A metaphor is a combination of vocabulary items we use to express a particular feeling or encourage imagination.
- her sunny smile
- have a big head
- to purr with delight
- a sun-drenched beach
- to pull strings
Words Used Metaphorically
Here are some examples of words being used metaphorically:
- I hope this will have cushioned your loss.
- Seeing him on stage fired my enthusiasm.
- She just froze when she saw her ex-boyfriend.
- He's always trumpeting his own successes.
Compound Adjectives and Nouns as Metaphors
Some compounds are always metaphorical - they have a meaning that each part of the compound doesn't have. A bloodbath is never 'a bath full of blood'; the compound has only the meaning of 'a massacre'.
Unlock full access by logging in. Registered users can explore the entire lesson and more.