Figurative expressions
July 16th, 2013 in Style Guide
In English, we use many imaginative expressions to describe things in a more interesting manner. These are known as figurative expressions. In figurative expressions, words are used in a different way.
For example, the eye of a needle is a figurative expression. It is a well-known fact that needles do not have eyes. Nonetheless, here the opening in a needle through which you pass the thread is figuratively described as an eye.
Here are some figurative expressions using the names of the parts of the body.
The mouth of a river
The eye of a needle
The hands of a clock
The head of an organization, an office, a factory etc
The teeth of a comb
The face of a clock
The foot of a hill
An ear of corn (Used to refer to the top part of the plant that produces grain)
The brow of a hill (Used to refer to the top part of the hill)
The neck of a bottle
The back of a chair
A hairline crack / fracture (A very thin crack in a roof)
Complete the following figurative expressions. Choose your answers from the options given in the brackets.
1. The leg of a ………………………… (table / tree / organization)
2. The nose of a ………………………….. (plane / corn / jug)
3. A tongue of ………………………… (flame / needle / corn)
4. The backbone of an …………………………. (organization / river / hill)
5. The foot of the …………………………… (stairs / plane / chair)
Answers
1. The leg of a table; 2. The nose of a plane; 3. A tongue of flame; 4. The backbone of an organization; 5. The foot of the stairs