What are Figures of Speech?
Figures of speech are word or phrases that are used in a non-literal sense to add emphasis, clarity, or interest to language. They can be used to create a vivid image or to express an idea more eloquently or effectively. There are many different types of figures of speech, including similes, metaphors, personification, hyperboles, alterations, alliterations, and onomatopoeia.
Similes are comparisons between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as,” such as “as fast as lightning” or “as quiet as a mouse.”
Metaphors are comparisons between two things without using “like” or “as,” such as “the world is a stage” or “she is a flower.”
Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human things, such as “the sun was smiling down on us” or “the wind whispered through the trees.”
Hyperboles are exaggerated statements used for emphasis, such as “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” or “I’ve told you a million times.”
Alterations are phrases in which one or more words are changed to create a rhyme, such as “hickory, dickory, dock” or “red lorry, yellow lorry.”
Alliterations are the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of consecutive words, such as “she sells seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
Onomatopoeia are words that imitate the sounds they represent, such as “meow,” “buzz,” or “sizzle.”
Similes
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words “like” or “as.”
I. Animal-based similes
As sly as a fox
As stubborn as a mule
As fast as a cheetah
As strong as an ox
As graceful as a swan
II. Nature-based similes
As calm as a lake
As bright as the sun
As cold as ice
As warm as summer
As quiet as a forest
III. Comparison to everyday objects
As slippery as a bar of soap
As tough as nails
As sharp as a knife
As smooth as glass
As fragile as a flower
IV. Comparison to people or characters
As sly as a thief
As brave as a soldier
As cunning as a snake
As stubborn as a child
As wise as an old man
Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes something as if it were something else, without using the words “like” or “as.”
I. Animal-based metaphors
He is a snake
She is a lioness
He is a fox
She is a dove
He is a bear
II. Nature-based metaphors
She is a rose
He is an oak tree
She is a summer breeze
He is a storm
She is a snowflake
III. Comparison to everyday objects
She is a diamond
He is a rock
She is a piece of art
He is a machine
She is a puzzle
IV. Comparison to people or characters
She is a queen
He is a king
She is an angel
He is a monster
She is a warrior
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech that gives human characteristics to non-human things.
I. Nature personification
The trees were swaying in the wind
The clouds were crying in the sky
The sun was smiling on the earth
The ocean was roaring in anger
The flowers were singing in the field
II. Inanimate object personification
The car was racing down the road
The clock was ticking away
The door was creaking open
The phone was ringing off the hook
The computer was crashing
III. Animal personification
The cat was purring with contentment
The dog was wagging its tail with joy
The horse was neighing with excitement
The bird was chirping with happiness
The snake was hissing with anger
IV. Abstract concept personification
Love was in the air
Time was running out
Happiness was a warm hug
Fear was a cold hand on my shoulder
Anger was a fire in my chest
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
I. Exaggeration of size or quantity
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
I’m so tired I could sleep for a year
I’ve told you a million times
I’ve been waiting for hours
She has a ton of homework to do
II. Exaggeration of intensity or emotion
I’m dying of embarrassment
I’m so cold I’m freezing to death
I’m so excited I could jump out of my skin
I’m so angry I could explode
I’m so happy I could cry
III. Exaggeration of speed or ability
He can run faster than the speed of light
She can lift a car with one hand
He can jump over tall buildings in a single bound
She can eat an entire pizza in one sitting
He can swim faster than a shark
IV. Exaggeration of importance or significance
That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen
That’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me
That’s the best idea we’ve had all year
That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard
That’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound or group of sounds at the beginning of words that are close together in a phrase or verse.
I. Alliteration using the same beginning sound for multiple words in a phrase or sentence
She sells seashells by the seashore
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Red roses on the radiator
A proper copper coffee pot
A big black bear in a big black car
II. Alliteration using the same ending sound for multiple words in a phrase or sentence
The cat sat on a mat
The man in the van
A rat in a hat
A dog in a fog
A pig in a wig
III. Alliteration using the same middle sound for multiple words in a phrase or sentence
The snake sneaked through the grass
The bird flew to the branch
A fish in a dish
A fox in a box
A sheep in a heap
IV. Alliteration using a combination of beginning, middle, and ending sounds for multiple words in a phrase or sentence
A fat cat in a hat sat on a mat
A silly snake slid down the stairs
A red robin on a branch
A wet cat in a wet hat
A big bug in a rug
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds they describe.
I. Animal sounds
Bark
Meow
Oink
Moo
Roar
II. Sounds made by objects
Sizzle
Crunch
Beep
Bang
Boing
III. Sounds made by humans
Hiccup
Giggle
Whisper
Yell
Sigh
IV. Other sounds
Splash
Swoosh
Clink
Murmur
Hiss
Idioms
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words.
I. Idioms using animal names
As busy as a bee
As quiet as a mouse
As strong as an ox
As sly as a fox
As brave as a lion
II. Idioms using body parts
To keep an eye on something
To lend a hand
To have a heart of gold
To have a head for numbers
To have a cold shoulder
III. Idioms using colors
To see red
To feel blue
To be green with envy
To be in the black
To turn a blind eye
IV. Idioms using weather
To rain on someone’s parade
To be under the weather
To weather the storm
To clear the air
To be caught in the rain
V. Other idioms
To break the ice
To cost an arm and a leg
To pull someone’s leg
To be the apple of someone’s eye
To bend over backwards
Proverbs
A proverb is a short, common saying that expresses a truth or offers advice.
I. Proverbs about hard work and determination
Hard work pays off
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Practice makes perfect
No pain, no gain
The harder you work, the luckier you get
II. Proverbs about wisdom and knowledge
Knowledge is power
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Ignorance is bliss
The more you learn, the more you earn
Experience is the best teacher
III. Proverbs about morals and values
Honesty is the best policy
Treat others the way you want to be treated
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Actions speak louder than words
Two wrongs don’t make a right
IV. Proverbs about luck and chance
Good things come to those who wait
Luck of the draw
You make your own luck
When it rains, it pours
Every cloud has a silver lining
V. Other proverbs
Time heals all wounds
The early bird catches the worm
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Seeing is believing
You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Adages
An adage is a saying that conveys a lesson or moral lesson.
I. Adages about hard work and determination
No pain, no gain
Practice makes perfect
The harder you work, the luckier you get
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Hard work pays off
II. Adages about wisdom and knowledge
Knowledge is power
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Ignorance is bliss
The more you learn, the more you earn
Experience is the best teacher
III. Adages about morals and values
Honesty is the best policy
Treat others the way you want to be treated
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Actions speak louder than words
Two wrongs don’t make a right
IV. Adages about luck and chance
Good things come to those who wait
Luck of the draw
You make your own luck
When it rains, it pours
Every cloud has a silver lining
V. Other adages
Time heals all wounds
The early bird catches the worm
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Seeing is believing
You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Clichés
A cliché is a phrase or expression that has been overused and has lost its originality and impact.
I. Clichés about hard work and determination
No pain, no gain
Practice makes perfect
The harder you work, the luckier you get
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Hard work pays off
II. Clichés about wisdom and knowledge
Knowledge is power
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Ignorance is bliss
The more you learn, the more you earn
Experience is the best teacher
III. Clichés about morals and values
Honesty is the best policy
Treat others the way you want to be treated
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Actions speak louder than words
Two wrongs don’t make a right
IV. Clichés about luck and chance
Good things come to those who wait
Luck of the draw
You make your own luck
When it rains, it pours
Every cloud has a silver lining
V. Other clichés
Time heals all wounds
The early bird catches the worm
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Seeing is believing
You can’t have your cake and eat it too
What is the difference between proverbs, adages, and clichés?
Proverbs, adages, and clichés are all types of sayings that convey a truth or piece of advice based on practical experience or common sense. However, there are some key differences between the three.
Proverbs are short, memorable sayings that express a truth or piece of advice based on common sense or practical experience. They are often culturally and geographically specific and are used to impart wisdom and insight to others.
Adages are sayings that convey a general truth or piece of advice, and are often passed down through generations. They tend to be more broadly applicable and are often longer and more wordy than proverbs.
Clichés are phrases or expressions that have been overused to the point of losing their original meaning or impact. They are often used to describe a situation or character in a predictable or unoriginal way.
In summary, proverbs are specific and expressive, adages are general and wise, and clichés are overused and unoriginal.
