Have you ever said “time is money”? If so, you just made a comparison between two unrelated things using a rhetorical device called a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things, stating that one is the other to emphasize their similarity. These phrases are a creative way to transfer qualities from one thing to another — particularly an abstract idea and a more concrete object.
For example, “Love is a battlefield” isn’t just a popular song by 80s rock star Pat Benatar. It’s a popular metaphor comparing the abstract concept/feelings/experience of love to the documented conflicts, pain, and struggles one may experience on the battlefield.
From songs to poetry, metaphors make it easier to express complex ideas and feelings using one phrase. Famous poets such as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou as well as the playwright William Shakespeare all eloquently used this literary technique.
“I am the dream and the hope of the slave,” Angelou famously wrote in her poem “Still I Rise.”
Unlike idioms, people can constantly create their own metaphors by using this basic structure: Noun – Linking Verb – NOUN.
Why Metaphors Matter
As noted above, some of the world’s most beloved and influential writers have made extensive use of metaphor. According to Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, metaphors help people better understand more complex concepts through familiar experiences as they help people perceive and interact with the world. Therefore, they can enhance the understanding and use of creative expression, especially in text.
While their presence in poetry and music is well noted, metaphors have even used beautiful images to depict terrifying events in books.
Case in point is Ray Bradbury described the burning books in. “Sit down, Montag. Watch. Delicately, like the petals of a flower. Light the first page, light the second page. Each becomes a black butterfly. Beautiful, eh?” — excerpt from “Fahrenheit 451.”
Yes, he likens the torched ashes of a book to a black butterfly in the wind — the power of metaphor.
Quick History
So where do metaphors come from?
The Oxford English Dictionary describes metaphors as a name, descriptive word, or phrase transferred to an object or action that differs from but has clear comparative similarities to the object in question. The Greek word “metaphora” pops up around 1529.
According to the BBC, the meaning of the Greek word is “to carry across or beyond” as “meta” means beyond and “phero” means to carry. Carrying or connecting meaning is an easier way to learn.
Even the Bible uses it, with one of the most famous lines appearing in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd.” This phrase conveys the role of the Christian God in guiding and protecting people, much like a shepherd does his flock.
As author James Geary, in the BBC Radio 4 program Word of Mouth said, “The only way we have of learning something new is by comparing it to something we already know.” And metaphors do that beautifully.
Metaphor vs. Simile vs. Idiom
As you become more familiar with metaphors, you may notice some similarities with idioms and similes. While all these informal forms of expression add flair to any text or speech, they all have defining characteristics that separate them.
For starters, you can create your own metaphors and similes, but idioms are usually already established and don’t change over time. Most idioms have a story behind their origin that came about from a common practice or cultural belief.
Similes always use “is” or “like” for direct comparison. However, with metaphors, the comparison is more implied by using any verb to transfer action.
“Her smile is like the sun” is an example of a simile, whereas a metaphor would say “Her smile is sunshine.”
Metaphor = Cats and dogs are falling from the sky
Idiom = It’s raining cats and dogs
Simile = The rain is a strong as cats and dogs falling from the sky
🧩 Metaphor vs. Simile vs. Idiom: What’s the Difference?
| Term | Definition | Structure | Example |
| Metaphor | A direct comparison between two unrelated things by saying one is the other. | Noun – Linking Verb – Noun (X is Y) | “Her smile is sunshine.”(Her smile is warm and bright.) |
| Simile | A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.” | Uses “like” or “as” | “Her smile is like the sun.”(Her smile is as bright as the sun.) |
| Idiom | A fixed figurative expression whose meaning is not literal and often culturally specific. | Set phrase; can’t be changed | “It’s raining cats and dogs.”(Means: it’s raining very heavily.) |
🎯 Metaphor, Simile, or Idiom? – Matching Quiz
Instructions: Match each sentence to the correct type of figurative language:
Core Categories (5 groups)
Love
Love is a drug = Love is addictive
Our love is a symphony = a couple’s emotions blend together in harmony.
Love is a river = love flows with emotions, like the waters of a river.
Love is a rollercoaster ride = love has many twists and turns and ups and downs.
Example: “His love is like a drug, so it’s hard for me to resist him.”
Life
Life is a mirror = your life reflects what you put into it.
Life is a garden = the experiences you have are seeds that can blossom if you tend to them properly.
Your life is a blank canvas = you have the potential to create and shape your experiences.
Example: After the divorce, she felt like her life was a blank canvas with unlimited possibilities she now had time to fulfill.
Time
Time flies = time goes very quickly.
Time is a thief = time steals precious things like youth, opportunities, and loved ones as they die.
Time is a teacher= one will naturally get valuable lessons as time goes on.
Example: “Time is the thief you cannot banish.” excerpt from Phyllis McGinley’s “Ballade of Lost Objects“
Growth
Growth is a ladder = each step requires effort and takes you higher.
Growth is a sculptor’s chisel = it takes away unnecessary things to reveal beauty within.
Growth is a sunrise = is quiet and slow while casting light on what was once in the dark.
Example: Growth is a sunrise slowly shedding light on the person you’re becoming.
Emotion
Grief is a shadow = grief may always be there, changing shape, but never truly goes away.
Anger is a volcano = anger can build beneath the surface quietly before violently erupting.
A ray of sunshine = something that brings happiness.
Example: Sue is a ray of sunshine who can always cheer everyone up.
10 Essential Metaphors
| Metaphor and Meaning | Example Sentence |
| That place is a zoo = the place is noisy/ chaotic | Times Square is a zoo on the weekends with so many tourists. |
| He is a couch potato = someone is lazy/always sitting | After a busy week at work, I become a couch potato on the weekends. |
| Eyes are the window to the soul = you can see true emotions through the eyes | The eyes are the window to the soul and show how happy or sad you really are. |
| Life is a journey = life involves different paths and experiences | Life is a journey that allows you to grow through different experiences. |
| I could eat a horse = expresses extreme hunger | He ate two burgers at dinner because he was so hungry he could eat a horse. |
| Carry a torch = have unreturned romantic feelings | After the divorce, the man still carries a torch for his ex-wife. |
| It’s showtime = time to start something | Fall means its showtime for all the new students. |
| (Person) is an open book = very open with their feelings, person has nothing to hide | James is an open book so you never have to wonder how he feels. |
| The world is your oyster = there are many opportunities available | After moving to New York City, Michelle felt the world was her oyster. |
| She has a heart of gold | She spends so much time doing volunteer work because she has a heart of gold. |
Essential Metaphor Spotlight *
The famous saying “All the world’s a stage” comes from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”. It refers to life being a performance where everyone plays different roles, from baby to brash soldier to elderly person within their lifetime.
In baseball, before you can reach home plate, you must successfully reach each base in between without getting struck out. That’s where “Cover your bases” comes from, as it implies one should prepare accordingly for several different outcomes.
How to Teach & Learn Metaphors Fast
The key to grasping metaphors is understanding good comparisons. Remember a metaphor expresses that something IS another thing, not just “like” it. So, start by showing students how to compare the same two things using a metaphor and a simile to see the difference.
For example: “He is a night owl” is a metaphor, but “He stays up as late as an owl” is a simile.
Have students point out metaphors in some of their favorite music, poems, and books. Give assignments from authors known to use this form of speech in their writing.
Don’t forget to have students create their own metaphors in a poem or short story. They can even look at pictures, advertisements, and film to create metaphors based on what they see.
Metaphors for Kids
Younger students benefit from simple, concrete metaphors related to everyday things. For example, ‘The classroom was a zoo’ paints a vivid picture and is easy for kids to grasp. Using pictures and relatable contexts can help children understand metaphors.
✨ Try It Yourself: Metaphor Generator
Enter a feeling, object, or idea — and we’ll help you turn it into a metaphor!
Just type in something like “fear,” “my teacher,” or “summer” and let the generator create a powerful sentence using the metaphor structure “X is Y.” It’s a great way to explore creative language, whether you’re a student or teacher.
Free Metaphor Worksheet & Lesson Plan
Enhance your students’ understanding of metaphors with our free, downloadable worksheet and ready-to-use lesson plan, suitable for middle to early high school students (Grades 6-10) and English language learners at an intermediate (B1–B2) ESL/CEFR level. These resources are designed to reinforce the concepts discussed in this article through engaging activities and practical exercises. Click below to view, download, or print the PDF.
FAQs
It’s a figure of speech that implies comparison between two dissimilar things.
Similes always use “like” and “as” to make an explicit comparison.
Idioms are figurative expressions that don’t directly relate to the literal meaning of the words used. However, metaphors connect the literal meaning on one word to help describe a similar characteristic in another.
