Aristotle once wrote, “to be a master of metaphor is a sign of genius.”
And the best way to master the metaphor? Devour lots of good metaphor examples!
So, we’ve compiled a giant list of metaphors from content marketing, literature, famous speeches, and pop culture to give you a go-to resource. You’ll also learn:
- How metaphors and figurative language are related;
- The differences between metaphors and similes, analogies, and hyperbole;
- What are the six common types of metaphors;
- Tips for effectively using metaphors in your own writing.
In short, by the time you finish this post, you’ll be a certified metaphor genius.
But before we get to all that, let’s answer the questions people ask most often about metaphors. We’ll start with a metaphor definition…
What is a Metaphor?
A metaphor (from the Latin metaphora) takes an object or action and compares it to something blindingly familiar, but completed unrelated.
The comparison in a metaphor is always non-literal, which makes it weirdly illogical. And yet, its meaning is (usually) abundantly clear.
For example:
“Love is a fruit in season at all times and in reach of every hand.” — Mother Teresa
Love is not a fruit; however, the meaning of the comparison is easily understood.
Here’s another example:
“She was the black sheep of the family.”
Illogical, right? But you get the meaning right away.
Okay, so that’s the definition of metaphor…
What is Figurative Language?
Figurative language is a technique that supercharges your reader’s imagination by taking a flat (or factual) statement and injecting it with life, color, or humor to make it more interesting.
It allows you to paint vivid pictures, punch home your meaning, and be more persuasive as a writer.
A metaphor is one of several figure-of-speech devices that uses figurative language.
Here’s an example:
“The first rays of sunshine gently stroked my face.”
We all know sunshine can’t literally stroke your face, but we can all relate to the sensation. The figurative language makes it more vibrant than something like, “the first rays of sunshine woke me up.”
This type of figurative language is known as “personification,” which uses human qualities (stroking) to better illustrate a non-human action or thing (the sunshine). It’s a technique often found in metaphors.
There are several other figures of speech that use figurative language, including similes, analogies, metonymy, and hyperbole — which are often confused with metaphors.
So, let’s clear that up for you…
What’s the Difference Between Metaphors and Similes, Analogies, or Hyperbole?
Similes
Simile Definition: A simile is the metaphor’s first cousin. Where a metaphor states that something is something else, a simile compares two different things by using “like” or “as.”
Example of Simile: “Elderly American ladies leaning on their canes listed toward me like towers of Pisa.” — from ‘Lolita’ by Vladimir Nabokov
Difference Between Similes and Metaphors: A simile directly compares two things using “like” or “as” (“he was mad as hell”), while a metaphor implicitly states a comparison, without intending it to be taken literally (“he was boiling mad”).
To the latter example: Obviously, he wasn’t boiling, or he’d be dead. But were he a kettle, his lid would be rattling and steam would be coming from his ears. That’s how mad he’d be!
Analogies
Analogy Definition: An analogy is a turbo-powered simile. While a simile compares two different things, an analogy explains the similarities or relationships between two different things.
Example of Analogy: “Longbottom, if brains were gold, you’d be poorer than Weasley, and that’s saying something.” — from ‘Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone’ by J.K. Rowling
Difference Between Analogies and Metaphors: While a metaphor uses words or phrases to represent an idea, an analogy uses narrative or comparisons to explain the idea.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole Definition: Hyperbole is an exaggeration that is not intended to be taken literally. It’s most commonly used for emphasis, humor, or drama.
Example of Hyperbole: “I was helpless. I did not know what in the world to do. I was quaking from head to foot, and could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far.” — from “Old Times on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain
Difference Between Hyperbole and Metaphors: There is a gray area between the two and it’s often debated. But here are the facts: Hyperbole always uses exaggeration, whereas metaphors sometimes do.
If a metaphor is clearly an exaggeration, it can be described as a hyperbolic metaphor. An example would be, “cry me a river.” Obviously, no one can possibly shed that many tears. On the other hand, “your suitcase weighs a ton” is hyperbole (not a metaphor).
What are The Different Types of Metaphors?
Google “types of metaphors” and you’ll get hundreds of blog posts and scholarly articles with lists of metaphors ranging from 3 to 20+ different types.
Our take?
Focus on the 6 most common types of metaphors:
1. Common Metaphors (aka Direct Metaphors, Primary Metaphors, or Conventional Metaphors)
These are the easiest-to-spot metaphors.
Common metaphors are comparisons where the link can be easily made and directly understood. Example sentence:
“He was a fish out of water at his new school.”
We know immediately what the writer means, even though it’s illogical to compare a school student to a fish.
Vincent Van Gogh’s “conscience is a man’s compass” is another example. Illogical, but we understand the meaning.
Other examples of common metaphors are “night owl”, “cold feet”, “beat a dead horse”, “early bird”, “couch potato”, “eyes were fireflies”, “apple of my eye”, “heart of stone”, “heart of a lion”, “roller coaster of emotions”, and “heart of gold.”
2. Implied Metaphors
Implied metaphors force you to use your imagination. This kind of metaphor doesn’t make a direct comparison, which is easy to spot. Instead, it implies it.
“She was a dog with a bone” is a common metaphor. The dog-like comparison is stated.
“She tucked her tail between her legs and rang away,” on the other hand, is an implied metaphor — the comparison to a dog is implied, but not stated outright.
3. Extended Metaphors (aka Sustained Metaphors)
Extended metaphors can be direct or implied, but create a greater emphasis with the comparison they’re making thanks to their extended length. They can continue for several sentences, several paragraphs, or even longer. (For example, George Orwell’s novella Animal Farm is considered by many to be an extended metaphor.)
Extended metaphors are often used in poetry and literature where the author wants to convey more passion and commitment to a concept.
Here’s an example from “I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou:
But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
And here’s an extended metaphor from “Hope is the Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.
4. Dead Metaphors
Dead metaphors are figures of speech that have been around so long or have been so overused, they have lost their effectiveness.
Phrases like “it’s raining cats and dogs”, “melting pot”, and “you are the light of my life” have morphed from metaphors into trite banalities and should be avoided.
5. Mixed Metaphors
Mixed metaphors are when two or more inconsistent metaphors get jumbled together — often with humorous consequences.
If it’s used intentionally, a mixed metaphor can be an effective communication technique. But in the wrong hands, a mixed metaphor can become a jumbled mess.
Former British soccer manager, Stuart Pearce, gave us this gem:
“I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel.”
6. Sensory Metaphors
Sensory metaphors use figurative language to appeal to our senses — sight, sound, smell, taste or touch. As such, they’re immediately familiar and evocative.
Examples:
- “His voice was silky smooth.”
- “Her smile lit up the room.”
Up to this point, you’ve already seen quite a few metaphor examples as we’ve explained the different types of metaphors and gone over several definitions.
Now, let’s get to the meat of the post. Here are 41 examples of metaphors from content marketing, literature, great poems, speeches, movies, television shows, songs, and more:
Metaphor Examples from Content Marketing
As a content marketer, you fight a constant battle for attention. You need your words to leap off the page and galvanize your readers into action.
Using metaphors is a great way to do that. Especially if you weave the metaphorical theme through your post. It helps give your writing a more intriguing creative tone. It makes your message sticky and memorable.
Take these examples of metaphors from some of the internet’s best content marketing blogs:
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Sonia Simone
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Doug Kessler
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Henneke Duistermaat
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Rusty Weston
All these metaphor examples paint a vivid picture you can see, hear, or even taste. Some of them contain both metaphors and similes, some are extended metaphors, and some are sensory metaphors. But none of them are dead metaphors.
Good metaphors are powerful even when you’re tackling a relatively mundane subject matter, like hiring content writers.
So, imagine how exciting metaphors can be in the hands of great fiction and literary writers whose subject matter can roam anywhere they darn well please.
Let’s look at a few such examples…
Examples of Metaphors in Literature
Metaphors in literature have been around for centuries.
They have cemented glorious stories and ideas into our minds. They have made the words on the page come alive and frolic through our imagination.
Let’s start with the king of literary terms and metaphors:
9.
from 'As You Like It'
Hands up who doesn’t know these famous lines by William Shakespeare?
You’ll find them in every post and article about metaphors, literary devices, or figurative language, because it’s a classic extended metaphor example that’s hard to beat.
Here’s another one:
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“Romeo and Juliet” is chock full of love metaphors. Nothing less than the fair sun and envious moon could express the depth of Romeo’s emotional state at that moment. Imagine if he had been factual and said, “What light through yonder window breaks? Oh look, it’s Juliet heading for the bathroom”.
Shakespeare’s magnificent metaphors have wormed their way into our modern language and today we can recite them without a second thought.
Like these examples:
- “A horse, a horse. My kingdom for a horse!” — from Richard III
- “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” — from Sonnet 18
- “Parting is such sweet sorrow…” — from Romeo and Juliet
- “All that glitters is not gold…” — from The Merchant of Venice
- “Why, then, the world’s mine oyster…” — from The Merry Wives of Windsor
I bet you didn’t know that last one was by Shakespeare.
Metaphors are also used throughout the Bible:
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In fact, the Bible is a hotbed of metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language:
- “I am the way, the truth and the life.” — John 14:6
- “You are the Father, we are the clay and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.” — Isaiah 64:8
- “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” — John 6:35
We can find great metaphor examples in recent works of literature too:
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from 'Kill the Dead' by Richard Kadrey
That’s a formidable metaphor. This one’s a little sweeter:
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And this one pulls no punches:
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from ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl
Ouch! Poor Matilda.
Or how about metaphors in poetry? Here’s an extract from a poem written when the author thought she might be pregnant:
23.
Yikes! Can’t you feel Sylvia’s swollen discomfort? Perhaps it was just as well she turned out not to be pregnant after all.
One more:
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from ‘Sand & Foam’ by Khalil Gibran
This one sentence manages to fit in two different comparisons, words/crumbs and feast/mind. Impressive.
Metaphor Examples from Famous Speeches
Famous metaphors are found in great speeches throughout history.
Notable statesmen and leaders know they need to capture the hearts and minds of their audience and nothing does that better than a slam dunk metaphor. Like these:
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Winston Churchill’s 'Finest Hour' speech in June 1940
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JFK referring to Winston Churchill
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Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address in 1933
Examples of Metaphors from Pop Culture
Metaphors don’t always have to be profound or literary. In the hands of song, TV, and movie writers; metaphors are often light, whimsical, and funny (or sad).
But, they’re always entertaining.
Songwriters turn to metaphors because it allows them to be more creative, expressive, and raw with their lyrics. Metaphors in songs are designed to be felt.
Take these lyrics:
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Pat Benatar
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Dolly Parton
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John Mayer
In TV and movies, metaphors are often used as a device to handle taboo subjects such as sex or bodily parts. If you dress them up in comedic banter, it makes them more acceptable (and even funny).
The TV show Seinfeld was masterful at this:
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Kramer (on his preference for Jockey shorts)
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And next time you go to the movies, watch out for an entire metaphorical theme lurking behind the scenes:
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Now that we’ve looked at numerous metaphor examples, let’s go over some practical tips that’ll help you use metaphors in your own writing.
How to Use Metaphors to Supercharge Your Writing
- Use Metaphors in Your Headlines
- Make an Entire Post or Article Metaphorically Themed
- Use Metaphors to Make Facts and Figures Come to Life
- Be Sure to Use Metaphors Relevant to Your Audience
- Use of Metaphors to Make Dull Ideas Sparkle
- Metaphors Don’t Have to Be Written (Or, Get Creative With Metaphorical Images)
- Avoid the Cliches and Don’t Overdo Your Metaphor Quota
1. Use Metaphors in Your Headlines
We all know that headlines are the most important part of your post. If your headline doesn’t grab your reader’s attention, the rest of your post will be dead in the water.
So, what better place to slip in a nifty metaphor than in your headline? Like so:
- Toy Story 4 is a Salute to Parents of Grown Children — from Nature Moms
- Win the War on Debt: 80 Ways to be Frugal and Save Money — from Art of Manliness
- How Decision Fatigue Steals Your Productivity (And How to Win it Back) — from Evernote
2. Make an Entire Post or Article Metaphorically Themed
This is a great way to bring a subject to life or make a complex idea more easily understood. Here’s how:
First, take your subject and think of a second concept you could align it to. Let’s say your subject is “how to write a content brief,” which involves a formula and process — a bit like cooking. So, let’s use that as your second concept.
Now start brainstorming words and ideas that can be applied to each concept separately:
Next, look at your two lists and identify words or ideas that might overlap:
- “Set of instructions” and “recipes”
- “Audience” and “diners”
- “Outcomes” and “end result”
- “Style/voice” and “secret herbs and spices”
- “Outline” and “ingredients”
Can you feel a theme coming on?
3. Use Metaphors to Make Facts and Figures Come to Life
Data. Facts and Figures. We all know they’re important to substantiate your arguments, but on their own they can be meaningless and, to be honest, downright boring.
If I told you the circumference of the earth was 24,901 miles, you’d probably yawn.
But if I said the circumference of the earth was 801,500 Olympic size swimming pools laid back to back, it paints a much more relatable picture.
Think about the way we teach children how to add and subtract. We say, “if I give you three apples and take away one, how many are you left with?”
We are no different as adults. Our brains process facts and figures more effectively when they are anchored to a relatable or concrete idea.
4. Be Sure to Use Metaphors Relevant to Your Audience
Think about who you are writing for and the context of your subject matter. If your post is aimed at teenage girls, you probably wouldn’t use a war analogy.
On the other hand, writers in the self-improvement niche often use metaphors related to battles as we strive to conquer our demons and make changes in our lives.
Use metaphors that are relevant to the times we live in and changes in our society and culture. Think about the age and generational context of your audience. If they are young, don’t use outdated or old-fashioned metaphors that will leave them cold.
5. Use of Metaphors to Make Dull Ideas Sparkle
Like it or not, there’s probably going to come a time when you find yourself having to write about something dull. (And if you write for clients, there definitely will come a time when you’re bored to tears.)
That’s when metaphors become the writer’s best friend.
Metaphors allow you to hold your audience’s attention by shifting their focus away from the boring bits onto something far more imaginative and creative. Comparing religion, art, and science to branches on a tree, as Albert Einstein once did, is a good example.
Kristina Halvorson does this in her post How to Embrace (and Gently Encourage) the Content Audit.
Let’s face it, a content audit is not the most riveting subject matter, but Kristina manages to bring it to life by comparing audits to clearing up other people’s “icky detritus” after the winter snow has melted.
6. Metaphors Don’t Have to Be Written (Or, Get Creative With Metaphorical Images)
Metaphors don’t have to be limited to text. You can make your point just as powerfully — and faster — with a metaphorical image.
In blogging, no one does metaphorical illustrations better than Henneke Duistermaat and her hand-drawn “Henrietta” cartoons.
We can’t all be talented artists like Henneke, but we can find entertaining or moving images that represent our message.
But…
When you’re searching for the right image on sites like Unsplash and Gratisography, remember not to think of the literal meaning. Think metaphorically.
Let’s say you want to write a post on writer’s block. The obvious image would be something like this:
But that’s too obvious. What we need is a metaphor for writer’s block.
What emotions would you compare to writer’s block? Emptiness, fearfulness, loneliness, frustration, feeling trapped?
Look for images that capture one or more of those feelings. Like this:
Which of those two images is going to attract more attention and add more spice and character to your blog post?
7. Avoid the Cliches and Don’t Overdo Your Metaphor Quota
Finally, here are a few what not to-dos:
- Don’t overuse metaphors. Opt for simple metaphors (or sprinkle a few well-placed metaphors for the sake of clarity or persuasion). Too many will weigh your post down and start to sound messy.
- Don’t force metaphors into your writing. It’s like overusing adjectives or flowery words. Readers will spot them a mile away.
- Avoid the overly obvious or dead metaphors. They tend to be clichéd and have lost their ability to conjure up a visual image. Examples are “going belly up,” “kicking the bucket,” and “you light up my life.”
You Just Read the Definitive List of Metaphor Examples. Ready to Unleash Their Power?
Metaphors are all around us.
They sneak into everyday life and everyday language (“the traffic was a nightmare”). They help us form impressions of people and situations (“he fought cancer and won”).
But most of all — as I hope these examples of metaphors have shown you — they are one of the most powerfully-persuasive devices in a writer’s toolbox.
Metaphors are a zap of electricity between you and your audience — a jolt that’s often the difference between a lackluster sentence and a sparkling gem of persuasive genius.
So, next time you want to compel your readers to take action, savor your words, or quickly grasp your meaning, use a metaphor.
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