alike. A metaphor says one thing is the other, which often makes it feel stronger.
How to understand a metaphor
Use these steps:
- Find the two things being compared. The stars were diamonds. → stars and diamonds.
- Ask what they have in common. Diamonds are bright, sparkly and precious.
- Decide what the writer means. The stars were sparkling and beautiful.
- Think about the feeling. The metaphor makes the night sky feel special and magical.
More examples to explore
| Metaphor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Life is a rollercoaster. | Life has ups and downs. |
| The teacher’s voice was music to my ears. | Hearing it was pleasant and welcome. |
| My bedroom is a pigsty. | It is very messy. |
| She is a night owl. | She likes to stay up late. |
| The world is a stage. | People are always acting or performing roles. |
| His smile was sunshine. | His smile was warm and cheerful. |
Different kinds of metaphors
Direct metaphors
These use is, are, was or were: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.
Implied metaphors
An implied metaphor hints at the comparison without saying is.
- The wind howled all night. (The wind is compared to a wolf or dog.)
- She barked orders at the team. (She is compared to a dog.)
- The car coughed and wheezed up the hill. (The car is compared to a sick person.)
Extended metaphors
An extended metaphor keeps the comparison going for several sentences or a whole poem.
My backpack is a mule. It carries my heavy books up the hill each morning, never complaining. By Friday, my poor mule is worn out and dragging.
Metaphors in everyday speech
We use metaphors all the time without noticing:
- I’m drowning in homework.
- He has a heart of stone.
- She’s the apple of my eye.
- That test was a breeze.
Some of these are so common they have become clichés. A cliché is a phrase used so often that it no longer feels fresh. When you write, try to invent your own metaphors.
How to write your own metaphor
- Choose your subject. My cat.
- List its qualities. Soft, lazy, sleeps all day, curls up in a ball.
- Think of something else with those qualities. A fluffy pillow, a warm loaf of bread.
- Write the metaphor. My cat is a warm loaf of bread on the windowsill.
- Check it. Does it help the reader picture your subject? Is it fresh?
Common mistakes
- Mixing up similes and metaphors. Look for like or as.
- Taking metaphors literally. Think about the shared quality.
- Mixed metaphors. Combining two metaphors that do not fit together: We need to grab the bull by the horns and get the ball rolling. Choose one image.
- Using only clichés. Fresh metaphors are more powerful.
Try it yourself
- Is this a simile or a metaphor? The baby’s cheeks were roses.
- What does this metaphor mean? The test was a mountain.
- Find the implied metaphor: The thunder grumbled in the distance.
- Write a metaphor about rain.
- Change this simile into a metaphor: The lake was like a mirror.
Answers: 1. Metaphor. 2. The test was very hard, like climbing a mountain. 3. Grumbled: thunder is compared to a grumpy person. 4. Example: The rain was a drummer on our tin roof. 5. The lake was a mirror.
Study tip
When you read a poem or story, highlight every comparison you find. Write “S” above similes and “M” above metaphors. Then choose your favourite and explain what it means in your own words.
Quick recap
- A metaphor says one thing is another, without like or as.
- Metaphors help readers see, feel and understand in new ways.
- Find the two things compared and what they have in common.
- Implied metaphors use verbs or descriptions; extended metaphors keep going.
- Write fresh metaphors instead of clichés.