Definition of dead metaphor
: a word or phrase (such as time is running out) that has lost its metaphoric force through common usage
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Recent Examples of dead metaphor from the Web
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This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
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.
First Known Use of dead metaphor
1922
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