Examples of Metaphor

This post is an extension for my last post regarding various types of metaphor, and is intended to provide you with some examples of metaphor. If you remember that post, I basically provided the different technical types of metaphor (like extended, dead, and so on). But if you’re like me in any way, you sometimes need real examples to understand the topic.

After months of digital hardships, dangerous sites, and mind numbing bits and bytes, I finally found a few to share with you (so I exaggerated a little). Anyway, the following is from my research for different examples of metaphor:

Examples of Dead Metaphors (clichés):

Remember, these beauties became this way when they are used too often, and are just more tiresome sayings in our language. They were all good (or living) metaphors at one point in their lives. I also have a post where you can research tons of clichés to your hearts content: A List of Clichés

“I'm dead tired”

“She's the apple of my eye”

“He wore me down”

“I'm heartbroken”

“Strong as an ox”

Examples of Extended Metaphors:

These types are the “Big Bubba’s” of the metaphorical world; they extend beyond one sentence, and can really be taken much farther than that. Notice the briefness of the previous ones compared to the ones below:

“The winds were ocean waves, thrashing against the trees limbs. The gales remained thereafter, only ceasing when the sun went down. Their waves clashed brilliantly with the water beneath, bringing foam and dying leaves to the shore.”

“The teacher descended upon the exams, sank his talons into their pages, ripped the answers to shreds, and then, perching in his chair, began to digest.”

Examples of Mixed Metaphors:

Don’t confuse these with extended metaphors! The big difference here is that a mixed metaphor contains several (but completely unrelated) comparisons. An extended metaphor uses several comparisons (but they are related in one way or another).

“Clinton stepped up to the plate and grabbed the bull by the horn.”

“That wet blanket is a loose cannon.”

“The movie struck a spark that massaged the audience's conscience.”

There, does that help clear a few things up? It never hurts to polish up on these subjects on occasion. I was beginning to lose my ability to determine one from another (as unskillful at it as I was to begin with).

Research for this information was done through: Somniloquy.org, The Wikipedia, and the Perdue English Department

Can you think of any other examples that would fit for this post? Feel free to let me know!

Comments

i need a list of metaphors for school

i think it is rather good i give it 5 stars
*****

[Dessie M. Sanders]

I am doing some research on the metaphors and how they are the color of language. If you or anyone else knows where I can begin my search through good sources, let me know.

[mimi]

It needs more simple examples.... There should be some improvement. This site should be easy to deal with so that students of different levels can understand what metaphor really is, and by citing some good examples. Nevertheless, the author's effort is appreciated. Good job!

[anncute n_n]

i think this page needs more improvement....i only got one idea from it...they should've put more examples here

[little miss pinky]

Can i request some kinky metaphors next time ?

[Mackensie]

i think this site needs more metaphors because i am doing a project that we needed to get the best metaphors we could but yall didn't help me accomplish the project. it need some work it is very plain and boring! HHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP this page please

[S.G]

I think this site could have had more quotes from novels and poems that include metaphors.

[Jessica]

I think that this site has very good examples and information about the metaphors. Thanks for the help from it!!!

[jd]

i think this iz a good web 4 metophor information.

[the country jamica]

ya man pass da dobie to da left hand side man! i tink dis site is a load a cashou!

[J.C.]

I think this is a good brief summary of examples, not meant to be extensive, rather for demonstration purposes only.

[Arianna]

i thought this website needs more metaphors and more information. it was not of much help to me because i was doing a project where i need certain types of metaphor for certain illustrations