Which term describes a direct comparison that states one thing is another, not using like or as?

Which term describes a direct comparison that states one thing is another, not using like or as?

• A. Metaphor
• B. Adages
• C. Idioms
• D. Simile

Answer: (A)

In a metaphor, you make a direct statement that one thing is another, without using like or as. This creates a bold equivalence that helps paint a vivid image. For example, saying “Time is a thief” treats time as if it were a thief, directly linking the two ideas. A simile would use like or as, such as “Time is like a thief,” which is not what’s being described here. An adage is a short, traditional saying that conveys wisdom, and an idiom is a phrase with a meaning not predictable from the individual words. So the direct, be-without-ornament comparison fits a metaphor best.

In a metaphor, you make a direct statement that one thing is another, without using like or as. This creates a bold equivalence that helps paint a vivid image. For example, saying “Time is a thief” treats time as if it were a thief, directly linking the two ideas.

A simile would use like or as, such as “Time is like a thief,” which is not what’s being described here. An adage is a short, traditional saying that conveys wisdom, and an idiom is a phrase with a meaning not predictable from the individual words. So the direct, be-without-ornament comparison fits a metaphor best.