Metaphor
a familiar figure of speech in which one object is spoken of in terms of the other. The basis of the metaphor is some point of resemblance between objects essentially different. For example, a storm and a bird are essentially different. They resemble each other in that both sweep over our heads and finally become quiet. Wordsworth makes use of this fact in a metaphor when he writes:
And the wild storm hath somewhere found a nest.
Had he stated the likeness in so many words; as, the storm ceases like a bird that has found its nest, his figure would have been a simile.
In his farewell to his sons, Jacob made repeated use of metaphor. "Judah is a lion's whelp," "Dan shall be a serpent by the way," "Naphtali is a hind let loose," and "Joseph is a fruitful bough" are illustrations.
Metaphorical expressions are of such frequent occurrence in common conversation that many of them pass unnoticed. Among these common metaphors are such expressions as: golden harvest, howling mob, polished speech, man of iron, wrinkled care, broad-armed elms, burning desires, storm of life, seeds of pride, rugged style, morning of life, pearl of charity, tide of tyranny, roaring torrent, anchor of hope, ocean of life, tyranny of fashion. In an extended metaphor, the expression of resemblance is continued through a series of phrases or sentences. The following are extended metaphors:
The tender leaves of hope, tomorrow blossoms
And bears his blushing honors thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
And,--when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is a ripening,--nips his root,
And then he falls as I do.
Boston State-house is the hub of the solar system. You couldn't pry that out of a Boston man if you had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crowbar.