100 figures of speech with examples
Language can be used in two ways. These are the literal and figurative use of the word. Literal language is direct, uses the true definition and meaning of idioms along with words. However, when figuratively spoken, the meaning of any word or phrase will depend on the context in which it is used. A way of speaking is based on the rhetorical department or this figurative language. When using speech figures, sentences will differ from their actual meaning in order to give these words a more specific and specific meaning.
Types of Figure of Speech;
- Figure of Speech
- Simile
- Metaphor
- Personification
- Hyperbole
- Onomatopoeia
- Idiom
- Proverb
Here are 100 figures of speech with examples;
1. When dissolving like soap in water. (Smile)
2. John is a goat. (Metaphor)
3. A rain starts or thinner, then look at the joy in the soil, the birds told me that you are going to distant lands. That beautiful sound of mountain mountain has traveled all around. (Personification)
4. The wave of the sea did not go as far as my heart. (Hyperbole)
5. Can you hear the clicks coming from the roof? (Onomatopoeia)
6. The monkey ate the beans in his hand. (Onomatopoeia)
7. I could not sleep through my mother snort during the night. (Onomatopoeia)
8. The flowing waters of the waterfall took all my troubles. (Onomatopoeia)
9. The food in the cauldron was boiling scalding. (Onomatopoeia)
10. I don’t want to hear the buzz of the fly standing by my ear. (Onomatopoeia)
11. He suddenly exploded when he threw the ball into the thorns. (Onomatopoeia)
12. I lubricated the creaking door hinges beautifully. (Onomatopoeia)
Idioms
13. Daredevil: someone who takes unnecessary risks
14. Cheapskate: someone who hates to spend money
15. Joined at the hip: to be exceptionally close to someone
16. Elbow grease: hard physical effort
17. Oddball: a weirdo or a strange person
18. Down-To-Earth: sensible and realistic
19. Go-Getter: a person who is active, energetic, and has the initiative to pursue the things they want.
20. Break a leg: good luck
21. Cutting corners: Doing something poorly in order to save time or money
22. Hang in there: Don’t give up
23. Pull yourself together: Calm down
24. So far so good: Things are going well so far
25. A busybody: always wants to know about other people’s private lives
26. Oddball: a weirdo or a strange person
27. Down-To-Earth: sensible and realistic
28. Forty winks: a short nap
29. Barrel of laugh: someone who is very funny
30. Old as the hills: some who is very old
31. Red tape; Official or bureaucratic tasks
32. To be yellow; To be cowardly
33. To see red; To be very angry
34. Black out; Faint
35. Black and blue; Describe something that is badly bruised
36. Golden opportunity; The perfect chance
37. Have the blues; Be sad or depressed
38. Black sheep; A person who is a disgrace to a family or group
39. That’s a storm in a teacup, stop fussing about it, you can do it.
40. The air hostess greeted the passengers with a sunny smile.
41. They have the intention to flood the market with their new mobile phones.
42. If someone has a clean bill of health, they apply to many profession
43. My grandmother’s old, but she’s as fit as a fiddle.
44. If you a few days of rest and medication, you’ll be as fit as a fiddle.
45. I’m sorry I can’t make it. I’m feeling a bit under the weather today.
46. If someone looks or feels like ill or tired, they look death warmed up.
47. Oh dear! You look like death warmed up, I think doctor will prescribe you a lot of medicine.
48. You shouldn’t be working all night when you’re so ill, you looks like death warmed up.
49. My mum’s not worried about the operation. She’s been under the knife several times.
50. Stacy went under the knife last week.
51. Custom is a second nature.
Proverbs
52. Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.
53. Everything comes to him who waits.
54. All are not saints that go to church.
55. All asses wag their ears.
56. Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself.
57. Curiosity killed a cat.
58. He is lifeless that is faultless.
59. They must hunger in winter that will not work in summer.
60. Things past cannot be recalled.
61. Think today and speak tomorrow.
62. Rome was not built in a day.
63. Patience is a plaster for all sores.
64. He is not fit to command others that cannot command himself.
65. Leaves without figs.
66. Let bygones be bygones.
67. Many words hurt more than swords.
68. Many words will not fill a bushel.
69. Self done is soon done.
70. The best fish smell when they are three days old.
71. The best fish swim near the bottom.
72. The best is oftentimes the enemy of the good.
73. Pleasure has a sting in its tail.
74. Plenty is no plague.
75. Politeness costs little (nothing), but yields much.
76. Poverty is no sin.
77. They are hand and glove.
78. Old friends and old wine are best.
79. Out of sight, out of mind.
80. Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
81. Packed like herrings.
82. Learn to say before you sing.
83. Least said, soonest mended.
84. Measure thrice and cut once.
85. Learn wisdom by the follies of others.
86. Judge not of men and things at first sight.
87. He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
88. He knows best what good is that has endured evil.
89. Curses like chickens come home to roost.
90. He is not laughed at that laughs at himself first.
91. He is not poor that has little, but he that desires much.
92. Many a true word is spoken in jest.
93. Many hands make light work.
94. Many men, many minds.
95. Last, but not least.
96. Laws catch flies, but let hornets go free.
97. Learn to creep before you leap.
98. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.
99. Of two evils choose the least.
100. Old birds are not caught with chaff.
