Metaphors and similes
Metaphors and similes are more common than you think. In fact, we use them all the time without thinking about it.
In the table below, identify whether each sentence is a metaphor, simile or just a statement using the key, then explain
what you think it means.
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Tip ­ the statements won’t need an explanation!
Key
Metaphor
M
Simile
S
Statement
X
What am I?
It’s raining cats and dogs! M
My tongue's on fire!
He’s as mad as a hatter.
Her eyes are hazel.
Life is but a winding road.
Her mood was as dark as a storm cloud.
What do I mean?
The rain is very heavy
I’m in a pickle!
My heart is broken.
Her future stretched out before her.
He was tickled pink!
He had grown as tall as a tree.
She was the apple of her eye.
The sea was rough and choppy.
She stared at him, her eyes as cold as ice.
I’m shocked to the core!
There is a hole where her heart should be.
He was as happy as a sandboy!
Her eyes shone like diamonds.
Life can be hard.
Her world had suddenly turned upside down.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw her.
Life is like a box of chocolates.