metaphor of a homework

25 Metaphors for Homework

Homework – a word that can evoke a wide range of emotions in students, from dread to determination. It’s a crucial aspect of education, a bridge between classroom learning and independent understanding.

However, sometimes it feels like a never-ending struggle. But what if we looked at homework differently? What if we used metaphors to describe it, making it seem less like a chore and more like an adventure?

In this article, we’ll explore various metaphors for homework, each shedding light on a unique aspect of this academic endeavor.

Metaphors for Homework

1. a set of instructions or steps.

Meaning: Homework can be likened to a set of instructions or steps, similar to following a recipe.

In a Sentence: Just as a chef follows a recipe to create a culinary masterpiece, students follow the instructions in their homework to master a subject.

2. A Road to Travel

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a journey or path towards learning and understanding, like traveling down a road.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a mile marker on the road of education, guiding students on their quest for knowledge.

3. A Fish to Catch

Meaning: Homework can involve trying to “catch” new concepts or ideas, similar to how one might try to catch a fish.

In a Sentence: Students cast their mental nets into the vast sea of information, hoping to catch the elusive understanding hidden beneath the surface.

4. A Ship to Steer

Meaning: Homework can involve navigating your way through new material, similar to steering a ship.

In a Sentence: Just as a captain must navigate through treacherous waters, students steer their way through complex assignments, avoiding pitfalls along the way.

5. A Tool to Use

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a means to an end, like a tool that is used to accomplish a task.

In a Sentence: Homework serves as a versatile tool in the educational toolbox, helping students sharpen their cognitive skills.

6. A Canvas to Paint

Meaning: Homework can be seen as an opportunity to create and express yourself, similar to painting on a canvas.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a blank canvas where students can brush strokes of their unique understanding, creating a masterpiece of comprehension.

7. A Battle to Fight

Meaning: Homework can sometimes feel like a struggle or a challenge that needs to be overcome, like a battle.

In a Sentence: Armed with knowledge as their sword and determination as their shield, students engage in the intellectual battles of homework.

8. A Journey to Embark On

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a journey of discovery and learning, like embarking on a new adventure.

In a Sentence: Every homework assignment is an exciting expedition into the uncharted territories of knowledge, full of surprises and revelations.

9. A Treasure to Hunt For

Meaning: Homework can involve searching for and uncovering new information or knowledge, similar to hunting for treasure.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students become modern-day treasure hunters, sifting through information to find the golden nuggets of wisdom hidden within.

10. A Plant to Water

Meaning: Homework can involve nurturing and maintaining your understanding of a subject, similar to watering a plant to keep it healthy.

In a Sentence: Just as a gardener cares for their plants, students must regularly tend to their understanding by completing homework assignments to ensure it grows and flourishes.

11. A Puzzle to Solve

Meaning: Homework can be likened to a puzzle, where students must piece together information and concepts to form a complete picture.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a puzzle waiting to be solved, with every answer contributing to the bigger picture of understanding.

12. A Marathon to Run

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a long-distance race, where consistency and pacing are key to reaching the finish line successfully.

In a Sentence: Education is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, and homework is a daily training session to build endurance and knowledge.

13. A Symphony to Compose

Meaning: Homework can be compared to composing a symphony, where different elements must harmonize to create a beautiful piece of work.

In a Sentence: Like a composer crafting a symphony, students craft their assignments, ensuring that each part contributes to the overall harmony.

14. A Code to Crack

Meaning: Homework can be like deciphering a complex code, where students work diligently to understand and solve the intricacies of a subject.

In a Sentence: Each assignment presents a code to be cracked, and with perseverance, students unveil the secrets hidden within.

15. A Garden to Cultivate

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a garden to cultivate, where students plant the seeds of knowledge and nurture their growth over time.

In a Sentence: Just as a gardener tends to their plants, students must care for their understanding, allowing it to bloom with each completed assignment.

16. A Map to Follow

Meaning: Homework can be likened to following a map, where each task guides students on a journey through the landscape of learning.

In a Sentence: Each homework assignment is a map, leading students through the terrain of knowledge, helping them explore and navigate.

17. A Story to Write

Meaning: Homework can be compared to writing a story, where students craft narratives of their own understanding and insights.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students become storytellers, weaving together facts and ideas to create compelling narratives of learning.

18. A Recipe to Master

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a recipe to master, with each step representing a key ingredient in the dish of comprehension.

In a Sentence: Just as a chef perfects a recipe, students perfect their understanding by diligently following the steps of their assignments.

19. A Puzzle to Assemble

Meaning: Homework can be like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where students fit together the pieces of knowledge to complete the big picture.

In a Sentence: Each homework task is a puzzle piece, and students become expert puzzle solvers, completing the grand educational image.

20. A Building to Construct

Meaning: Homework can be likened to constructing a building, where each assignment contributes to the foundation of knowledge.

In a Sentence: Education is a construction project, and students are the builders, laying each brick of understanding with their homework efforts.

21. A Sculpture to Shape

Meaning: Homework can be compared to sculpting a masterpiece, where students chisel away at their understanding to reveal the beauty of knowledge.

In a Sentence: Each assignment is a block of marble, and students are the sculptors, shaping their comprehension with each refined detail.

22. A Puzzle to Navigate

Meaning: Homework can be like navigating through a labyrinth, where students must find their way through complex concepts and ideas.

In a Sentence: Much like an intrepid explorer in a maze, students navigate the intricate paths of homework assignments, aiming to emerge victorious.

23. A Bridge to Cross

Meaning: Homework can be seen as a bridge connecting what students know to what they need to learn, helping them cross over to a deeper understanding.

In a Sentence: With each assignment, students build bridges of knowledge, enabling them to cross over into uncharted territories of learning.

24. A Puzzle to Piece Together

Meaning: Homework can be likened to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, where each element represents a crucial part of the overall comprehension.

In a Sentence: Just as puzzle enthusiasts meticulously connect pieces to reveal a picture, students piece together concepts in their assignments to see the complete educational image.

25. A Song to Compose

Meaning: Homework can be compared to composing a musical masterpiece, where students harmonize the notes of knowledge to create beautiful compositions.

In a Sentence: Like composers crafting symphonies, students craft their assignments, ensuring that every element contributes to the melodious tune of understanding.

These metaphors for homework offer a rich tapestry of perspectives, each highlighting a distinct facet of the educational journey. By adopting these metaphors, students can shift their mindset from mere homework completion to engaging in exciting adventures, solving puzzles, composing symphonies, and nurturing gardens of knowledge. Homework becomes not just a task but a canvas for creativity and exploration.

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30 Metaphors for Homework + Quiz

Homework is like that friend who always shows up unannounced, stays longer than expected, and never fails to challenge you. We’ve all been there, staring at a pile of assignments, wondering how to make it through the night.

But what if we could turn these seemingly insurmountable tasks into metaphors, making them easier to understand and conquer?

In this article, we’ll explore a variety of metaphors for homework, each shedding light on the multifaceted nature of this educational endeavor.

What is a Metaphor for Homework?

Metaphors are powerful tools that help us make sense of complex ideas by comparing them to something more familiar.

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What is a simile?

Identify the simile in the following sentence: “She swims like a fish.”

What is a metaphor?

Which of the following is a metaphor?

What is an idiom?

What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

What is an adjective?

Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

What is an abbreviation?

What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

What is a verb?

Identify the verb in the following sentence: “The cat sleeps on the sofa.”

“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

Which of the following is an adjective?

The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

Choose the metaphor in the following sentence: “Time is a thief.”

What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

Identify the verb in this sentence: “They whispered secrets into the night.”

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When it comes to homework, using metaphors can make the experience less daunting and more relatable.

Let’s dive into some metaphors for homework, giving each one meaning and using them in sentences to illustrate their applicability.

Homework is like a weight on your shoulders, a task that must be carried until completion. For more similes related to homework, you can check out this resource: Similes for Homework . Additionally, if you’re interested in idioms associated with homework, you can explore them here: Idioms for Homework .

Metaphors for Homework

1. a mountain to climb.

Meaning: Homework is as challenging as scaling a towering mountain, requiring determination, effort, and stamina.

In a Sentence: The calculus assignment felt like a mountain to climb, but I conquered it with sheer perseverance.

2. A Beast to Conquer

Meaning: Homework can be a formidable adversary, requiring strategic thinking and courage to defeat.

In a Sentence: The research paper was a beast to conquer, but I tamed it with thorough research and precise writing.

3. A Maze to Navigate

Meaning: Homework often feels like a labyrinth, with twists and turns that demand careful navigation.

In a Sentence: Solving the physics problems was like navigating a maze, but I found my way to the solutions eventually.

4. A Marathon

Meaning: Completing homework assignments can be a long and demanding race, requiring pacing and endurance.

In a Sentence: The history project was a marathon, but I paced myself and finished strong.

5. A Never-Ending Journey

Meaning: Homework can sometimes feel like an endless trip, with no clear destination in sight.

In a Sentence: The literature reading list seemed like a never-ending journey, but I enjoyed every step of it.

6. A Mental Workout

Meaning: Homework exercises our brains, just like a rigorous workout for our bodies.

In a Sentence: Solving those math problems was a mental workout that left me mentally stronger.

7. A Battle of Wits

Meaning: Homework challenges our intellect and reasoning, akin to a strategic battle.

In a Sentence: The debate assignment turned into a fierce battle of wits, but I presented my arguments convincingly.

8. A Puzzle to Solve

Meaning: Homework often consists of pieces that need to fit together, much like a jigsaw puzzle.

In a Sentence: The chemistry assignment was a puzzle to solve, and I finally connected all the pieces.

9. A Treasure Hunt

Meaning: Homework assignments hide valuable knowledge like hidden treasures, waiting to be discovered.

In a Sentence: Researching for the history project felt like a treasure hunt, unearthing fascinating facts.

10. A Brain Teaser

Meaning: Homework can be as puzzling as a challenging brainteaser, demanding creative thinking.

In a Sentence: The riddle in the literature assignment was a brain teaser, but I cracked it with an innovative interpretation.

11. A Time-Consuming Task

Meaning: Homework often eats up our time, similar to a task that demands significant hours.

In a Sentence: The programming project was a time-consuming task, but I managed my schedule efficiently.

12. A Mental Gymnastics

Meaning: Homework stretches our mental abilities, like gymnastics push the limits of physical flexibility.

In a Sentence: The philosophy essay required mental gymnastics to explore intricate concepts.

13. A Mind-Bending Challenge

Meaning: Homework can twist and bend our minds, presenting unconventional problems.

In a Sentence: Solving the physics equations was a mind-bending challenge that expanded my understanding of the subject.

14. A Deep Sea Dive

Meaning: Homework is like diving into the depths of knowledge, exploring uncharted waters.

In a Sentence: Exploring Shakespeare’s sonnets felt like a deep sea dive into the world of literature.

15. A Daunting Obstacle Course

Meaning: Homework can be as intimidating as an obstacle course, testing our skills at every turn.

In a Sentence: The biology project was a daunting obstacle course, but I navigated through it with precision.

16. A Relentless Treadmill

Meaning: Homework often feels like a continuous cycle, much like a treadmill that keeps moving.

In a Sentence: The weekly assignments seemed like a relentless treadmill, but I kept up with the pace.

17. A Tricky Tightrope Walk

Meaning: Homework requires a delicate balance, much like walking on a tightrope.

In a Sentence: Managing my extracurricular activities and homework was a tricky tightrope walk, but I found equilibrium.

18. A Bottomless Pit

Meaning: Homework can feel like an endless void, where the more you do, the more there seems to be left.

In a Sentence: The research for the psychology paper felt like falling into a bottomless pit of information.

19. A Tangled Web

Meaning: Homework often presents complex interconnections, similar to a web of challenges.

In a Sentence: The economics assignment was a tangled web of theories and data analysis.

20. A Steep Learning Curve

Meaning: Homework may have a challenging initial phase, much like a steep curve before mastery.

In a Sentence: Learning to code had a steep learning curve, but I quickly grasped the fundamentals.

21. A Dense Jungle

Meaning: Homework can be as intricate and bewildering as navigating through a dense jungle.

In a Sentence: The ecology project was a journey through a dense jungle of ecosystems and biodiversity.

22. A Wild Rollercoaster Ride

Meaning: Homework can be unpredictable, with ups and downs like a thrilling rollercoaster.

In a Sentence: The creative writing assignment was a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions and inspiration.

23. A Constant Uphill Battle

Meaning: Homework can be a continuous challenge, much like a never-ending ascent.

In a Sentence: The language course felt like a constant uphill battle, but I improved my skills steadily.

24. A Swirling Whirlwind

Meaning: Homework can feel chaotic and overwhelming, resembling a swirling whirlwind.

In a Sentence: Preparing for the history exam was a swirling whirlwind of dates and events.

25. A Complex Chess Game

Meaning: Homework often requires strategic thinking, similar to a chess game.

In a Sentence: Solving the engineering problems was like playing a complex chess game, planning every move carefully.

26. A Demanding Drill

Meaning: Homework can be as rigorous as a demanding drill, requiring practice and discipline.

In a Sentence: Mastering the music composition required a demanding drill of composing melodies.

27. A Never-Ending Story

Meaning: Homework can seem like an ongoing narrative, with each assignment adding to the plot.

In a Sentence: The literature class felt like a never-ending story, with each book contributing to the narrative.

28. A Continuous Quest

Meaning: Homework assignments are like quests, each contributing to our knowledge journey.

In a Sentence: The geography project was a continuous quest to explore different cultures and landscapes.

29. A Boundless Ocean

Meaning: Homework can feel as vast as an ocean, with endless opportunities for exploration.

In a Sentence: The astronomy research was like diving into a boundless ocean of celestial knowledge.

30. A Formidable Foe

Meaning: Homework can be a formidable opponent, challenging us to overcome obstacles.

In a Sentence: The statistics problems were a formidable foe, but I tackled them with determination.

Here are 10 quiz questions about the metaphors mentioned in the article:

• A) Homework is a peaceful and serene experience.
• B) Homework is an easy task to complete.
• C) Homework is challenging and requires determination.
• A) A Treasure Hunt
• B) A Relentless Treadmill
• C) A Mind-Bending Challenge
• A) Homework is straightforward and simple.
• B) Homework requires creative thinking.
• C) Homework is dull and uninspiring.
• A) A Marathon
• B) A Never-Ending Journey
• C) A Swirling Whirlwind
• A) Homework is straightforward and easy to understand.
• B) Homework involves complex interconnections and challenges.
• C) Homework is a relaxing and enjoyable task.
• A) A Deep Sea Dive
• B) A Tricky Tightrope Walk
• C) A Time-Consuming Task
• A) Homework is effortless and requires no effort.
• B) Homework is easy to master.
• C) Homework may have a challenging initial phase before mastery.
• A) A Puzzle to Solve
• B) A Beast to Conquer
• C) A Bottomless Pit
• A) Homework is simple and straightforward.
• B) Homework requires strategic thinking.
• C) Homework is like a recreational game.
• A) A Never-Ending Story
• B) A Continuous Quest
• C) A Demanding Drill

Feel free to use these quiz questions to test your knowledge of the metaphors used to describe homework in the article.

Homework is undoubtedly a significant part of our educational journey, and it comes in many forms, each with its unique challenges. By using metaphors, we can make these challenges more relatable and easier to tackle.

Whether it’s conquering a beast, navigating a maze, or embarking on a never-ending journey, we can find inspiration in these metaphors to approach homework with confidence and enthusiasm.

About the author

Dr. Julia Rossi

Dr. Julia Rossi , a luminary in the field of linguistics, earned her Ph.D. with a groundbreaking thesis that delved into the cultural and historical dimensions of idioms, metaphors, and similes. Her work, spanning decades, has brought to light the dynamic nature of idiomatic expressions, illustrating how they serve as cultural artifacts, revealing the collective consciousness of a society. Rossi’s publications, widely acclaimed in academic circles, have not only expanded our understanding of idioms but have also paved the way for a more nuanced appreciation of cross-cultural communication.

Word Of The Day

Ephemeral (adjective) :

• Lasting for a very short time; short-lived; transitory.
• Existing only briefly; temporary; fleeting.

Example sentence: “The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each spring.”

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Verbal Versa

19 Metaphors For Homework

Hey, students! Let’s talk about metaphors for homework. It’s like comparing homework to different things to help us understand it better. From saying it’s a mountain to climb to calling it a puzzle to solve, metaphors make homework feel more relatable. So, get ready to explore the world of homework metaphors and see your assignments in a whole new light! 📚✨

Table of Contents

Homework is the Flashlight in the Dark Cave of Learning:

Explanation: Homework acts as a source of light that helps students navigate through the complex world of learning. Just as a flashlight illuminates the path in a dark cave, homework illuminates the path to understanding by providing students with the opportunity to practice and reinforce what they have learned in class. It helps to clarify concepts and identify areas where further study is needed. Example: Just as a flashlight helps a hiker find their way in the dark, homework helps a student find their way through the complex maze of learning.

Homework is the Seasoning in the Soup of Knowledge:

Explanation: Homework adds flavor and depth to the learning experience, making it more enjoyable and satisfying for students. Just as seasoning enhances the taste of food, homework enhances the learning process by providing students with the opportunity to explore topics in greater depth and develop a deeper understanding of the material. It also helps to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Example: Just as seasoning brings out the flavor of a soup, homework brings out the full flavor of learning.

Intelligence’s Inventory:

Explanation: Homework is like a storage room for the mind, where students can stockpile knowledge and skills for future use. By completing homework, students are able to reinforce what they have learned in class and commit it to memory, building a valuable inventory of knowledge and skills that they can draw upon in the future. This inventory is essential for academic success and personal growth. Example: Just as a well-stocked inventory helps a business succeed, a well-stocked mind helps a student succeed.

Homework is the Road Signs on the Highway to Understanding:

Explanation: Homework provides students with clear directions and guidance on the path to understanding. It helps students to stay on track and avoid getting lost in the complex world of learning . Just as road signs provide directions and warnings to drivers, homework provides students with the information they need to stay on the right path and avoid misunderstandings or misconceptions. Example: Just as a road sign points the way to a destination, homework points the way to understanding.

Homework is the GPS Guiding You Through the Maze of Information:

Explanation: Homework acts as a personal guide for students, helping them to navigate the overwhelming amount of information they encounter in their studies. It provides students with a clear and concise roadmap to understanding, allowing them to focus on the most important concepts and avoid getting lost in the details. Just as a GPS provides turn-by-turn directions to a destination, homework provides step-by-step guidance to understanding. Example: Just as a GPS guides a driver to their destination, homework guides a student to understanding.

Study’s Seedbed:

Explanation: Homework is the fertile ground where knowledge and skills are planted and nurtured. By completing homework, students are able to cultivate their understanding of a subject and watch it grow over time. Just as a seed needs the right conditions to germinate and grow into a plant , knowledge needs to be nurtured through practice and reinforcement to take root and flourish. Example: Just as a seedbed provides the ideal conditions for a seed to grow, homework provides the ideal conditions for knowledge to grow.

Homework is the Passport to the Land of Enlightenment:

Explanation: Homework is the ticket that grants students access to the world of knowledge and understanding. By completing homework, students are able to gain entry to a wealth of information and insights that would otherwise be closed off to them. This passport allows students to explore new ideas, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their understanding of the world. Example: Just as a passport allows travelers to visit new countries, homework allows students to visit new realms of knowledge.

Homework is the Rope Pulling You Up the Mountain of Learning:

Explanation: Homework is the lifeline that helps students climb the steep and challenging slope of learning. It provides students with the support and guidance they need to overcome obstacles and reach new heights of understanding. Just as a rope provides climbers with the assistance they need to ascend a mountain, homework provides students with the assistance they need to ascend the mountain of learning. Example: Just as a rope helps a climber reach the summit, homework helps a student reach the summit of understanding.

Study’s Stockpile:

Explanation: Homework is the storehouse where students can accumulate and preserve their knowledge and skills. By completing homework, students are able to build a reserve of information and abilities that they can draw upon in the future. This stockpile is essential for academic success and personal growth, providing students with the resources they need to tackle new challenges and pursue their goals. Example: Just as a stockpile provides a store of resources, homework provides a store of knowledge and skills.

Homework is the Key Unlocking the Door to Wisdom:

Explanation: Homework is the tool that allows students to unlock the door to a wealth of knowledge and insights. By completing homework, students are able to gain access to the treasures that lie within the realm of understanding. This key unlocks the door to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities, allowing students to broaden their horizons and expand their minds. Example: Just as a key unlocks a door, homework unlocks the door to wisdom.

Background Boost:

Explanation: Homework provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that they can build upon in the future. By completing homework, students are able to reinforce what they have learned in class and commit it to memory, creating a strong background that will support their future learning. This background boost gives students the confidence and competence they need to succeed in their studies and beyond. Example: Just as a background boosts an image, homework boosts a student’s knowledge and skills.

Absorb the School Day:

Explanation: Homework is the opportunity for students to fully absorb and digest the information they have learned during the school day. By completing homework, students are able to review and reflect on the material, allowing it to sink in and become a part of their long-term memory. This process of absorption helps students to retain the information and apply it in new and meaningful ways. Example: Just as a sponge absorbs water, homework allows students to absorb the lessons of the school day.

Homework is the Blueprint Sketching Out Your Educational Journey:

Explanation: Homework is the plan that maps out a student’s path to academic success. It provides students with a clear and concise roadmap to understanding, allowing them to focus on the most important concepts and avoid getting lost in the details. By following this blueprint, students are able to make steady progres s towards their goals and achieve their full potential. Example: Just as a blueprint guides a builder, homework guides a student on their educational journey.

Ingredients to Prepare:

Explanation: Homework is the raw materials that students need to cook up a successful academic career. By completing homework, students are able to gather the information and skills they need to tackle more complex challenges and achieve their goals. These ingredients are essential for academic success, providing students with the fuel they need to power their learning and growth. Example: Just as ingredients are necessary for cooking, homework is necessary for academic success.

Homework is the Mirror Reflecting Your Academic Reflection:

Explanation: Homework provides students with a clear and accurate reflection of their academic progress. By completing homework, students are able to see where they stand in terms of their understanding and skills, and identify areas where they need to improve. This reflection allows students to make adjustments and take corrective action, helping them to stay on track and achieve their goals. Example: Just as a mirror reflects an image, homework reflects a student’s academic progress.

Material to Internalize:

Explanation: Homework is the means by which students can fully integrate and internalize the material they have learned in class. By completing homework, students are able to practice and reinforce what they have learned, committing it to memory and making it a part of their long-term knowledge base. This internalization process is essential for academic success, as it allows students to build a solid foundation of knowledge that they can draw upon in the future. Example: Just as a plant internalizes nutrients from the soil, homework allows students to internalize the material they have learned.

Homework is the Building Blocks of Your Educational Tower:

Explanation: Homework is the foundation upon which students can construct a towering edifice of knowledge and skills. By completing homework, students are able to build upon what they have learned in class, adding layer upon layer of understanding and ability. This educational tower is essential for academic success, providing students with the height and stability they need to reach their goals. Example: Just as building blocks are used to construct a tower, homework is used to construct an educational tower.

Homework is the Tune That Dances Through the Melody of Learning:

Explanation: Homework is the rhythm and flow that brings the learning process to life. By completing homework, students are able to engage with the material in a dynamic and interactive way, exploring its nuances and complexities. This tune adds depth and richness to the learning experience, making it more enjoyable and memorable for students. Example: Just as a tune brings a melody to life, homework brings the learning process to life.

Exercises to Keep Sharp:

Explanation: Homework is the practice that students need to stay sharp and maintain their academic edge. By completing homework, students are able to keep their skills and knowledge fresh and up-to-date, preventing them from becoming rusty or outdated. This regular practice is essential for academic success, as it helps students to stay focused and motivated, and prepares them for the challenges ahead. Example: Just as exercises keep a person physically fit, homework keeps a student academically fit.

Summary Table Of Metaphors For Homework

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of metaphor.

A metaphor is a rhetorical figure of speech that compares two subjects without the use of “like” or “as.” Metaphor is often confused with simile , which compares two subjects by connecting them with “like” or “as” (for example: “She’s fit as a fiddle”). While a simile states that one thing is like another, a metaphor asserts that one thing is the other, or is a substitute for the other thing.

A metaphor asserts a correlation or resemblance between two things that are otherwise unrelated. The English word “metaphor” originates from the Greek metaphorá, which means “to transfer” or “to carry over.” Indeed, a metaphor transfers meaning from one subject on to another so that the target subject can be understood in a new way.

Rhetoricians have further elaborated on the definition of metaphor by separating and naming the two key elements. There are a few different sets of names for these two parts: they can be called the “tenor” and the “vehicle”, the “ground” and the “figure”, or the “target” and the “source”. Consider this famous example of a metaphor from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”:

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.

In this example, the world is the primary subject, and it gains attributes from the stage (ie, from theater). Thus, in the binary pairs, the world is the “tenor,” the “ground,” and the “target,” while the stage is the “vehicle,” the “figure,” and the “source.”

Difference between Metaphor and Simile, and Other Types of Analogies

Metaphor is a type of analogy , which is a class of rhetorical figures of speech that creates comparisons between different objects. Other examples of analogies are similes, allegories, hyperboles, and puns. Here are the key differences between these different terms:

• Simile : As stated above, a simile posits a likeness or similarity between two things by connecting them with “like” or “as.” Since a metaphor asserts that one thing is, in fact, identical to another it is often considered a stronger form of analogy than a simile. For example, stating, “Frank is a pig” is a stronger statement of disgust than “Frank is like a pig.”
• Allegory : An allegory is a complete story that uses an extended metaphor throughout the entire story to illustrate complex ideas in a comprehensible way. George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is an allegory that uses the extended metaphor of animals starting a revolution on their farm to characterize the figures of the Russian Revolution.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole compares or describes things in an exaggerated way for the sake of emphasis. It is common, for example, to pronounce, “I’m starving” when one is merely hungry or “I’m freezing” when one is quite cold. The state of starvation is much more dire than mere hunger, and so we say we are starving to emphasize the need for food.
• Pun : Like metaphor, a pun uses comparison to create cognitive links between two things. The difference between the two terms is that a pun does so for comedic effect. For example: “I’m glad I know sign language, it’s pretty handy.” In this pun, the word “handy” refers both to the usefulness of sign language and also to the fact that sign language relies on the speakers’ hands.

Examples of Metaphor from Common Speech

Many common sayings are metaphors. Here are just a few examples:

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
• It was raining cats and dogs.
• Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
• People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• A watched pot never boils.

Significance of Metaphor in Literature

Metaphor is a key component of all forms of literature, including poetry, prose , and drama . This is not only because metaphor is a highly useful literary device, but also because it is such a vital part of all language and communication. Many cognitive theorists have researched and written about the importance of metaphor in the way we understand the world around us. For example, in western culture the phrase “time is money” is quite prevalent. This is not just a cliché, though; we talk about time in terms of wasting it, spending it, saving it, and so on. The metaphorical comparison of these two concepts ends up influencing the way people in cultures actually perceive time.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that there are examples of metaphor in literature from every culture. The use of metaphor allows authors to present unfamiliar ideas or situations in ways that the reader is able to comprehend by comparing unknown things to known things. This can be a good technique for fantasy writers or science fiction writers to make the worlds they create seem more familiar to the reader. Metaphors can also be used, however, to compare very common things to one another. This type of usage forges a cognitive link between previously unrelated objects and makes readers appreciate them in a new way.

Examples of Metaphor from Literature

ROMEO: But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

( Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)

As one of the most famous romances of all time, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet  has many often-quoted lines about love. In this line, Romeo uses the metaphor of Juliet being the rising sun to demonstrate his devotion. Sunrise can signify new hope, which is how Romeo views his relationship with Juliet. Furthermore, the planet revolves around the sun and Romeo feels that his world now revolves around Juliet.

He says, you have to study and learn so that you can make up your own mind about history and everything else but you can’t make up an empty mind. Stock your mind, stock your mind. You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.

( Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt)

Frank McCourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes is primarily about the poverty in which he grew up. This lovely excerpt, however, demonstrates how he was able to conceptualize his life as having a large amount of potential. Even though McCourt was poor, he could think of his mind as a palace and therefore have riches beyond belief available to him.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked… …who disappeared into the volcanoes of Mexico leaving behind nothing but the shadow of dungarees and the lava and ash of poetry scattered in fireplace Chicago.

(“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg)

Allen Ginsberg’s 1955 poem “Howl” contains hallucinatory images and wild descriptions. In this particularly vivid excerpt, Ginsberg slides from the imagery of Mexican volcanoes to the “lava and ash of poetry” left behind in fireplaces. The unexpected juxtaposition of these two images is a good example of how metaphor can work to broaden a reader’s conceptual base for a concept, in this case about poetry.

Test Your Knowledge of Metaphor

1. What is the correct metaphor definition? A. A comparison between two things for comedic effect. B. A comparison between two things using “like” or “as”. C. A comparison between two things that states one thing is the other thing.

2. Why is the following excerpt from Robert Frost’s “After Apple Picking” a metaphor example?

…there may be two or three Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples; I am drowsing off. I have had too much Of apple-picking; I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired.

A. The speaker in the poem is thinking of the apples that have gone to waste and wishing that he had picked those apples as well. B. The speaker in the poem is comparing the work of apple picking to life itself and feeling that, at the end of his life, he is ready to rest/pass away rather than keep working. C. The speaker in the poem wishes he had more energy for apple picking.

3. Which of the following lines from Shakespeare’s “ Sonnet 18” contains a metaphor?

A.  “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” B.  “But thy eternal summer shall not fade” C.  “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see”  

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55+ Metaphor Examples, Plus Clever Ideas To Teach Them

A metaphor is a hidden key.

Writers use figurative language like metaphors to bring their writing to life. But what exactly is a metaphor (and how is it different from a simile)? Learn more about this literary device, and get metaphor examples and teaching ideas for your students.

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a literary device that draws a comparison between two otherwise unrelated things. It’s used to make an idea more relatable to the reader, or to evoke an emotional response. Metaphors often use hyperbole, or exaggerated language, to paint a vivid picture.

• Example: Today’s history exam was a total nightmare.

Metaphors are examples of figurative language, where the words are meaningful but not strictly true. In the above example, the speaker doesn’t mean that they fell asleep during their exam and had a nightmare. Instead, they’re drawing a comparison between the two to help the reader understand how terrible the experience was.

Metaphor vs. Analogy

Metaphors are similar to another literary device, the analogy. However, a metaphor is used to evoke feeling and emotion. A writer uses an analogy to help the reader draw a logical conclusion. If you’re trying to figure out if a phrase is a metaphor or an analogy, ask whether it’s meant to provoke an emotional reaction or help a reader understand something through logic.

• Metaphor: Time is a remorseless river.
• Analogy: Time is like a rapid river, flowing remorselessly onward. Trying to swim upstream is futile; you must simply go where the currents take you.

Metaphor vs. Simile

To add to the confusion, similes are another type of figurative language comparison used as a literary device. In a simile, though, the writer uses the words “like” or “as” rather than making a direct comparison.

• Metaphor: The sound of her voice was music to their ears.
• Simile: Her voice was like music.

Learn more about similes here.

What are the different types of metaphors?

We can break metaphors down into specific types:

This is the most basic type of metaphor, in which the writer simply makes a stated comparison between two unrelated things.

• Standard metaphor example: Racism is a fatal disease for our society.

The direct comparison here is between racism and a disease, bluntly stated and easy to identify.

Implied: In an implied metaphor, the writer is more subtle, using imagery to evoke the comparison between two things.

• Implied metaphor example: It was time for Elijah to spread his wings and fly.

By using language about wings and flying, the author implies a metaphor between Elijah and a bird.

In a visual metaphor, an image replaces or reinforces the words. This classic public service announcement from the 1980s is an excellent visual metaphor example:

As the name implies, an extended metaphor is more than just one sentence. It can be a series of lines in poetry, or a theme carried through paragraphs (or an entire book) in prose. Analogies can seem like extended metaphors, but remember that analogies are meant to help the reader draw logical conclusions, while metaphors provoke an emotional response.

• Extended metaphor example: “The dim attic was a forgotten lifetime. Cobwebs in the corners were shadowy memories, and rusty locked trunks held the passed years. A layer of soft dust lay over all, a blanket of lamented time gone by.”

Each sentence in this paragraph extends the metaphorical connection between the attic and a life lived long ago.

The term “dead metaphor” can be used in several ways, but it generally means a metaphorical expression that has lost its power over time. This might be because the original meaning of a word has changed or that it has fallen out of use. A dead metaphor can also be an overused cliche, one that we’ve all heard so often it no longer has much impact.

• Dead metaphor example: That remark was really beyond the pale.

You’ve probably heard this phrase, but do you know what it actually means? Many years ago, “the pale” referred to a wooden stake used to mark a boundary line. To say something was “beyond the pale” meant that it crossed an accepted boundary. This phrase is still used today, though few know what it actually means, making it a dead metaphor.

Mixed Metaphors

What about the phrase “mixed metaphors”? Once again, the clue is in the name: A mixed metaphor is when the writer or speaker mixes two comparisons into one metaphor, making things more confusing instead of clearer. Mixed metaphors are often combinations of well-known phrases.

• We’ll cross that bridge when the ball is in our court.

This sentence combines two common metaphors. The first, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” compares dealing with an issue or making a decision to crossing a bridge. The second, “The ball is in our court,” makes a connection between taking your turn in a ball game and dealing with an issue or a decision. Put together, the two frankly sound a little bit silly, so strong writers try to avoid mixing metaphors.

General Metaphor Examples

• Tom is the black sheep of his family.
• The vast parking lot was a Sahara under the relentless sun.
• As the children started to work, the classroom became a beehive of activity.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Time is a thief, stealing moments away before we know it.
• Her smile was a lighthouse, guiding him safely across the crowded room.
• Li’s anger was a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.
• Romance is the key to her heart.
• Olivia’s words were sharp daggers, cutting Jordan down to size.
• To Leslie, the vacant lot was a blank canvas, waiting to be turned into a beautiful park.
• Your bedroom is a pigsty—clean it up!
• A storm of emotions brewed deep inside, under Juan’s calm exterior.
• Life is a journey, so enjoy each step along the way.
• Her shrill laugh was nails on a chalkboard to me.
• Love is a rose, with sweet fragrance and sharp thorns.
• If I’m going to get all this work done on time, I’ll need to be a real machine today.
• With our boss out of town for the week, this place is a real circus.
• As she watched him sing, April’s face was an open book.
• Assad’s eyes were deep pools, drawing him in.
• Layla’s pride is her armor, protecting her from all attacks.

Metaphor Examples From Literature

• “I’m a riddle in nine syllables.” ( “Metaphors” by Sylvia Plath)
• “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” ( As You Like It by William Shakespeare)
• “Hope is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul.” ( “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson)
• “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” ( Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)
• “Her mouth was a fountain of delight.” ( The Storm by Kate Chopin)
• “Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.” ( Speak by Laurie Anderson)
• “The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed: It was past eight thirty and still light.”( The Fault in Our Stars by John Green)
• “Light the first page, light the second page. Each becomes a black butterfly. Beautiful, eh?” ( Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
• “He glanced out the rear window at the iron centipede of traffic.” ( Sins of Two Fathers by Denis Hamill)
• “His grin is a large plastic comb of teeth.” ( Anagrams by Lorrie Moore)
• “Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” (“Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas
• “Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky.” ( Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran)
• “Time rises and rises, and when it reaches the level of your eyes you drown.” ( The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood)
• “Fame is a bee / It has a song— / It has a sting— / Ah, too, it has a wing.” (“Fame Is a Bee” by Emily Dickinson)
• “Middle C is the belly button of the piano.” ( I Could Tell You Stories by Patricia Hampl)

Metaphor Examples From Songs

• “Baby, you’re a firework! Come on, let your colors burst.” (“Firework” by Katy Perry)
• “Love is a battlefield.” (“Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar)
• “Life is a highway. I wanna ride it all night long.” (“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane)
• “You are the sunshine of my life.” (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder)
• “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time.” (“Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley)
• “I’m the sunshine in your hair / I’m the shadow on the ground.” (“I’m Already There” by Lonestar)
• “I’m the satellite, and you’re the sky.” (“Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon)
• “My heart’s a stereo / It beats for you so listen close.” (“Stereo Hearts” by Maroon 5)
• “You are the thunder and I am the lightning.” (“Naturally” by Selena Gomez)
• “I’m a hot-air balloon that could go to space.” (“Happy” by Pharrell Williams)
• “My lover’s got humor / She’s the giggle at a funeral.” (“Take Me to Church” by Hozier)
• “All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.” (“Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd)
• “And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger.” (“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor)
• “I got that sunshine in my pocket.” (“Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake)
• “You’re my kryptonite / You keep making me weak.” (“One Thing” by One Direction)

How To Teach Metaphors

In addition to sharing metaphor examples with students, try these smart teaching ideas.

Write paint chip poetry

Kids will love this creative activity where they write color metaphors on paint chip samples. Hang a bulletin board full of them, and you’ll have a vivid metaphor display for the classroom!

Learn more: Paint Chip Poetry via Fabulous in Fifth

Mix and match similes and metaphors

This split-page book is so much fun for kids to make, and it gives them practice with figurative language like metaphors, similes, and more.

Learn more: Mix-and-Match Metaphors via Teaching in Room 6

Take the metaphor challenge

This one is great for middle or high school, since it can be a bit tough. Each student draws a slip of paper with a random word or phrase on it. Then they partner up and try to create a metaphor that links their two words together.

Learn more: Metaphor Challenge via Learning in Room 213

What are your favorite metaphor examples to use in the classroom? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 75+ appealing alliteration examples (plus teaching ideas) ..

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Metaphor Definition

What is metaphor? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor can be stated explicitly, as in the sentence "Love is a battlefield." Other times, the writer may make this equation between two things implicitly , as in, "He was wounded by love." The comparisons created by metaphor are not meant to be taken literally. Rather, metaphors are figurative —they create meaning beyond the literal meanings of their words. For instance, these examples are, of course, not saying that love is actually a field of battle or that the person actually got a physical injury from love. Instead, they capture how love can be painful, a struggle, even a showdown between opponents, and—as many good metaphors do—through their comparison they make description more vivid, more relatable, or reveal new ways of seeing the world.

Some additional key details about metaphor:

• Metaphor is one of the most common figures of speech , used by writers throughout history and across the world. They are common in everyday speech and all forms of writing, from narrative fiction, to poetry, to persuasive writing.
• Metaphor is a type of analogy : a comparison between two things or ideas. Take a look at the entry that covers analogy to learn more about the difference between analogy and metaphor.
• There are actually two accepted definitions of metaphor: one that's quite broad, and one that's more specific. The broader definition includes any type of comparison or association, and includes under its umbrella other figures of speech, such as simile . The other, more narrow definition is the one we focus on in this entry, and is limited to figures of speech that state one thing is the other.

Metaphor Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce metaphor: met -uh-fore

The Anatomy of a Metaphor

Metaphors can be broken down into two elements: a tenor and a vehicle.

• The tenor is the thing a metaphor describes.
• The vehicle is the thing to which the tenor is compared.

For instance, in the metaphor " Love is a battlefield ," love is the tenor because it's the thing being described, while "battlefield" is the vehicle because it's the thing love is being compared to. The metaphor operates by borrowing key attributes from the vehicle and ascribing them to the tenor: love is violent, brutal, life-threatening.

A strong metaphor is one in which the attributes shared by the vehicle and the tenor are clear without further explanation. For example, "she's a gem" is a widely used metaphor whose meaning would probably be pretty clear even if we hadn't all heard it a thousand times: it's a way of saying someone is precious, treasured, lovely. "He's a peanut butter sandwich," on the other hand, is a pretty mystifying statement, since the vehicle—a peanut butter sandwich?—doesn't immediately call to mind any particularly vivid qualities or adjectives, let alone adjectives that would be used to describe a person. As a result, a weak metaphor such as this one leaves the mind searching for a basis of comparison between the tenor and the vehicle: is he... sticky? Unappetizing? A perfect combination of two things?

Types of Metaphors

There are a handful of varieties of metaphor that fall under the larger umbrella of "metaphor." Here are a few important ones:

• Conventional Metaphors are just what they sound like: metaphors that have become such a common part of speech that they no longer call attention to their status as metaphors. For instance, when we say that someone is an expert in his or her "field," field is a conventional metaphor for "area of study" or "profession," because it's been used so frequently that we don't even realize we're referencing a physical field. Some sources say that when a conventional metaphor has completely lost its "effectiveness" or ability to influence thought, it becomes a Dead Metaphor. The concept of "dead metaphors" is controversial however, because many people argue that simply because something becomes unconscious, doesn't mean it's dead.
• Creative Metaphors, in contrast to conventional metaphors, are novel comparisons that draw attention to their status as metaphors. The following Rita Rudner quote is a creative metaphor: "Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love. I'd stepped in it a few times." Rudner, here, is twisting and playing with the metaphor "falling love" to emphasize the fact that it is a metaphor, and then she's creating a new metaphor all her own. (Of course, she's a comedian so she's also doing it to get laughs.)
• Mixed Metaphor is a combination of two or more incongruous comparisons. These can occur accidentally, or a writer may string incompatible metaphors together for comedic effect. For example, the mixed metaphor, "He was born with a silver foot in his mouth" combines the metaphors "To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" (meaning: to be born privileged) and "To put one's foot in one's mouth" (meaning: to say something embarrassing) to create a puzzlingly humorous hybrid. Mixed metaphor is often referred to as catachresis.
• "In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note..."
• Absolute metaphors are metaphors in which the tenor can't be distinguished from the vehicle. In other words, the content of the metaphor can't be stated explicitly, because the only way to express the content is through the metaphor itself. An example would be "Life is a journey." We're constantly equating life with a journey, often without realizing it, when we say things like "That kid is off to a good start" or "He's taken the road less travelled," because so much of life is unknown: we have no other way in our language to explain the complex, all-encompassing experience that life is. As a result, this metaphor starts to actually shape the way we see life, and the comparison it makes becomes a truth that's impossible to express without the metaphor itself.

These are the most common varieties of metaphor. Here's a great resource with information about still more types of metaphors.

The Debate Over Metaphor's Meaning

There are actually two accepted definitions of metaphor—one that's quite broad and one that's more specific—and people commonly confuse the two without even noticing, so it follows that there is some debate over which definition is correct . The truth is, both definitions are correct, and for that reason it's useful to have a solid understanding of both, as well as what makes them different. These are the two definitions given in the Oxford Companion to English Language —the first one broad, the other narrow:

• Metaphor: All figures of speech that achieve their effect through association, comparison, and resemblance. Figures like antithesis , hyperbole , metonymy , and simile are all species of metaphor.
• Metaphor: A figure of speech which concisely compares two things by saying that one is the other.

This entry focuses on the second, narrower definition of metaphor. To read more about the broader definition of metaphor, it may help to take a look at the entry on analogy —another broad category that encompasses many of the same figures of speech as the broader definition of metaphor.

Metaphor vs. Simile

Of all the different kinds of figures of speech that fit under the broader definition of metaphor (described above), simile is the one that is most often confused with the more specific definition of metaphor that we cover in this entry, since both simile and metaphor are figures of speech that involve the comparison of unlike things. However, simile and metaphor do not make comparisons in the same way. The most obvious difference between simile and metaphor can be summed up this way:

• Similes use the words "like" or "as" to establish their comparison: "The world is like your oyster."
• Metaphors state the comparison without such connecting words: "The world is your oyster."

While the presence of a connecting word, such as "like" or "as," is generally a good rule of thumb to identify similes versus metaphors, it doesn't get at the root of the difference between these two figures of speech. A deeper way to understand the difference is through the nature of the comparison each one makes:

• A simile makes an explicit comparison by asserting that two different things are similar . A simile sets thing A and thing B side by side to compare them. In the sentence "The world is like your oyster," the listener is asked to mentally visualize and compare "the world" and "an oyster"—as though he or she were holding one in each hand—and draw a comparison between the two.
• A metaphor asserts an implicit comparison by stating that one thing is the other thing . Instead of setting two entities A and B side by side through the use of connecting words, metaphor superimposes them. The metaphor "The world is your oyster" asks the reader to imagine his or her relationship to the world as being the relationship of an oyster to the space inside its shell.

This isn't to say that either a simile or metaphor is stronger or better than the other, just that they are subtly different in the sort of comparison they create, and this difference affects how a reader imaginatively interacts with the text.

Metaphor Examples

Examples of metaphor in literature.

Mastering the art of metaphor is essential to writing vivid, relatable poetry and prose. Furthermore, understanding a writer's use of metaphor will enable you to better understand the specific themes that run throughout works of literature.

Metaphor in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an ambitious young man from a poor background, and his pursuit of the wealthy, aristocratic Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby eventually amasses a fortune large enough to purchase a mansion across the water from Daisy's estate on Long Island, New York. Throughout the novel, Gatsby gazes longingly at the green light that shines from the end of Daisy's dock, and this light becomes a symbol for Gatsby's yearning for the unattainable Daisy. Fitzgerald concludes the novel by adding a further layer of meaning to the metaphor of the Green Light:

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And then one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Here, the green light isn't simply a symbol for Daisy, but a metaphor for the "orgastic future that year by year recedes before us,"—for the ultimate, unattainable, and perhaps even unknowable goal of each individual's ambition. This use of metaphor is a bit subtler than an "X is Y" construction such as "she's a gem," since Fitzgerald never explicitly states that the green light is anything. Instead, he uses a comma to equate the green light with the "orgastic future" that he then describes in detail. He then broadens and extends the metaphor even further by introducing the image of "boats [beating on] against the current" to describe all people who pursue such a future, seeming to suggest that everyone experiences some version of Gatsby's struggle toward the "green light."

Metaphor in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Romeo uses the following metaphor in Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet , after sneaking into Juliet's garden and catching a glimpse of her on her balcony:

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun not only to describe how radiantly beautiful she is, but also to convey the full extent of her power over him. He's so taken with Juliet that her appearances and disappearances affect him like those of the sun. His life "revolves" around Juliet like the earth orbits the sun. The rest of the passage, which we haven't included here, is also an example of extended metaphor—since Romeo continues to speak about Juliet as though she were the sun throughout his brief monologue.

Metaphor in James Joyces' Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a bildungsroman — a novel that follows the journey of a young protagonist from childhood to adulthood. In Portrait, Joyce describes the growth and maturation of Stephen Daedalus, a young boy growing up in an impoverished Irish-Catholic household who ultimately aspires to become a writer. In Chapter 5, Stephen composes the following love poem (a villanelle ) to his beloved Emma Clery (whom he actually barely knows and seldom sees):

Are you not weary of ardent ways, Lure of the fallen seraphim? Tell no more of enchanted days. Your eyes have set man's heart ablaze And you have had your will of him. Are you not weary of ardent ways? Above the flame the smoke of praise Goes up from ocean rim to rim. Tell no more of enchanted days. Our broken cries and mournful lays Rise in one eucharistic hymn. Are you not weary of ardent ways? While sacrificing hands upraise The chalice flowing to the brim, Tell no more of enchanted days. And still you hold our longing gaze With languorous look and lavish limb! Are you not weary of ardent ways? Tell no more of enchanted days.

Stephen's expression of love is full of metaphors—he likens his lovestruck heart to a "blaze," and his words of praise to "smoke." The "chalice flowing to the brim" is similarly a metaphor for the strength of Stephen's feeling—which, in the context of the novel, might be either religious or sexual in nature.

Metaphors occur frequently in love poems such as this, one reason being that the lover or narrator seeks to express the singular, unique experience of love in terms that the reader can relate to. For instance, in the example above from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare—through Romeo—compares Juliet to the sun, in part because he recognizes that most readers are familiar with the sun's awe-inspiring beauty, and therefore will be better able to imagine Romeo's profound admiration for Juliet through this metaphorical comparison.

However, the use of metaphors can sometimes cover up lack of knowledge about something, and this is particularly relevant to Stephen's poem. Stephen wrote his romantic villanelle to a woman he barely knows and hasn't seen for ten years. His somewhat cliché metaphor comparing love to a "heart ablaze" emitting "smoke of praise" may be interpreted not only as the first attempt of a young poet, but also as an indication that Stephen fully understands neither the woman to whom his poem is addressed, nor the complexity of his own feelings.

Metaphor in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle

The title " Cat's Cradle " refers to a children's game in which the player makes an intricate pattern of X's by weaving a piece of string between his or her fingers. It also functions as an important metaphor in Vonnegut's novel, which follows the attempts of a nameless writer to research Dr. Felix Hoenikker: a scientist who (in the story in the book) helped invent the atomic bomb. The writer reaches out to Hoenikker's son, Newt, who tells him that on the day the Americans dropped the bomb—Dr. Hoenikker's invention—on Hiroshima, his father attempted to play cat's cradle with him. For some inexplicable reason, the game terrified Newt. The adult Newt explains:

"For maybe a hundred thousand years or more, grownups have been waving tangles of string in their children's faces... No wonder kids grow up crazy. A cat's cradle is nothing but a bunch of X's between somebody's hands, and little kids look and look and look at all those X's... No damn cat, and no damn cradle."

It's clear that even as an adult, cat's cradle retains a special significance for Newt: his father used the game as a diversion, lacking in substance and meaning, to distract himself and his son from the terrible reality of the bomb. Later on in the novel, Newt discovers that his sister, Angela, is abused by her husband. Referencing the way Angela hides her unhappiness and lies about her husband's behavior, Newt asks, "See the cat? See the cradle?" In doing so, he compares Angela's efforts to hide her husband's violence to their father's efforts to hide his own acts of violence (using cat's cradle as a distraction). Newt insightfully connects children's games to the games adults play with themselves. In short, cats cradle becomes an elaborate metaphor for evading the truth, and the way that people then become trapped and entangled in those evasions.

Examples of Metaphor in Song Lyrics

Metaphorical comparisons often make language more memorable and more powerful, and can capture and make vivid emotions and feelings in profound, new, arresting, and often concise ways. It's no wonder, then, that musicians across genres regularly use metaphor in their song lyrics.

Metaphor in Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield"

In her most famous song, released on the album Live from Earth in 1983, Benatar compares love—in its dangerousness and its power—to a battlefield:

When I'm losing control Will you turn me away Or touch me deep inside And when all this gets old Will it still feel the same There's no way this will die But if we get much closer I could lose control And if your heart surrenders You'll need me to hold We are young Heartache to heartache we stand No promises No demands Love is a battlefield

Metaphor in Katy Perry's "Firework"

In "Firework" ( Teenage Dream , 2010), Perry uses extended metaphor to compare a firework to her lover's inner "spark" of resilience which, in the context of the song, stands in opposition to the dreary experience of life and the difficulty of communicating with others:

Do you know that there's still a chance for you? 'Cause there's a spark in you You just gotta ignite the light And let it shine Just own the night Like the Fourth of July 'Cause baby, you're a firework C'mon, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go "Aah, aah, aah" As you shoot across the sky Baby, you're a firework C'mon, let your colors burst Make 'em go, "Aah, aah, aah" You're gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

Metaphor in The Eagles' "Life in the Fast Lane"

In the title phrase "Life in the Fast Lane" ( Hotel California , 1976), "the Fast Lane" is a metaphor for a lawless, limitless, risky mindset. If you live life in the Fast Lane, it means that you are edgy, daring, and impulsive, like the couple described in the song:

Life in the fast lane, surely make you lose your mind Life in the fast lane Life in the fast lane, everything all the time Life in the fast lane Blowin' and burnin' blinded by thirst They didn't see the stop sign; Took a turn for the worse She said, "Listen, baby. You can hear the engine ring. We've been up and down this highway; haven't seen a god-damn thing." He said, "Call the doctor. I think I'm gonna crash." "The doctor say he's coming but you gotta pay in cash." They were rushing down that freeway; Messed around and got lost They didn't care they were just dyin' to get off.

The Eagles extend the metaphor of "the fast lane" into the verse following the chorus: the "stop sign" and "engine ring" are metaphors for warning signs suggesting the couple's way of living is unsustainable.

Why Do Writers Use Metaphor?

Writers, and people in general, use metaphors for countless reasons:

• They create memorable images with language.
• They help communicate personal or imaginary experiences in terms to which readers can relate.
• By connecting different spheres of experience and language, they can lead the reader to surprising and important discoveries; the figurative meaning that metaphors create can help a reader to see the world or a concept in a new way.
• They can even sometimes hide a person's lack of knowledge about the things they're discussing.

It should be noted that metaphors aren't merely additive —in other words, they aren't just meant to embellish language or "spice it up." Metaphors actually shape our understanding of the relationships between things in the world. Without even knowing it, we constantly speak and think in metaphors.

Other Helpful Metaphor Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Metaphor: An in-depth explanation of metaphor, its history, and how it relates to other figures of speech.
• The Dictionary Definition of Metaphor: A basic definition and etymology of the term—it comes from the Greek metaphora, meaning "a transfer."
• 99 Metaphors for Love: ThoughtCo's compendium of 99 love metaphors that span genres and centuries.
• A very worthwhile, very 1980s music video of Pat Benatar singing her metaphorically-titled song "Love is a Battlefield."
• The opening scene of Disney's Aladdin, in which Jafar learns he must find the "diamond in the rough"—a metaphorical riddle, the answer to which is Aladdin himself: a "gem" amongst the low-class riffraff.

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Metaphor Worksheets

A metaphor is one kind of figurative language, as shown in our metaphor worksheets. These metaphor worksheets will help students explore the difference between similes and metaphors. These metaphor worksheets will teach students to identify metaphors, use metaphors in writing and distinguish between metaphors and similes. Each of the metaphor worksheets are free to duplicate for home or classroom use.

Helpful Definitions and Examples

Metaphor Examples What is a Metaphor?

Metaphor Printable Worksheet Activities

Metaphor and simile: about you.

In this worksheet your student will write metaphors and similes about himself.

Metaphor Hunt

Students underline all the metaphors in this brief story called, “The Haircut”.

Metaphor Meanings

Students read each sentence and tell what each metaphor is comparing.

Metaphors and Similes in Shakespeare: Explain the Meaning

This worksheet features a variety of metaphors and similes from Shakespeare for your student to anaylze.

Metaphors and Similes: Explain the Meaning

Your student is asked to explain the meanings of these metaphors and similes in this worksheet.

Metaphors Compare Things

Students underline the metaphor and circle the people or objects that the metaphor is being used to compare.

Mixed Metaphors!

Metaphors are great, until they get mixed up!

Using Metaphors

Students read each sentence and re-write it using a metaphor.

Warm Up to Metaphors!

The job was a breeze. Casey is a night owl. These are examples of metaphors. Print out this free worksheet and have your students identify the metaphors as well as come up with their own.

What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor worksheet that prompts students read each sentence and explain what the metaphor compares

Which Is It? Metaphor or Simile?

Your student will decide which is a metaphor and which is a simile in this worksheet.

Write a Christmas Metaphor or Simile

Similes are fun to write, especially in this Christmas themed worksheet! Along with similes, students will also write a sentence using metaphors.

Figurative Language: What Is It?

This multiple choice worksheet asks your student to identify the type of figurative language used in the sentence or phrase.

Working with Figurative Language

In this worksheet your student will match up the figures of speech with the phrase or sentence.

A Visit From St. Nicholas Figurative Language Activity

In this worksheet about the famous Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” your student will find the similes and metaphors.

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What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that denotes a certain object or idea is applied to another word or phrase to imply some similarity between them.

• A refrigerator is very cold. In this example, “refrigerator” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the inside of the car” to imply that the inside of the car was very cold.

• A bottomless pit can never be filled. In this example, “bottomless pit” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the teenage boy’s stomach” to imply that his appetite could never be satisfied (that is, his stomach could never be filled).

Why Use a Metaphor?

Speakers and writers use metaphors for several reasons:

• Metaphors can help readers or listeners to better understand something about the object or idea to which the metaphor is being applied.
• Metaphors can make speaking and writing more lively and interesting.
• Metaphors can communicate a great deal of meaning with just a word or a phrase.
• Metaphors, because they imply rather than directly state relationships, can get listeners and readers to think about what they are hearing or reading.

Some More Metaphors

Depending on what you are trying to communicate when writing or speaking, just about any word or phrase can be used as a metaphor. Here are some sentences in which a metaphor is used. In each sentence, the metaphor appears in bold print. What the metaphor implies is shown after each sentence.

• The teacher got to the bottom of the problem. (This implies that the teacher got to the source of the problem.)
• My dad was boiling mad . (This implies that my dad was very, very angry.)
• His idea was difficult to swallow . (This implies that his idea was hard to accept.)
• The homework was a breeze . (This implies that the homework was very easy to do.)
• They showered the birthday girl with gifts. (This implies that they gave the girl many gifts.)
• My memory of the event is foggy . (This implies that my memory of what happened was unclear.)
• Her dog, Jake, was the sunshine of her life. (This implies that Jake was the brightest or best part of her life.)
• Mary stole the spotlight with her performance. (This implies that Mary’s performance made her the center of attention.)
• If I were you, I would steer clear of that topic. (This implies that you should stay away from that topic.)
• After graduating from college, William decided to market himself as a computer specialist. (This implies that William decided to present himself as a computer specialist when looking for a job.)
• Alice was thrilled when her idea began to bear fruit . (This implies that Alice’s idea produced results.)
• I knew he was just joking because I could see a smile sprouting from the edges of his lips. (This implies that a smile was forming and growing.)
• Helen and Maria hatched a plan to help Maria become president of her class. (This implies that Helen and Maria came up with a plan.)
• Each year, a new crop of students entered Harrison High School. (This implies that each year a new group of students entered whose skills and abilities would grow during their years at Harrison.)
• The suspect clammed up when the police began to ask him questions about where he had been the night of the crime. (This implies that the suspect shut his mouth and said nothing.)

A Strategy for Using Metaphors

• Identify what it is you want to communicate about that object or idea. You want to bring out how beautiful the sunset is.
• Identify another object or idea that strongly implies what you want to communicate. You decide that the idea of “painted” would be a good way to communicate the beauty of the sunset.
• Construct a sentence in which you link the idea of painted with sunset. For example, you could write or say, “The sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors.”

Congratulations! You have just used painted as a metaphor.

Using metaphors when you write and speak will allow you to communicate more effectively and in a more interesting way.

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Similes and Metaphors worksheets

Subject: English

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

9 August 2023

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Free worksheets focused on figurative language.

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Figurative Language (Simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration)

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Nice range of activities. Thanks for sharing.

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I used this for my lower ability Year 9 group. Great resource.

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23 Metaphors about School and Education that Pop!

Metaphors about school and education include: (1) Education is the key to new worlds. (2) School is a vaccine for ignorance. (3) Education is the ticket to prosperity. (4) Education sheds light on dark places. (5) School is a dystopia.

Read the rest of the metaphors below!

Metaphors about education and schooling help us understand why it is important to our lives. Some negative education metaphors may also help us explain things we don’t like about school.

Metaphors about school are also useful for explaining why people should go to or stay in school.

Check out these 23 education and school metaphors for some ideas.

Related: 29 Inspiring Metaphors about Learning

Inspiring Metaphors for Education

1. education unlocks doors to new worlds..

This metaphor doesn’t involve single steps or long, hard pathways. Instead, this metaphor refers to learning as a way of accessing new opportunities. Through education, we have increased access to opportunities that were ‘locked’ to use beforehand.

2. Education sheds new light on dark spaces.

The idea of education ‘shedding light’ evokes imagery of people walking around in the dark. The learner has a flashlight and they can shine it around their space, getting a better understanding and appreciation of their ‘world’.

3. Education opens up new horizons.

Travelers ‘open up new horizons’ when they travel over a hill and see new things on the distant horizon that’s now in view. In education, this means that a learner learns something new and now they can understand things that wouldn’t have been able to understand before.

Related Article: 7 Best Tennis Metaphors, Sayings, Slogans & Idioms

4. Education is the bridge between the present and the future.

We spend most of the first 20 years of our lives in education. During this time, we’re learning things that we use to create the society of tomorrow. Without education, we can’t created a better tomorrow.

5. Education is a ticket to prosperity.

A ticket is often used to get someone into an exclusive or costly place. A ticket is needed to get into a concert, onto an airplane, on a bus, and so on. So, calling education a ‘ticket to prosperity’ means that education is important in order to achieve prosperity (wealth) in the future. Of course, education is necessary for many well-paid jobs or creating a smarter, better economy for tomorrow.

Read Also: 15 Best Metaphors For Crying Tears

6. Education is the key to success.

A key is required to open doors and, like a ticket, is needed to get you through exclusive doors into new (and more desirable) places. Education is one of the best ways to get you to success: career, financial and personal.

7. Education is a passport to new worlds.

You can take this one as literally as you like. Maybe education is your way of learning about new worlds (through studies of literature, history and geography). Or maybe those ‘new worlds’ are new opportunities like the chance to get a better job or to meet new people.

8. Education is hope.

Many people hold onto hope for a better life through education. While we might literally say education “gives” hope, to say education “is” hope is a metaphorical way of saying the same thing.

Related: 19 Metaphors about Teaching and Teachers

9. Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.

This old saying shows that education is valuable in both good times and bad. When you are on good times, you can point to your education as a reason for your prosperity. In bad times, you turn to your education as your hope for a better day. It could get you a better job, or even the skills to get yourself ahead.

10. Education is a marathon not a sprint.

This is a .metaphor you might use when someone is sick of studying for their next exam. It means that getting an education takes a long time and you need to pace yourself. You should look at the long game: slow and steady will prevent burnout and get you to the end eventually.

11. Education is the answer.

Education could be the answer to many things. It may be the answer to questions about how to ‘escape’ problems like poverty or a bad job. Or it may be the answer to a question about how to ‘get ahead’ or achieve self improvement. In fact, there are many well-documented lifelong effects of lack of education .

12. Education is the antidote to ignorance.

Education is a metaphorical antidote against misinformation and ignorance. It can protect people against lies and fake news and help us think critically about the things we read in the news.

13. Education is the root of success.

A root holds a tree in the ground so it can withstand strong winds and storms. It also delivers water and nutrients from the soil up into the tree to ensure it is alive and thriving. Similarly, education is the root of people’s success. It keeps us strong and stable by giving us the secure jobs of the future. It gives us the skills and knowledge that we need to succeed and thrive.

14. Education is the silver bullet.

We use the phrase ‘ silver bullet ’ to explain something that is the ultimate solution to a problem. In folklore , it was often only a silver bullet that could kill a werewolf or vampire. But in this metaphor, it means that education is the only thing that can solve our problems – such as climate change, democracy, corruption and poverty.

15. Education is the most powerful weapon.

This metaphor is similar to the ‘silver bullet’ metaphor. Education as a ‘weapon’ means that education is a very powerful thing. You might have also heard a similar phrase: ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’. Essentially, in the long run education will be more important than fighting wars because educated people are more powerful. They can invent things, generate wealth, and create a peaceful future.

Related: 12 Metaphors about Students

Metaphors about Schools

16. school is a dystopian world..

‘Dystopia’ is a word used to explain a world that is far worse than our own. Usually dystopian movies and books talk about a future world that has gone down hill due to climate change, invasion or dictatorships.

Some people might think of a school as a dystopian society. The teacher is a dictator and students have no chance to vote them out or disagree. The teacher will make decisions about what is done and said in the classroom. Students are forced to sit and follow instructions with minimal freedom or autonomy. Sounds horrible!

Related: 107 Adjectives to Describe Education

17. Schooling is a vaccine for violence.

In many societies, education is used as a way to decrease violence in a society. Children are sent to school in order to deter them from joining gangs or committing crimes. School is offered as an ‘alternative’ to criminal life, which is seen as a huge barrier to education . So long as children are given the chance to go to school, they have one other pathway away from a life of violence.

Similarly, when people go to school, they learn about values, ethics and compassion. This enables them to learn why violence is not a good choice in life.

18. School is a microcosm of society.

A microcosm is something that has miniature characteristics of something much larger. When we call school a microcosm of society, we look schools like little societies in themselves. There’s a principal (the president?), classrooms (suburbs?), nurses and administrators.

In some schools, students even have the chance of democratic education where they can be child citizens , having a vote on how their ‘mini society’ should be run.

19. School is a prison.

You might hear a child say this to their mother on their way home from a particularly bad day at school. To call school a prison is to refer to the lack of freedom children often feel at school. In most societies, children don’t have a choice: they’re forced to go to school every day, follow the rules of a dictator, enter rooms and exit rooms when bells ring, line up when they’re told to line up, and so on and so on. Not much freedom!

This is a metaphor that conforms to the behaviorist theory of education .

20. School is a treasure.

Schools are things societies covet as great institutions that deliver wealth, peace and happiness. Like something precious on your shelf at home that you point to and love, school is also a ‘treasure’. Societies that don’t have great school systems are envious of societies that do – because a quality school is something that a society needs in order to flourish.

Related: 273 Best Adjectives to Describe a Teacher

21. The school is the cornerstone of society.

A cornerstone is one of the most important stones when building a building. It literally is the first stone placed and is usually the biggest and strongest. In many ways, it holds the building up! So, when we call something a cornerstone, we are calling it something foundational and deeply important to the structural integrity of the whole.

School, we can say, is the cornerstone of society. Without schools, people won’t get the education they need, they won’t be able to read or count money or learn about the importance of democracy. So school is essential for keeping everything going!

22. Schools are the engines of growth.

You’ll often hear politicians use this phrase when running for office. This metaphor pictures the school as an ‘engine’ that drives an entire national economy. People are educated at school so that they have the skills and ability to build and grow businesses that will make money and jobs of the future.

23. My home is a classroom / library.

Some people feel very comfortable at school. They love to learn and broaden their horizons. So, for these people, they may say that school is their ‘home’. The place that’s your home is the place you feel most comfortable. It may be the place where you feel most yourself and are able to relax and enjoy yourself. Obviously, the person isn’t saying they actually live there – simply that it’s the place they feel most comfortable and happy.

Related: 83 Best Words to Describe a Student

Final Thoughts

Use the above metaphors however you like. You might want to share them with friends and colleagues, use them as a warm up activity in a college seminar, or use these phrases in your everyday life.

If you have any additional metaphors about school or education that you can add, please comment below. If I like your metaphor, I’ll add it to this list!

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

4 thoughts on “23 Metaphors about School and Education that Pop!”

Why do u call school a dystopian world?

Hey, it’s because many people would find it to be an unpleasant and dehumanizing experience – much like living in a dictatorship. Cheers – Chris.

EDUCATION IS THE ERASER FOR HUMAN ERRORS

Awesome metaphor! Thanks for sharing 🙂

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• Simile and Metaphor Worksheets

Similes and metaphors are related figurative language techniques . Both similes and metaphors draw comparisons between two or more things; however, there are some key differences between them. Similes always use the word like or the word as to make the comparison. Metaphors do not use the word like or as . Consequently, metaphors can be more implicit and harder to identify.

This is an example of a metaphor. The speaker is comparing her eyes to heaven, but this is not done explicitly. The comparison is implied. Here is the same example but turned into a simile.

This is an example of a simile. In this one the comparison is more explicit. It is easier to identify that the speaker is making a comparison.

The worksheets and activities on this page will give students laser focused practice (implicit metaphor BTW) to help them become simile and metaphor experts. These worksheets are available in a variety of formats: PDF files for printing exactly as I formatted these worksheets, RTF files for making changes before using them in your own classroom, and Ereading Worksheets for completing online on any Internet connected device.

I hope that these worksheets give students an adequate amount of practice with identifying similes and metaphors. I believe that they will. If your students need more practice with figurative language and poetic devices, I have many more activities on this website. Check some of the links below to find your next activity. Thanks for visiting!

Figurative Language Common Core State Standards

13 comments.

I love it ❤️ ♥️

Beth DeLano

How do I get the students’ grades if they do it online? I LOVE this!!

They have to send the results to you or print and save them and show you later.

The worksheets were amazing. My school told me this site for doing the revision of SIMILIES AND METAPHORS.

i can understand the whole thing and its cool!!

Carol (Cross) Howell

How can I download worksheets without downloading your download tools. I need to simply download without a third party app.

Espcially when it comes to answer pages Which come out very small.

You shouldn’t need to download any tools to download the worksheets.

What is happening when you try to download a worksheet?

You can print the answer keys just by pressing the print button or CTRL + P. They should print out as a full-sheet with no ads if everything is working correctly.

Alterately, I suppose you could download or save the image files of the answer keys.

Oh, also, clicking on the answer key will take you directly to the file where it should grow very large.

Salvador salido

The faces at the street crossing shine like a row of egg onpantry shelf

emma fugate

i love similes and metaphors!!!!!!!!!!!!

the last pdf link is broken!:(

it was an amazing time completing the worksheets and it was fun doing the online MCQ thanks navigation

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Homework! Oh, Homework!

 By Jack Prelutsky

Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink! I wish I could wash you away in the sink, if only a bomb would explode you to bits. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re giving me fits. I’d rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns. Homework! Oh, homework! You’re last on my list, I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink. Homework! Oh, homework! I hate you! You stink!

 Summary of Homework! Oh, Homework!

• Popularity of “Homework! Oh, Homework!”: The poem ‘Homework! Oh, Homework!’ was written by Jack Prelutsky, a well-known children’s poet. Its first publication dates back to 1999, and it is acclaimed for its exceptional composition that underscores the triviality of homework. The poem speaks about how mad homework can make students. The funny tone of the poem illustrates the speaker ’s disgust, hatred, and revulsion for homework. The poem gained immense popularity on account of its universal appeal. The exasperated yet humorous mood added further to its rhythm and melody.
• “Homework! Oh, Homework!” As a Representative of Hatred : This poem is written from a child’s perspective who expresses his feelings related to homework. It begins when the speaker shows extreme hatred for homework and wishes to wash it away in the sink or to explode it into pieces. He dislikes homework so much that in the poem, he’d prefer to take a bath with a man-eating shark or wrestle a lion in the dark instead.. He further informs his readers that homework is the last on his list. He would rather be happy if it gets disappeared from his to-do list.
• Major Themes in “Homework! Oh, Homework!” Hatred, student life, and homework revulsion are the major themes of the poem. The poem centers on the feelings of a student who has gone mad because of the study workload. Knowing it is a compulsion and the demand of his education, he desires to get rid of it. He hates homework so much that he would instead perform some insane and crazy actions rather than doing his homework. It is through this funny poetic piece, the poet sheds light on the problems students face during their student life.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Homework! Oh, Homework!

literary devices allow the writers to bring variety and color to their simple poetic pieces. Jack Prelutsky also made this poem worth read with the excessive use of these devices. The analysis used in this poem is analyzed below.

• Assonance : Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /o/ in “Homework! Oh, homework” and the sound of /oo/ in “would explode you to bits.”
• Alliteration : Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /h/ in “Homework! Oh, homework” and /p/ sound in “pet ten porcupines.”
• Apostrophe : An apostrophe is a device used to call somebody or something from afar. Here, the poet has used apostrophe to call homework a disgusting thing such as,

“Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink.”

• Consonance : Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /k/ in “than tackle the homework,” and the sound of /sh/ in “I wish I could wash you away in the sink.”
• Enjambment : It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break ; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example,

“I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink.”

• Hyperbole : Hyperbole is a device used to exaggerate any statement for the sake of emphasis. The writer used this device by comparing the homework more difficult even than wrestling with a lion or man eating shark.
• Irony : Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning differs from the actual meaning. The writer has used this device in the opening stanza of the poem while talking about the self-recognition, such as,

“ Homework! Oh, Homework! I hate you! You stink.”

• Imagery : Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “You’re last on my list”, “I wish I could wash you away in the sink” and “eat spinach and liver.”
• Metaphor : It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between the objects that are different. The poem shows the use of extended metaphors of homework, comparing it with several things that he hates the most in life.
• Personification : The poem shows the use of personification as the poet has personified homework, showing it having life and emotions of its own.
• Symbolism : Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from literal meanings. The poem shows the use of the symbols of “stink” and “giving me fits” as signs of anger and hatred.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Homework! Oh, Homework!

Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.

• Diction : The poem shows descriptive diction having metaphors, symbols, and hyperbole.
• Rhyme Scheme : The poem follows an ABCD rhyme scheme , and this pattern continues until the end.
• Repetition : There is a repetition of the verses “Homework! Oh, homework! /I hate you! You stink!” which have created a musical quality in the poem.
• Refrain : The lines occurring repeatedly at some distance in a poem are called a refrain . The verses, “Homework! Oh, homework! /I hate you! You stink!” are, therefore, a refrain.
• Stanza : A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. There are three stanzas in this poem, with each comprising a different number of verses.

Quotes to be Used

These lines are useful while talking about the things that one does not want to do intentionally.

“ You’re last on my list, I simply can’t see why you even exist, if you just disappeared it would tickle me pink.”

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• Lammas Hireling
• Love, a child, is ever crying
• Sometimes When it Rains
• Leda and the Swan
• The Rose That Grew from Concrete
• The Great Storm
• The Starry Night
• Act of Union
• Sonnet 16: But Wherefore Do Not You a Mightier Way
• Sweeney  Among The Nightingales
• My Son My Executioner
• Friendly Advice to a Lot of Young Men
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• I started Early — Took my Dog —
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• Decomposition
• As Kingfishers Catch Fire
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• The Rose That Blushes Rosy Red
• Meditation at Lagunitas
• pity this busy monster, manunkind
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art
• The Good Life
• The Lake Isle of Innisfree
• Of Mere Being
• Goosey Goosey Gander
• Pippa’s Song
• Christmas Bells
• The Lotos-Eaters

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17 Best Metaphors for Home (A to Z List)

A metaphor for home explains your feelings about your home by using figurative language.

Examples include:

• My home is my castle
• My home is a retreat

You’d need to think of something your home reminds you of: a zoo, a swamp, a castle, or a zen retreat. Then, you can say your home is a zoo (or a swamp or a classroom, or whatever!) in order to create the perfect metaphor to describe your home.

Below are 17 great examples to get your mind working.

List of Metaphors for Home

1. my home is my castle.

People say their home is their castle to create the sense that their home is the place where they’re the king.

There is no one there in your house who can tell you what to do (unless you’re a kid – then your parents are the king and queen of the castle!).

There is a popular Australian movie called The Castle that uses this metaphor in the title. The movie is about a family trying to save their home (their castle) from developers who are trying to forcibly take it off them.

2. My Home is a Warzone

If you said your home was a warzone, you might think it wasn’t a particularly nice place to be.

You might use this metaphor if your brother and sister just argued all day long.

Or, it might be used to express how dirty the home is. There is a similar popular simile that means the same thing: “my home looks like a bomb hit it”. This usually means that there is a mess all over the floor.

3. My Home is a Swamp

When you say your home is a swamp, you usually mean that it’s messy, dark, and maybe even a little smelly.

This was both literal and metaphorical in the movie Shrek where the ogre Shrek lived in a swamp. The story behind this is that ogres are usually thought of as being dirty, smelly, and unkept. So, a swamp is a perfect place for them to live.

If you have a brother or sister who’s bedroom is usually dark and smelly, you perhaps might call their bedroom a swamp, too!

4. My Home is a Retreat

A retreat is usually thought of as somewhere that’s relaxing and calm. You might go to a spa retreat or meditation retreat to escape from the world and get some relaxation.

So, if you referred to your home as a retreat, you would be saying that your home is a peaceful place to escape from the world belong. It sounds like the perfect place to go after school or work and feel comfortable and relaxed.

5. My Home is a Classroom

If your home was a classroom, you might imagine that you learned a lot around the house.

You might say this if you felt like you learned a lot during your summer break from school.

Your mother or father might have taught you a lot of dishes to cook or given you a lot of games to play to help your brain.

Similarly, if you are homeschooled or do schooling over the internet, then your home might both metaphorically and literally be a classroom!

6. My Home is a Workplace

You might say that your home is a workplace or an office if you or your parents seem to always be working from home.

People who work from home might have a big computer setup with large monitors, webcams, and microphones. They might also have filing cabinets and stacks of work-related folders lying around.

Before long, the divide between work and home is blurred, and you can even metaphorically call your home a workplace because they appear so similar.

7. My Home is a Zoo

You can imagine a mother of 3 or 4 children calling her home a zoo. Just like a zoo, her home has a lot of little creatures (okay, humans) running around doing their own thing.

One child might be working on a project on the floor, another one jumping on the couch, and another crying in the bedroom.

The mother has to handle all of these things, and is feeling like she’s trying to coordinate a zebra, giraffe, and elephant, to all work in unison!

8. My Home is a Prison

Someone who doesn’t like being at home might call it a prison. For example, a child who loves to be out playing on the streets but needs to be indoors by 5pm might come home and say:

“It’s a prison in here! I want to be out playing with my friends.”

Another person who might call their home a prison could be someone who feels like they’re sick of being at home on vacation and wants to go back to school. They don’t like the feeling every day of having to entertain themselves at home!

9. My Home is a Dump

To call your home a dump is to say that it’s a complete mess! It’s so messy that you think if you close one eye and squint, you might have thought you were at the dump yard.

Your mother might say this if they come home and see that you’ve left all your toys lying out. Or, it is a metaphor that could be used if you have just cooked a big messy meal and turned around to see that there is flour and vegetable scraps and plates and bowls all over the counter.

10. This Home is a Cinema!

Have you ever walked into someone’s living room and it’s felt like you walked into a move theater?

Their curtains black out light, their chairs all face the television, there’s surround sound speakers, and of course there’s an enormous flat screen TV on the wall!

You could be mistaken for being in a movie theater. So, you can use this metaphor! Sometimes a little bit of exaggeration creates the best metaphors.

11. My Home is a Safety Blanket

To say your home is a safety blanket is to relate it to the characteristics of safety blankets: they make you feel comforted, safe, and protected from the world.

Often, home is the place where we feel safest. We’re most comfortable there, which is why we have the idiom: “I feel right at home”.

12. My Home is a Vault

You can imagine someone who has just installed a brand new security system might say: my home is a vault! No one can get in except for me.

Here, they’re using comparison (that a vault is hard to get into, just like the home), but instead of saying like a vault, they’re saying is a vault, for literary effect.

13. My Home is a Christmas Tree

At Christmas time, a lot of families go to all sorts of lengths to have their house lit up from the outside. People drive around the neighborhoods to see the beautiful houses lit up.

So, you could imagine someone who has just put lights all over their house standing back, looking at it, and remarking: “my home is now a Christmas tree!”

Another time you might use this is if you drive up your driveway to your home and see that all the lights are on inside. You might walk in and say, “Why is my home a Christmas tree? We don’t need all these lights on!”

14. My Home is a Playground

You could imagine if you lived in a house with a lot of children that you might feel like you were in a playground at times.

People are sliding down the stairs, someone has a toy train set out, and someone else is playing with dolls on the front step.

You might walk through all the different scenes of people playing and say, “wow, my home has become a playground today!”

Metaphors Comparing things to Home

15. my office is my home these days.

If you were to say that your office was your home, you would be saying that you’re always at the office!

This is the exact opposite of the earlier metaphor saying that your home is a workplace. Then, you were talking about how the home had turned into a place of work.

Now, we’re talking about the place of work starting to feel like you’re home because you’re there so much.

16. I’m at Home in the Forest

People who love the outdoors might feel most at ease and happy when they’re outside in the forest.

Because most people feel most at ease at home, then you can make this comparison to show you’re the opposite of them. “I’m at home in the forest” uses those associations we have of home (comfort, relaxation) and apply them to the outdoors.

Related: Tree Metaphors

17. My Wife is my Home

There is a famous song with the line “Home is wherever I’m with you”. Here, we’re creating a metaphor by saying a person is our home.

This is to say that one person (your mother, father, wife, husband) is the person who makes you feel most comfortable and relaxed. Again, we’re applying the feelings of being at home (relaxation and comfort) to some other situation and achieving this by making a comparative metaphor.

Related: Relationship Metaphors

There are plenty of possible metaphors for home. The best metaphors come from the heart. You need to think about what home feels like to you. Compare your house to somewhere else where you also feel those feelings that you can feel every time you step in your front door – whether it’s relaxation, comfort, escape, or even boredom!

I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.