as in code word
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Recent Examples of dead metaphor
Many of our emotion terms are references to states of the body—we’re downcast, bent out of shape, head over heels, shaken up, down in the mouth—which have slowly rigidified into dead metaphor.
—
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead metaphor
Noun
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Finally, the correct authenticator code word matched what was in my hands.—
Steve Koester,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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This isn’t the first time online communities have attempted to use phrases or code words to organize.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Finally, liquid bat guano and liquid earthworm castings (guano and castings are euphemisms for excrement) are also utilized for foliar fertilization.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
14 Feb. 2025
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When health officials confirm bird flu in a flock, the birds are culled — a euphemism for killed — in order to stop the spread of the virus.—
Bruce Gil,
Quartz,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Use simple analogies and relatable examples, and avoid jargon or complicated terms.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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Forgive one more analogy to music: Wagner has some of this power, too (in fact, a lot of it).—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For Giedi Prime, septic tanks became the visual metaphor associated with the Hardonnen and their morals of a sewer.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
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Fueled by headlines, and theoretical metaphors attributed to the film ahead of release, there was an overwhelming desire to see Sam Wilson versus President Ross/Red Hulk serve as a direct allegory for liberal America’s fight against President Trump.—
Richard Newby,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fight analyst Dan Hardy used an interesting simile to explain the key difference between the two title fighters in Saturday night's main event at UFC 312 as middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis puts his title on the line against former champion Sean Strickland.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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This is what Thadeus loves: a test of his store of poetic similes, even if, these days, his poetry-writing is notional.—
Han Ong,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dead metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20metaphor. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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