Luyện ngữ pháp - English Collocations in Use - Intermediate - (Unit 3: Special aspects of collocation)


Metaphor

If someone uses a metaphor, they use a word in a way that is slightly different from its basic meaning. For example, the first meaning of sunny is connected with the weather, so we talk about a sunny day. However, sunny can also be used in expressions like a sunny smile, the children’s sunny faces to mean happy; in these collocations sunny is used in a metaphorical way. Metaphors are more common in written than spoken English and often have the effect of sounding quite poetic.

Water

collocation example comment
ideas flow, conversation flows It was a very successful meeting.
The ideas flowed.		 Flow suggests that things progress easily, without effort.
a flood / floods of tears, tears streaming down someone’s face The little girl was in floods of tears. Tears were streaming down her face. Both of these metaphors about tears suggest the girl is crying a lot.
people pour/stream somewhere People poured out of the hall at the end of the lecture. Pour and stream suggest lots of people moving smoothly.
people trickle People trickled into the concert hall. Trickle suggests a few people moving slowly.
a stream of visitors/traffic There was a stream of traffic outside our room all night. Stream suggests continuous movement.
- Lesson 12: A. Light and dark - Lesson 12: C. Fire and heat


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