What is a metaphor?

when a nonliving thing is given human qualities
when a nonliving thing is given human qualities

a comparison between two unlike things that uses like or as
a comparison between two unlike things that uses like or as

the literal meaning of a word
the literal meaning of a word

a direct comparison that does not use like or as

1 answer

A metaphor is a direct comparison that does not use like or as. It asserts that one thing is another, highlighting similarities between the two in a figurative way. For example, saying "Time is a thief" implies that time steals moments from our lives, without using "like" or "as."