Collocation Dictionary
Common collocations with metaphor in American Collocation
metaphor
noun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
US
/ˈmetəˌfɔr/
suitable
appropriate
apt
The ‘urban jungle’ is an apt metaphor for modern city environments.
having a strong effect
potent
powerful
The great statues were toppled over and mutilated, providing a powerful metaphor for the end of a ’golden age ‘.
types of metaphor
extended
mixed
poetic
visual
Extended metaphors are particularly useful. These are metaphors developed through more than one point of comparison.
What McKenna doesn’t do is explain that he’s got an uphill struggle on his hands (excuse the mixed metaphor).
main
central
The central metaphor of the book is indebtedness.
complicated
elaborate
The author introduces repetitive strain injury as an elaborate metaphor for her character’s sense of frustration.
create
develop
employ
provide
use
His extraordinary ability to use metaphors really brought the subject alive for people.