Meaning & use
speaking metaphorically
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Used to show that you are using words in a figurative way, not literally.
Grammar: Usually placed at the beginning or end of a clause, separated by commas.
Patterns
- speaking metaphorically, ...
- ... , speaking metaphorically
Speaking metaphorically, the company is a ship without a captain.
The city is a jungle, speaking metaphorically.
He said his boss was a dragon, speaking metaphorically, of course.
Common combinations
- speaking metaphorically, ...
- Speaking metaphorically, the project was a rollercoaster ride.
- ... speaking metaphorically
- My desk is a battlefield, speaking metaphorically.
- to put it metaphorically
- To put it metaphorically, he was drowning in paperwork.
Synonyms and how they differ
- figuratively speaking
- This means the same and is often used in the same position; 'speaking metaphorically' is slightly more specific to metaphor.
- so to speak
- This is more general and can introduce any non-literal expression, not just a metaphor.
Opposites
Word family
- metaphor noun
- A way of describing something by calling it something else.
- metaphorical adjective
- Describing language that is not literal.
- metaphorically adverb
- In a metaphorical way.
Commonly confused: speaking metaphorically or literally speaking?
speaking metaphorically vs literally speaking
This is the opposite: it means you are speaking in a literal, factual way, not using metaphor.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'speaking metaphorically' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Speaking metaphorically' signals a non-literal expression, and 'a piece of cake' is a metaphor for something easy. The other options are literal statements, so the phrase does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “speaking metaphorically”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.