29+ Conceptual Metaphor Examples: Definition,Identification

Conceptual metaphors link abstract concepts to concrete experiences. Example: “Time is money” equates time’s value with currency, emphasizing efficiency. This metaphor shapes behavior, encouraging time-saving like money-saving, evidenced in phrases like “spend time wisely” or “wasting time.”

Metaphor is principally of one thing in terms of another. It’s primary function is understanding.Generally the conceptual metaphor is a way of understanding something absent (a target domain) in terms of something sources (the source domain).

Examples of Conceptual Metaphor:-

Now we see here all the 30+Conceptual Metaphor Examples in the following list.

1. The boy is a burning soul to crack the NEET.
2. The girl is an angel.
3. Amit is a star in this small village.
4. The baby is a moon in their family.
5. The man has just twigged in his life.
6. His opinion was hard stone.
7. Her smile is a flower.
8. Her dream is a flying kite.
9. His brain is a turning train.
10. Rahul’s heart is an ocean.
11. Sathi is a butterfly.
12. Ankita kept me in a dark.
13. Soumen’s words are not clear.
14. Antara and Sanjoy are standing on a crossroad.
15. Animesh is in a great trouble.
16. Suman is a cool head.
17. The villagers gave us a warm welcome.
18. The children are growing into a thorny way.
19. They are not connected with the way of friendship.
20. There is no barrier between your brother and me.
21. The communication makes people happy.
22. We love reading story books.
23. The man played an important role in this hurdle.
24. The people are walking through the footpath.
25. There is no argument if the student has selected science stream.
26. The baby is a growing crop.
27. The student has passed the exam by good frame of mind.
28. The man can speak Spanish fluently.
29. Ramesh is getting fire.
30. The boy is so intelligent that he opens up the door of knowledge.
31. There is no bridge between Rahul and Rohit.
32. All is the running pen.
33. Anil is a dark horse in this quiz competition.
34. Abishek is a golden boy in our village.
35. Radhika doesn’t have time to spend with me.

Analysis of Conceptual Metaphor:-

Let’s see all the 30+Conceptual Metaphor Examples in the sentences with their detailed analysis here.

1. The boy is a burning sole to crack the NEET.

Here the target domain is “The Boy” and the source domain is “Burning Soul”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Burning soul= Determined.

2. The girl is an angel.

Here the target domain is “The Girl” and the source domain is “An Angle”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Angel= Precious.

3. Amit is a star in this small village.

Here the target domain is “Amit” and the source domain is “Star”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Star= Valuable.

4. The baby is a moon in their family.

Here the target domain is “The Baby” and the source domain is “Moon”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Moon= Precious.

5. The man has just twigged in his life.

Here the target domain is “The man” and the source domain is “twigged in life”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Twigged in life = Initiating.

6. His opinion was hard stone.

Here the target domain is “His opinion” and the source domain is “Hard”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Hard= Firmed.

7. Her smile is a flower.

Here the target domain is “Her Smile” and the source domain is “Flower”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Flower= Precious.

8. Her dream is a flying kite.

Here the target domain is “Her Dream” and the source domain is “Flying kite”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Flying kite = unstable.

9. His brain is a turning train.

Here the target domain is “His Brain” and the source domain is “Turning train”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Turning train= Complex.

10. Rahul’s heart is an ocean.

Here the target domain is “Rahul’s heart” and the source domain is “Ocean”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Ocean= Big.

11. Sathi is a butterfly.

Here the target domain is “Sathi” and the source domain is “Butterfly”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Butterfly= Colourful.

12. Ankita kept me in a dark.

Here the target domain is “Ankita” and the source domain is “In a Dark”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that In a Dark= Unknown.

13. Soumen’s words are not clear.

Here the target domain is “Soumen’s” and the source domain is “Not clear”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Not clear = Unknown.

14. Antara and Sanjoy are standing on a crossroad.

Here the target domain is “Antara and Sanjoy” and the source domain is “On a crossroad”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that On a crossroad =Path.

15. Animesh is in a great trouble.

Here the target domain is “Animesh” and the source domain is “In a great trouble”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that In a great trouble= Panic.

16. Suman is a cool head.

Here the target domain is “Suman” and the source domain is “Cool head”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Cool head= patient.

17. The villagers gave us a warm welcome.

Here the target domain is “The villagers” and the source domain is “Warm welcome”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Warm welcome= Reception.

18. The children are growing into a thorny way.

Here the target domain is “The children” and the source domain is “Thorny way”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Thorny way= Obstakle.

19. They are not connected with the way of friendship.

Here the target domain is “They” and the source domain is “The way of friendship”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that The way of Friendship= Relationship.

20. There is no barrier between your brother and me.

Here the target domain is “Your brother and me” and the source domain is “Barrier”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Barrier = Obstakle.

21. The communication makes people happy.

Here the target domain is “People” and the source domain is “Communication”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Communication= Relationship.

22. We love reading story books.

Here the target domain is “We” and the source domain is “Story books”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Story books= precious.

23. The man played an important role in this hurdle.

Here the target domain is “The man” and the source domain is “In the hardle”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that In the hurdle= Panic.

24. The people are walking through the footpath.

Here the target domain is “The people” and the source domain is “Footpath”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Footpath= Way.

25. There is no argument if the student has selected science stream.

Here the target domain is “The student” and the source domain is “Argument”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Argument= Debate.

26. The baby is a growing crop.

Here the target domain is “The Baby” and the source domain is “Growing crop”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Growing crop= Plant.

27. The student has passed the exam by good frame of mind.

Here the target domain is “The student” and the source domain is “Good frame of mind”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Good frame of mind= Determination.

28. The man can speak Spanish fluently.

Here the target domain is “The man” and the source domain is “Spanish fluently”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Spanish fluently= language force.

29. Ramesh is getting fire.

Here the target domain is “Ramesh” and the source domain is “Getting fire”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Getting fire= Hottiness.

30. The boy is so intelligent that he opens up the door of knowledge.

Here the target domain is “The Boy” and the source domain is “the door of knowledge”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that the door of knowledge = Innovation.

31. There is no bridge between Rahul and Rohit.

Here the target domain is “Rahul and Rohit” and the source domain is “Bridge”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Bridge = Obstakle.

32. All is the running pen.

Here the target domain is “All” and the source domain is “Running pen”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Running Pen= Precious.

33. Anil is a dark horse in this quiz competition.

Here the target domain is “Anil” and the source domain is “Dark horse”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Dark horse= Valuable.

34. Abishek is a golden boy in our village.

Here the target domain is “Abishek” and the source domain is “Golden boy”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Golden= Precious.

35. Radhika doesn’t have time to spend with me.

Here the target domain is “Radhika” and the source domain is “Time”. By the equation A=B, it is clear that Time= Precious.

We have discussed all the 30+Conceptual Metaphor Examples above in details. It is expected that readers will get more information from this article.

How To Identify Conceptual Metaphor:-

We have to predetermine about the set of corresponding points between the source and target domains. These sets are known as “Mappings”.

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Bhabesh Sing

Hi! I am Bhabesh Sing. I have completed M.A in English, M.A in Vocal Music, and B.Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a Subject Matter Expert in English on this Platform.
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