The beauty of metaphors

A metaphor is defined in the dictionary as a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance , in other words an implied comparison.

Some examples of metaphors are:
the apple of my eye
broken heart
rollercoaster of emotions
its raining men etc.

Metaphors allow us to think out of the box and compare one thing to another in a totally different context.  They help us to get a break from structured thinking and think visually or creatively.

In the above examples , ‘apple of my eye’ is used to refer to someone dear or adorable.  Similarly  ‘rollercoaster of emotions’ suggests mood swings like the ups and downs of a rollercoaster ride.

A metaphor allows us to weave our words and use creativity to convey a better understanding.  Instead of saying he is happy , when we say he is feeling above the moon – it signifies a feeling of being elated and excited.  Metaphors create impactful statements which remain in the mind of readers.   They make use of vivid imagery to convey to the reader a picture rather than a bland statement.

Other figures of speech like simile, hyperbole, alliteration etc also help us to add depth to the meaning of our words and create an impact on the reader.