Grammar: 💡 Effective Word Choice & Style - Intermediate/Advanced (B2) - Lesson 5: Understanding Common Metaphors & More Complex Idioms

Lesson 5: Metaphors & Complex Idioms We have learned that similes make writing more descriptive by using 'like' or 'as' to make a comparison. Today, we learn about a more direct and powerful form of figurative language 1 called a metaphor 2 . We will also expand our vocabulary with some more complex idioms 3 common in everyday English. Understanding Metaphors A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by saying that one thing is the other. It does not use the words 'like' or 'as'. This creates a strong image in the reader's mind. Simile vs. Metaphor Simile: "He fights like a lion." (He is similar to a lion). Metaphor: "He is a lion in the fight." (He has the qualities of a lion). Common Metaphors: Time is money: This means that time is a valuable resource that should not be wasted. Life is a journey: This suggests that life has a beginning and end, …