Interesting word is metaphor. And it is also called a figure of speech. Read any book, any newspaper, any magazine and as sure as eggs is eggs (that’s not a metaphor, it’s a simile) you just can’t help bumping into them. And that’s the point. When you use a metaphor, you are not comparing one word with another but you are stating that one word is another word. It’s like in a supermarket when you buy one and get one free. You could say - two for the price of one. Confused? Let me explain. If say - She really is a little mouse - I am not saying she IS a mouse but that she behaves like a little mouse. In other words she is very timid and very shy. Got it? Well, try to explain these metaphors in simple language -
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I told him that he is wasting money and his business is a dead duck.
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They refuse to buy any new equipment for their office and are complete dinosaurs.
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She is 6 years old and you have to admit she is a little angel.
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He helped us out when we had problems and is an absolute star.
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We were driving along a quiet road when this madman drove into us.
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You can’t possibly vote for that baboon in the General Election.
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We had a lovely holiday swimming in the lake. It was a perfect mill pond.
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He’s really rude when he’s angry and invariably barks at you if you make a mistake.
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Don’t believe all those stories about her. She’s a lamb really.
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He means well. He’s actually falling over backwards to help you.
What do you think these metaphors really mean?