dead metaphor

noun

Definition of dead metaphor

: a word or phrase (such as time is running out) that has lost its metaphoric force through common usage

Examples of dead metaphor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead. — Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, "Climate Change Can Also Transform Language," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dead metaphor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near dead metaphor

deadmen's lines

de admensuratione

dead men tell no tales

dead of the night

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Time Traveler for dead metaphor

The first known use of dead metaphor was in 1922

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