Using Figurative Language: 8 Creative Examples
“Clickity clack! I’m typing as fast as the wind. If I don’t finish this today, I’ll be up a creek without a paddle!”
Often, when composing cover letters or business emails, you want to punch up the language to find a way to be more expressive. You could find yourself rummaging through the thesaurus or foraging the corners of your mind for things you learned in middle-school English class, all in the name of coming across more witty or upping the imagery of your text to increase its emotional impact.
That is where figurative language flies to the rescue. Here, you’ll find the answer to that burning question, “What is figurative language?” and find 8 creative examples to help you learn how to use it effectively.
What is figurative language?
Figurative language is phrasing that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to get a message or point across. It’s the use of figures of speech, such as metaphors, similes, and allusions, to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful.
Figurative language heightens the impact of a given statement by conjuring images outside of the immediate confines of the text to elicit a sensation. Metaphors might arguably be the most well-known form of figurative language. “Fish out of water,” “beat a dead horse,” and “apple of my eye” are all commonly used metaphors.
Figures of speech also include sound-based devices, such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, that use the way words sound to conjure images and associations with experiences.
In fact, there are several forms of figurative language. Let's take a look at a few of them and some illustrative examples.
8 Figurative language examples
While there are many more than 8 types of figurative language, the examples here will help you get a better understanding of “What is figurative language?”
1. Simile
“He was as wily as a fox”
A simile is a communication style that draws a comparison between two separate concepts, using a clear connecting word such as “like” or “as.” In the above, a man is described as being wily, meaning to possess cunning, craftiness, and shrewdness. As this is a quality usually associated with a fox, the simile draws a comparison between the man and a fox to highlight this particular trait of his.
“I slept like a log”
“Bright as the sun”
“Sharp as a tack”
2. Metaphor
“He’s a dull blade”
A metaphor applies a word or phrase to a person or thing that isn’t meant literally but rather makes a comparison. The intent is to associate that person or thing with an idea that elicits an image that would otherwise not be suitable for that person or thing but is better at describing the desired sensation.
In the above, a person is described as dull, which can mean boring, but in this instance, more likely means unintelligent or obtuse. A dull blade is a particularly acute metaphor because a blade that is dull is not only the opposite of what you expect a blade to be, but it is also rather useless. So, instead of just calling him dull, the metaphor elicits the image of an unsharp blade to help visualize the severity and impact of his dullness.
A metaphor is like a simile but without connecting words.
“He was a wily fox”
“She cried a river of tears”
“She’s a raging tiger”
3. Implied metaphor
“She lured him into her web”
Metaphors can come in a few different forms. In the implied metaphor, the object of comparison is merely implied rather than directly referenced. For instance, the phrase, “He barked commands at the team,” implies a comparison to an angry dog. “He brayed his refusal to leave” implies a comparison to a stubborn mule.
Here, the image of a spider building a sticky web and luring her dinner into it is conjured to describe a woman drawing a man into a trap with ill intent.
“He slithered through the crowd”
“She galloped after the bus”
“He dove head-first into the relationship
4. Personification
“The wind howled”
Personification is where human qualities are projected onto inanimate objects, animals, natural elements, or even abstract notions, as in “The sun invited us outside.” In the above, the wind is described as making a horrifying sound or howling, which is to cry out loudly and without restraint in pain or grief. This way, you can imagine the wind as someone crying out in pain.
“The words leaped off the page”
“Time marches on”
“The cat grinned”
5. Hyperbole
“I have a million things to do today”
Hyperbole is an extravagant, intentional, overt exaggeration used to emphasize an emotion or description. Sometimes hyperbole also uses simile and allusion. No human actually has a million things on a one-day to-do list. That’s obviously impossible. And that’s the keyword: “obvious.” The overt nature of the exaggeration is what lends the hyperbole its power; you obviously don’t have a million things to do, but the size of your to-do list might feel insurmountable.
“I am starving to death”
“This guy is taller than a giraffe”
“You’re so loud, the whole city can hear you”
6. Allusion
“Go down a rabbit hole”
Allusion is when a text references another external text – or even a person, place, or event. It can be either explicit or implicit. Here, the well-worn phrase “to go down the rabbit hole” is actually a reference to Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice in Wonderland.
It alludes to Alice’s literal journey into a rabbit hole and her metaphorical journey into an unknown world that leads to twists and turns and never-ending discoveries. The saying now refers to “a complexly bizarre situation in which the pursuit of something (such as an answer or solution) leads to other questions, problems, or pursuits”
“In the ninth level of hell”
"Chocolate cake is my Achilles heel"
“Well, Einstein, any bright ideas?”
7. Idiom
“Toe the line”
An idiom is a non-literal turn of phrase that means something different than what’s said – or written. It’s a phrase that only makes sense if people know the underlying meaning.
The origin of the above phrase “toe the line” is somewhat disputed, but its most likely origin goes back to the wooden decked ships of the Royal Navy during the 17th century. Barefooted seamen had to line up for inspection on deck, lining up their toes along the seams of the wooden planks, hence to "toe the line." Now, it is an idiom meaning to conform rigorously to a rule or standard
“Hit the hay”
“Stabbed in the back”
“Blow off steam”
8. Alliteration
“Krispy Kreme Crumble Cake”
Alliteration is a sound device that layers additional meaning and sensation on top of the language of the text. This device is about building a series of words that start with the same letter sound – “wicked witch” or “from forth the fatal loins of these two foes.” This can help to elicit a feeling or image from the text simply through word choice.
Alliteration can also make phrases more memorable. That’s why you can find them in movie and TV titles like:
Big Brother
Breaking Bad
Wonder Woman
and ad slogans like:
“Don't dream it. Drive it.” (Jaguar)
“Intel Inside” (Intel)
“You'll never put a better bit of butter on your knife.” (Country Life Butter)
“Maybe it’s Maybelline”
Here are some additional examples of alliteration:
Wiley Willie wandered westward
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Paula planted the pretty pink poppies in the pot
What is figurative language in business writing?
In business, you’ll often hear that direct, plain language is best to avoid confusion. Certainly, in international dealings, for example, idioms can lead to serious misunderstandings. But simply because you’re writing in a business setting doesn’t mean that your writing has to be as dull as an old blade.
For example:
Metaphor: Our sales team is the engine that drives our success.
Simile: That new widget is selling like hotcakes.
Implied metaphor: That new procedure sailed through the approval process.
Personification: Recent market changes demand that we innovate.
Alliteration: The marketing manager made many memorable moments.
Idiom: Try to think outside the box to solve the problem with this project.
If you think about it, you’ve probably used one or more of these in a business setting without even thinking about it. So, to answer ‘what is figurative language?’ – it’s something you already have some experience with, whether you realize it or not.
Figurative language has a place in professional settings
Sometimes, plain language isn’t enough to convey a message or the scope of an idea. Figurative language in your blogs, emails, and sales pitches can be an effective and compelling tool to inspire clients, excite colleagues, and keep readers engaged. That’s because more vivid imagery can help readers understand the breadth of the point you’re trying to get across.
Using figurative language is a great technique for helping your readers form images in their minds. It can also aid in bringing out emotions and turn abstract ideas into tangible concepts.
For more tips on career development, check out our blogs. Or, if you’re looking for experts with knowledge of figurative language to help pep up your cover letter, let our expert writers at ZipJob lend a hand.
This article was originally written by Robert Lyons. It’s been updated by Marsha Hebert.
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Written by
Marsha Hebert, Professional Resume Writer
Marsha is a resume writer with a strong background in marketing and writing. After completing a Business Marketing degree, she discovered that she could combine her passion for writing with a natural talent for marketing. For more than 10 years, Marsha has helped companies and individuals market themselves. Read more advice from Marsha on ZipJob's blog.
