metaphor
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++met·a·phor /ˈmetəfə, -fɔː $ -fɔːr/ ●●○ noun [countable, uncountable] 1 ALa way of describing something by referring to it as something different and suggesting that it has similar qualities to that thing 隐喻，暗喻 → simile She uses some wonderful images and metaphors in her writing. 她在作品中用了一些绝妙的比喻和暗喻。 a very creative use of metaphor 隐喻的独到运用► see thesaurus at language2. mixed metaphor ALthe use of two different metaphors at the same time to describe something, especially in a way that seems silly or funny 混杂隐喻〔指同时运用两个不同的隐喻描写某物，尤指显得可笑或滑稽〕3 SIGN/SYMBOLsomething that represents a general idea or quality 象征metaphor for Their relationship is a metaphor for the failure of communication in the modern world. 他们的关系象征现代社会中存在的沟通障碍。n COLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbsuse a metaphorTo use her own metaphor, she is a caged bird who wants to fly free.extend a metaphor (=to use other metaphors with a similar idea)The poem extends the metaphor of food still further.borrow a metaphor from something (=use a metaphor from another subject, book etc)To borrow an architectural metaphor, you cannot see the whole building if you focus on the individual bricks.adjectivesa powerful metaphor (=one that works very well)His election campaign used the powerful metaphor of ‘building a bridge to the next century’.a vivid metaphor (=one that gives you a picture in your mind)The book is full of vivid metaphors and powerful images.an appropriate/apt metaphor (=a very suitable one)Building on sand is an apt metaphor for the challenge we face.a central metaphor (=one that a poem or book is based around)The poet as something carried by the ocean is a central metaphor in the book.a mixed metaphor (=the use of two different metaphors at the same time to describe something, especially in a way that seems silly or funny)In a mixed metaphor, she said ‘he stepped up to the plate and took the bull by the horns.’a religious/military/biological etc metaphorHe uses a military metaphor to describe these women as ‘storming’ the castle of male power.
Examples from the Corpus
metaphor• That is not a metaphor, it is the plain truth.• The rule of thumb for making good use of a metaphor is to compare what is said with what is meant.• There are more ways than one in which a metaphor can mislead.• There are only so many metaphors any choreographer can come up with for anomie.• She was a caged bird, to use her own metaphor, that had to break free.• We use this metaphor to characterize local authorities' responses to care programming.• Through metaphor and symbolism, Thoreau discusses the importance of nature.• Think of the torturous metaphors and similes that the readers would be spared.• Various metaphors have illustrated this fact of spiritual life.Origin metaphor (1400-1500) French métaphore, from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from meta- ( → META-) + pherein “to carry”met·a·phor noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
describing referring way something to of something by Corpus it as a
metaphor
met‧a‧phor /ˈmetəfə, -fɔː $ -fɔːr/
noun [uncountable and countable]
She uses some wonderful images and metaphors in her writing.
a very creative use of metaphor
2. mixed metaphor the use of two different metaphors at the same time to describe something, especially in a way that seems silly or funny
3. something that represents a general idea or quality
metaphor for
Their relationship is a metaphor for the failure of communication in the modern world.
■ verbs
▪use a metaphor To use her own metaphor, she is a caged bird who wants to fly free.
▪extend a metaphor (=to use other metaphors with a similar idea) The poem extends the metaphor of food still further.
▪borrow a metaphor from something (=use a metaphor from another subject, book etc) To borrow an architectural metaphor, you cannot see the whole building if you focus on the individual bricks.
■ adjectives
▪a powerful metaphor (=one that works very well) His election campaign used the powerful metaphor of ‘building a bridge to the next century’.
▪a vivid metaphor (=one that gives you a picture in your mind) The book is full of vivid metaphors and powerful images.
▪an appropriate/apt metaphor (=a very suitable one) Building on sand is an apt metaphor for the challenge we face.
▪a central metaphor (=one that a poem or book is based around) The poet as something carried by the ocean is a central metaphor in the book.
▪a mixed metaphor (=the use of two different metaphors at the same time to describe something, especially in a way that seems silly or funny) In a mixed metaphor, she said ‘he stepped up to the plate and took the bull by the horns.’
▪a religious/military/biological etc metaphor He uses a military metaphor to describe these women as ‘storming’ the castle of male power.
■ techniques used in language
▪metaphor a way of describing something by referring to it as something different and suggesting that it has similar qualities to that thing: The beehive is a metaphor for human society.
▪simile an expression that describes something by comparing it with something else, using the words as or like, for example ‘as white as snow’: The poet uses the simile ‘soft like clay’.
▪irony the use of words that are the opposite of what you really mean, often in order to be amusing: ‘I’m so happy to hear that,’ he said, with more than a trace of irony in his voice.
▪bathos a sudden change from a subject that is beautiful, moral, or serious to something that is ordinary, silly, or not important: The play is too sentimental and full of bathos.
▪hyperbole a way of describing something by saying that it is much bigger, smaller, worse etc than it actually is – used especially to excite people’s feelings: In his speeches, he used a lot of hyperbole. | journalistic hyperbole
▪alliteration the use of several words together that all begin with the same sound, in order to make a special effect, especially in poetry: the alliteration of the ‘s’ sound in ‘sweet birds sang softly’
▪imagery the use of words to describe ideas or actions in a way that makes the reader connect the ideas with pictures in their mind: the use of water imagery in Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ | She uses the imagery of a bird’s song to represent eternal hope.
▪rhetorical question a question that you ask as a way of making a statement, without expecting an answer: When he said ‘how can these attitudes still exist in a civilized society?’, he was asking a rhetorical question.
met‧a‧phor /ˈmetəfə, -fɔː $ -fɔːr/
noun [uncountable and countable] Date: 1400-1500
Language: French
Origin: métaphore, from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from meta- ( ⇨ meta-) + pherein 'to carry'
1. a way of describing something by referring to it as something different and suggesting that it has similar qualities to that thing ⇨ simile:Language: French
Origin: métaphore, from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from meta- ( ⇨ meta-) + pherein 'to carry'
2. mixed metaphor the use of two different metaphors at the same time to describe something, especially in a way that seems silly or funny
3. something that represents a general idea or quality
metaphor for
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Being a writer 当作家
write/publish literature/poetry/fiction/a book/a story/a poem/a novel/a review/an autobiography写／发表文学作品／诗集／小说／书／故事／诗歌／长篇小说／评论／自传 become a writer/novelist/playwright成为作家／小说家／剧作家 find/have a publisher/an agent找到／有出版商／代理人 have a new book out出版一部新书 edit/revise/proofread a book/text/manuscript编辑／修订／校对书／文章／原稿 dedicate a book/poem to…把一本书／一首诗献给…
Plot, character and atmosphere 情节、人物和氛围
construct/create/weave/weave sth into a complex narrative构思／创作／编写／把某事编成一部复杂的叙事小说 advance/drive the plot推进故事情节的发展 introduce/present the protagonist/a character介绍主人公／一个人物 describe/depict/portray a character (as…)/(sb as) a hero/villain描述人物／英雄／坏蛋；把一个人物描绘成…；把某人描绘成英雄／坏蛋 create an exciting/a tense atmosphere营造一种令人兴奋／紧张的气氛 build/heighten the suspense/tension制造／增加悬念／紧张气氛 evoke/capture the pathos of the situation唤起对这种状况的同情 convey emotion/an idea/an impression/a sense of…传达…情感／思想；给人…印象／感觉 engage the reader吸引读者 seize/capture/grip the (reader's) imagination抓住（读者的）想象力 arouse/elicit emotion/sympathy (in the reader)唤起（读者的）情感／同情 lack imagination/emotion/structure/rhythm缺乏想象力／情感／精心组织／节奏感
Language, style and imagery 语言、风格和形象语言
use/employ language/imagery/humour/( humor/an image/a symbol/a metaphor/a deviceespecially
使用语言／形象语言／幽默／意象／象征／暗喻／手段 use/adopt/develop a style/technique使用／采用／形成一种风格／技巧 be rich in/be full of symbolism富含象征意义 evoke images of…/a sense of…/a feeling of…唤起…的形象／感觉 create/achieve an effect创造／取得效果 maintain/lighten the tone维持／缓和基调 introduce/develop an idea/a theme引入／发展一种思想／一个主题 inspire a novel/a poet/sb's work/sb's imagination促成小说的创作；给诗人以灵感；促成某人作品的诞生；激发某人的想象力
Reading and criticism 阅读与评论
read an author/sb's work/fiction/poetry/a text/a poem/a novel/a chapter/a passage读一个作家的作品／某人的著作／小说／诗集／一篇文章／一首诗／一部小说／一个章节／一段文章 review a book/a novel/sb's work评论一本书／一部小说／某人的作品 give sth/get/have/receive a good/bad review给予／得到好评／恶评 be hailed (as)/be recognized as a masterpiece被誉为一部杰作 quote a phrase/line/stanza/passage/author引用一个短语／一行诗／一节诗／一段文章／作者的话 provoke/spark discussion/criticism引发讨论／评论 study/interpret/understand a text/passage研读／解读／理解一篇文章／一段文章 translate sb's work/a text/a passage/a novel/a poem翻译某人的作品／一篇文章／一段文章／一部小说／一首诗