Feeling Under Par? - Golf and Other Examples of Metaphor

What examples of metaphor can you think of?

Golf, an extremely popular sport offers us many examples of metaphor that have found their way into everyday conversation. and are therefore called common or conventional metaphor.

You may metaphorically:

be under par ...(feeling unwell or not achieving to your usual standard)
be in the rough ...,(things not going smoothly for you)
have hit a bunker ...(come up against an obstacle or delay)
have overshot the green ... (misjudged a situation)
got a hole in one ...(achieved amazing success)

Our language is littered with metaphorical phrases - they communicate more efficiently in less words. Find more examples of metaphor at Life Metaphors and Life Quotes

What is a Metaphor?

In Greek, the term metaphor meant 'carry something across' or 'transfer.' Aristotle defined it as:'the act of giving a thing a name that belongs to something else.

Metaphor and Simile

They are both forms of comparison but:-

'Metaphor differs from a simile in that it compares two similar things
without using 'like' or 'as.'

'Similes allow the two ideas to remain distinct in spite of their similarities, whereas metaphors seek to equate two ideas despite their differences.'

In fact we think metaphorically--whether we're aware of it or not.

Discover this very powerful self-development tool. Use simple metaphor to control negative or powerful emotions such as anger, jealousy, frustration.

Metaphor or Simile?

Check out these fantastic Australian colloquialisms - don't they paint a pretty picture?

So that's a bandicoot!

'flat out like a lizard drinking' .....(working very hard on a task)

'standing like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge'..... (feeling lonely and vulnerable)

'like a stunned mullet' .....(someone will wander, dazed and confused)

'mad as a cut snake' .....(to be in a furious rage)

'dead as a maggot'......(they will be in a state of undeniable lifelessness)

What fantastic pictures those images paint? You've got to hand it to the Aussies, they have a great way with words.

Great sayings, but they are NOT examples of metaphor? because they use the words 'like' and 'as.' They are examples of 'simile.'

Learning styles - Examples of Metaphor in Everyday Use

You can find out a lot about yourself by becoming more aware of your own words. The clues are there for you. Common metaphor examples are everywhere. Listen well, to yourself and others - you will hear them in many situations.

Do You Hear Yourself Saying Any of These?

These examples of metaphor are from adult students gaining a greater understanding of their personal learning styles and preferences.

I can't digest this much information.
(Eating) I take in the basic meat and potatoes before I can start on the mouth-watering dessert.

Just when I think I understand, it all gets shuffled around
(Playing Cards.) I divide things into four categories and look for patterns across the suits. When the logic and meaning emerges I know which card to play.

We can't learn in these conditions
(Planting Flowers.) A seed is planted in my mind which I nurture with water and sun in the faith that it will grow and sprout.
I'll never get there
(A Quest.) I'm searching for that elusive something and every step brings me closer to what I need to know.

And....What is Your Metaphor for Life?

Life's a B-E-A-C-H!

Life is:

a bed of roses
what you make it
one more mountain to climb
a beach
a rollercoaster
a battle

Sunset Beach Art Print
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Once more, in your pursuit of happiness, think about how you perceive your world at this time - this will help you later when you think about negative versus positive thoughts.

So is your glass half empty or half full

You see, you find those pesky examples of metaphor everywhere.

Use Metaphor Stories for Your
Life Makeover

Storytelling is an ancient tradition among cultures the world over. Stories, fables and proverbs have been used to teach, inspire and to impart essential knowledge for centuries.

You are most likely already familiar with fairy tales, e.g Red Riding HOod, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Most cultures have their own equivalent.

These stories work because they connect at some level to the listener's own reality.

'Metaphor bypasses conscious resistance and stimulates creativity and lateral thinking in relation to a problem.'~ Robert Dilts,a developer of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)~

Thereby metaphorical thinking, opens a gateway between the conscious and the unconscious and between ‘left brain’ and ‘right brain’ processing. Even though characters and details of the story are very different to real events, the mind identifies with the underlying problem presented in the story.

When dealing with problems in your life, there are times when listing the pros and cons just does not work. If you are intent on changing some aspect of your life then use metaphor or metaphor stories - they offer an amazing opportunity.

Create your own fantasy and then......step into it. It's far less scary. If you ever saw the film Mary Poppins, it's like jumping into those chalk 'pavement artist's pictures.'

MY STORY

Back in 2006, I decided to quit my job, leave home, see more of the world. In my 50s and a grandmother of five, I was very apprehensive. Writing the story Leticia, helped me plan my first ever lone backpacking trip to Peru, and deal with that apprehension and fear. Granted, its no literacy masterpiece - a skeletal version would have done, but I was having fun too.

Examples of Metaphor - the Metaphor Story of Leticia

Leticia was the only name she could ever have been given. It had always suited her well! Why? I hear you ask. Well have a guess. When you think of GREEN…. what comes to mind?

fields of soft, succulent grass,
dappled green leaves swaying and dancing in the breeze
the delicate fronds of a fern uncurling…

Perhaps. But then …come closer to home…GREENS. Yep, vegetables…you know …like peas….and cabbage….and Brussel sprouts….and yuk!
LETTUCE.....read more

YOUR STORY

Write your own story. What examples of metaphor best fit your current situation and your desired outcome. What 'pictures of happiness' will you jump into?

P.S Remember to share your story with us. We'd all love to hear it. Contact me here

Do it! Take that Leap of Faith?

Return from Examples of Metaphor to Happiness Pages.

METAPHORS4U

Take some time NOW............ to jot down the metaphors you use in one area of your life - for example:

WORK
RELATIONSHIPS
MONEY
HEALTH

Metaphor Teaser:

Find 10 examples of metaphor in:

popular love songs
happiness songs
poetry

Here's a start:
'I never promised you a rose garden.'
'Islands in the stream, that is what we are.'
Life is a rollercoaster just gotta ride it.

NLP Metaphor Stories

Turning over a new leaf?

Thanks to my story about Leticia I DID IT
....and had a fantastic 6 weeks lone backpacking in Peru... I faced my fears and photographed Wild Dolphins

examples of metaphor - wild dolphins

in the Bay of Paracas on the Mundo Azul Dolphin Conservation Project.