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DictionarymetaphorFigurative comparison
noun

metaphor

MET-uh-for/ˈmetəfər/

An expression or representation that conveys an idea by presenting one thing as another.

Calling time money is a metaphor.

Show an actual written metaphor as a short language specimen in a notebook: “Time is money.” The sentence directly describes one thing as another without a literal transformation, explanatory caption, or speech bubble.
Etymology
metaGreekover, across
+phorGreekto carry, bear

A metaphor is literally a carrying across: a word or description is transferred from one thing to another. That transfer lets one thing be described as another through resemblance or analogy.

In context

Scene It2:14
every emotional moment boiled down to a financial metaphor for instance when Greg reveals a secret to Tom he describes it as a valuable piece of capital
why everyone on Succession talks so weird

More examples

  • Calling time a thief is a metaphor.
  • Her speech mixed several unrelated metaphors.
  • The empty cage became a visual metaphor for freedom.

Forms

metaphor · metaphors

metaphorical adjective — using an image instead of a literal meaning

Similar words

simile
An explicit comparison, often using like or as.
symbol
Can represent an idea without making a verbal comparison.