90 Metaphor Examples With Meaning and Explanations

Metaphors enrich our language, helping us describe and understand the world. In literature, metaphors like “All the world’s a stage” show life’s roles. In poetry, they create vivid images, like “Hope is the thing with feathers.”

Songs use metaphors to evoke emotions, such as “Love is a battlefield.” Metaphors in everyday language, like “Time flies,” make abstract ideas concrete. We find them in famous works, like “Life is like a box of chocolates,” and in rare expressions, like “His mind is a labyrinth.”

They can be simple, like “She’s a shining star,” or complex, like “Mental health is a fragile ecosystem.” Visual metaphors, such as a lightbulb for an idea, and verbal metaphors in speech enhance communication. I share 90 metaphors examples across various contexts.

What is a Metaphor?

According to literary scholars, a metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike entities, suggesting a likeness or analogy between them without using “like” or “as.” This definition is supported by numerous studies. For instance, a study by Harvard University (2020) states that metaphors are crucial in shaping the way we think and communicate, influencing our perceptions and understanding.

A metaphor transfers meaning from one context to another. It is used to make abstract ideas more concrete and relatable. For example, in everyday speech, we might say “time is a thief” to illustrate how time can stealthily take away our moments.

What are Examples of Metaphor in Literature?

Metaphors in literature enrich the text by providing deeper layers of meaning. Here are 5 notable examples:

1. “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare, As You Like It
   • Shakespeare compares the world to a stage and people to actors, emphasizing the transient roles we play in life.
2. “Hope is the thing with feathers.” – Emily Dickinson
   • Dickinson personifies hope as a bird, highlighting its lightness and enduring presence.
3. “I am the good shepherd.” – The Bible, John 10:11
   • This biblical metaphor illustrates Jesus’ protective and guiding role.
4. “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” – William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
   • Romeo elevates Juliet’s importance by comparing her to the sun, the source of light and life.
5. “Books are the mirrors of the soul.” – Virginia Woolf
   • Woolf emphasizes the reflective and revealing nature of literature.

What are Examples of Metaphor in Poetry?

Metaphors in poetry enhance the emotional resonance and imagery. Here are 5 prominent examples:

1. “I wandered lonely as a cloud.” – William Wordsworth
   • Wordsworth compares his solitary wandering to a cloud, evoking a sense of detachment and introspection.
2. “The road not taken.” – Robert Frost
   • Frost uses the metaphor of a road to represent life choices and their consequences.
3. “My love is a red, red rose.” – Robert Burns
   • Burns compares his love to a vibrant rose, symbolizing beauty and passion.
4. “The fog comes on little cat feet.” – Carl Sandburg
   • Sandburg likens the silent approach of fog to a cat’s stealthy movement.
5. “Life’s but a walking shadow.” – William Shakespeare, Macbeth
   • Shakespeare uses this metaphor to convey the fleeting and insubstantial nature of life.

What are Examples of Metaphor in Songs?

Metaphors in songs create vivid imagery and emotional connections. Here are 5 examples:

1. “You are the sunshine of my life.” – Stevie Wonder
   • Wonder compares his loved one to sunshine, symbolizing warmth and happiness.
2. “Like a rolling stone.” – Bob Dylan
   • Dylan uses a rolling stone to represent someone who is constantly moving and changing.
3. “Candle in the wind.” – Elton John
   • John compares a fragile life to a flickering candle, emphasizing vulnerability.
4. “Love is a battlefield.” – Pat Benatar
   • Benatar likens love to a war zone, highlighting the struggles and conflicts in relationships.
5. “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog.” – Elvis Presley
   • Presley uses the metaphor of a hound dog to describe someone untrustworthy and disloyal.

What are Examples of Metaphor in Books?

Books are rich sources of metaphors that enhance the narrative and themes. Here are some examples:

1. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   • “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
     • Fitzgerald uses the metaphor of boats against the current to illustrate the struggle against the passage of time.
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
   • “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
     • Lee uses the metaphor of a mockingbird to symbolize innocence and the wrongness of harming innocent beings.
3. “1984” by George Orwell
   • “Big Brother is watching you.”
     • Orwell’s metaphor of Big Brother represents the pervasive surveillance and control by the state.
4. “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
   • “The white whale.”
     • Melville uses the white whale as a metaphor for the elusive and destructive nature of obsession.
5. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
   • “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
     • Austen’s opening line is a metaphor for societal expectations and pressures.

What are Examples of Metaphor for Students?

Metaphors help middle school students understand complex ideas by relating them to familiar concepts. Here are 5 examples tailored for middle school:

1. “The classroom was a zoo.”
   • This metaphor compares a noisy, chaotic classroom to a zoo, emphasizing the disorder.
2. “Time is a thief.”
   • This metaphor suggests that time stealthily takes away moments, highlighting the fleeting nature of time.
3. “His mind is a computer.”
   • This metaphor compares a student’s mind to a computer, suggesting efficiency and capability in processing information.
4. “She has a heart of gold.”
   • This metaphor indicates that the person is very kind and generous.
5. “The world is a stage.”
   • This metaphor compares the world to a stage, suggesting that everyone has roles to play.

What are Examples of Metaphor for Kids?

Metaphors can make learning fun and engaging for kids. Here are 5 simple examples:

1. “The stars are sparkling diamonds.”
   • This metaphor compares stars to diamonds, emphasizing their brightness and beauty.
2. “Her smile is sunshine.”
   • This metaphor suggests that her smile brings warmth and happiness, like sunshine.
3. “The wind was a howling wolf.”
   • This metaphor compares the sound of the wind to a howling wolf, creating a vivid auditory image.
4. “The snow is a white blanket.”
   • This metaphor compares snow covering the ground to a blanket, emphasizing its softness and coverage.
5. “He has a heart of stone.”
   • This metaphor suggests that the person is very unfeeling or cold-hearted.

What are Examples of Metaphor for KS2?

Metaphors for Key Stage 2 (KS2) students help them grasp abstract concepts through relatable imagery. Here are 5 examples:

1. “The moon is a silver coin in the sky.”
   • This metaphor compares the moon to a silver coin, highlighting its round shape and brightness.
2. “Books are windows to the world.”
   • This metaphor suggests that books allow readers to see and experience new places and ideas.
3. “Her eyes were twinkling stars.”
   • This metaphor compares her eyes to stars, indicating that they are bright and lively.
4. “The garden is a rainbow.”
   • This metaphor compares a colorful garden to a rainbow, emphasizing its variety of colors.
5. “Time is a river.”
   • This metaphor suggests that time flows continuously like a river, never stopping.

What are Examples of Metaphor for KS3?

For Key Stage 3 (KS3) students, metaphors can enhance their understanding and add depth to their learning. Here are 5 examples:

1. “Life is a journey.”
   • This metaphor suggests that life is like a journey, with various paths and experiences.
2. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
   • This metaphor compares the world to a book, emphasizing the importance of exploring and experiencing different cultures.
3. “The mind is a garden.”
   • This metaphor suggests that the mind, like a garden, needs nurturing and care to flourish.
4. “Words are daggers.”
   • This metaphor suggests that words can be as hurtful and damaging as daggers.
5. “The city was a sleeping giant.”
   • This metaphor compares the city to a giant, indicating its potential and power when awakened.

What are Examples of Metaphor in Everyday Language?

Metaphors in everyday language make communication vivid and relatable. Here are 5 common examples:

1. “He has a heart of stone.”
   • This metaphor indicates a person who is emotionally cold or unfeeling.
2. “She is a night owl.”
   • This metaphor describes someone who stays up late and is active at night.
3. “Time flies.”
   • This metaphor suggests that time passes quickly, often unnoticed.
4. “He’s a couch potato.”
   • This metaphor refers to someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.
5. “The test was a breeze.”
   • This metaphor indicates that the test was very easy to complete.

What are Examples of Metaphor for Common?

Famous metaphors are widely recognized and often used in various contexts. Here are 5 examples:

1. “The world is your oyster.”
   • This metaphor means that one has many opportunities available.
2. “He’s an early bird.”
   • This metaphor describes someone who wakes up early and starts the day energetically.
3. “Life is a rollercoaster.”
   • This metaphor suggests that life has its ups and downs, similar to a rollercoaster ride.
4. “Hope is a light in the darkness.”
   • This metaphor compares hope to a guiding light, emphasizing its ability to lead one through difficult times.
5. “The classroom was a pressure cooker.”
   • This metaphor indicates a high-stress environment where emotions can explode.

Metaphors For Body Parts

What are Examples of Metaphor for Uncommon?

Rare, obscure metaphors are less frequently used but offer rich imagery. Here are 5 examples:

1. “His mind is a labyrinth.”
   • This metaphor compares the complexity of someone’s thoughts to a labyrinth, highlighting intricate and confusing paths.
2. “The fog was a ghostly veil.”
   • This metaphor describes fog as a thin, ghost-like covering, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
3. “Death is a silent thief.”
   • This metaphor suggests that death comes quietly and takes life unexpectedly.
4. “Her voice is a velvet glove.”
   • This metaphor compares a soft, soothing voice to the touch of velvet, emphasizing gentleness.
5. “The storm was a beast unleashed.”
   • This metaphor describes a powerful and destructive storm, comparing it to a wild beast.

What are Examples of Metaphor for Difficult?

Complex metaphors convey intricate ideas and require deeper thought. Here are 5 examples:

1. “His arguments were a double-edged sword.”
   • This metaphor suggests that his arguments have both positive and negative consequences.
2. “The project is a marathon, not a sprint.”
   • This metaphor implies that the project requires endurance and long-term effort, rather than quick action.
3. “Mental health is a fragile ecosystem.”
   • This metaphor compares mental health to an ecosystem, indicating its delicate balance and the need for careful nurturing.
4. “Their relationship was a ticking time bomb.”
   • This metaphor suggests that their relationship was tense and likely to explode in conflict.
5. “His mind was an uncharted territory.”
   • This metaphor compares someone’s thoughts to unknown lands, highlighting their complexity and mystery.

What are Examples of Metaphor for Easy?

Easy metaphors simplify ideas and are quickly understood. Here are 5 examples:

1. “She’s a shining star.”
   • This metaphor describes someone who stands out and excels.
2. “He’s a walking encyclopedia.”
   • This metaphor indicates that someone has extensive knowledge on various topics.
3. “Life is a journey.”
   • This metaphor suggests that life is like a trip with different stages and experiences.
4. “His smile was sunshine.”
   • This metaphor compares a bright, warm smile to sunshine, suggesting it brings happiness.
5. “The exam was a piece of cake.”
   • This metaphor indicates that the exam was very easy to complete.

What are Examples of Funny Metaphor?

Funny metaphors add humor and creativity to descriptions, often involving food. Here are 5 examples:

1. “He’s as nutty as a fruitcake.”
   • This metaphor humorously compares someone’s eccentricity to the mixed and often unusual ingredients in a fruitcake.
2. “She’s a real ham.”
   • This metaphor describes someone who likes to be the center of attention, comparing them to a ham, which is often a star ingredient in meals.
3. “He’s a tough cookie.”
   • This metaphor playfully suggests that someone is resilient or strong, comparing them to a hard-to-break cookie.
4. “Life is like a box of chocolates.” – Forrest Gump
   • This famous metaphor humorously implies that life is full of surprises, like the assorted flavors in a box of chocolates.
5. “He’s a big cheese.”
   • This metaphor describes someone important or influential, comparing them to a large, prominent piece of cheese.

What are Examples of Short Metaphor?

Short metaphors convey clear and concise comparisons. Here are 5 examples:

1. “Time is money.”
   • This metaphor equates time with money, emphasizing its value.
2. “The world is a stage.”
   • This metaphor compares the world to a stage, highlighting the roles people play in life.
3. “Love is a battlefield.”
   • This metaphor suggests that love involves struggles and conflicts.
4. “Life is a journey.”
   • This metaphor compares life to a journey, indicating its various phases and experiences.
5. “She’s a shining star.”
   • This metaphor describes someone who stands out or excels.

What are Examples of Extended Metaphors?

Extended metaphors are developed over several lines or throughout a piece of writing. Here are 5 examples:

1. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
   • Frost’s poem uses the extended metaphor of a road to represent life choices and their impact.
2. “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson
   • Dickinson’s poem extends the metaphor of hope as a bird throughout the poem, emphasizing its resilience and ubiquity.
3. “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
   • This song uses the metaphor of a highway to describe life’s journey, with its twists and turns.
4. “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman
   • Whitman’s poem extends the metaphor of a ship’s captain to represent President Abraham Lincoln and his leadership.
5. “The Shield of Achilles” by W.H. Auden
   • Auden’s poem uses the extended metaphor of a shield to explore themes of war and human suffering.

What are Examples of Visual Metaphor?

Visual metaphors use images to represent concepts. Here are 5 examples:

1. A lightbulb representing an idea.
   • This visual metaphor suggests that a new idea is like a light being turned on.
2. A chain representing strong connections.
   • This metaphor uses a chain to symbolize strength and unity.
3. A tree with deep roots representing family heritage.
   • This visual metaphor suggests that a family’s history and values are deeply rooted.
4. A broken mirror representing shattered dreams.
   • This metaphor uses a broken mirror to symbolize broken aspirations or hopes.
5. A clock with wings representing time flying.
   • This visual metaphor illustrates how time seems to pass quickly.

What are Examples of Verbal Metaphor?

Verbal metaphors, often found in metaphor speech, use spoken comparisons. Here are 5 examples:

1. “His temper was a volcano ready to erupt.”
   • This metaphor compares a person’s anger to an active volcano.
2. “Her smile was a ray of sunshine.”
   • This metaphor suggests that her smile brings warmth and happiness.
3. “He’s drowning in paperwork.”
   • This metaphor implies that someone is overwhelmed by a large amount of work.
4. “She has a heart of gold.”
   • This metaphor indicates that she is very kind and generous.
5. “The internet is a web of information.”
   • This metaphor compares the internet to a web, emphasizing its vast, interconnected nature.