Introduction
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which something is said to be X when it is really only like X. For example, “He is my rock”; “I’m drowning in a sea of paperwork”; “Thy word is a lantern unto my feet”. See if you can make some interesting metaphors with the words suggested in this exercise.
1 Shield. Snare. Ladder.
2 Thorn. Crutch. Gate.
3 Balm. Axe. Prop.
4 Crumb. Fire. Crossroads.
5 Step. Wheel. Cloak.
6 Road. Light. Path.
7 Fire. Pillar. Beacon.
8 Bee. Fount. Rock.
9 Cushion. Voice. Lamb.
10 Root. Face. Kick.
11 Eye. Ear. Heart.
12 Bridge. Cradle. Slap.
13 River. Gun. Cloud.
14 Wing. Shadow. Wind.
How many other words can you think of, that would make good metaphors?
Metaphors are so common that we don’t notice all of them. Sometimes this is because we could hardly speak without them (e.g. I see what you mean), in which case we call them ‘dead’ metaphors. Sometimes they have become set phrases (a pillar of the church, a bridge too far), in which case they may be labelled ‘stale’. Mixed metaphors are regarded as bad style (e.g. the fire of his anger had evaporated) but it can be fun thinking them up. An extended metaphor is a metaphor that is developed into several sentences or even paragraphs.
Archive
You are welcome to share your creativity with me, or ask for help with any of the exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
See more at Email Support.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
