Metaphor or idiom?
My partner and I were discussing rearranging our bedroom. He said that moving the bed would be "a big lift".
The conversation continued and he referred to "a big lift" as an idiom. I replied that the phrase is a metaphor for weightlifting.
Much like this "rain check" question already posed, can a phrase be both a metaphor and an idiom? Specifically, is the phrase "a big lift" a metaphor? Is it an idiom?
idioms metaphors
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
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add a comment |
My partner and I were discussing rearranging our bedroom. He said that moving the bed would be "a big lift".
The conversation continued and he referred to "a big lift" as an idiom. I replied that the phrase is a metaphor for weightlifting.
Much like this "rain check" question already posed, can a phrase be both a metaphor and an idiom? Specifically, is the phrase "a big lift" a metaphor? Is it an idiom?
idioms metaphors
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago
add a comment |
My partner and I were discussing rearranging our bedroom. He said that moving the bed would be "a big lift".
The conversation continued and he referred to "a big lift" as an idiom. I replied that the phrase is a metaphor for weightlifting.
Much like this "rain check" question already posed, can a phrase be both a metaphor and an idiom? Specifically, is the phrase "a big lift" a metaphor? Is it an idiom?
idioms metaphors
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My partner and I were discussing rearranging our bedroom. He said that moving the bed would be "a big lift".
The conversation continued and he referred to "a big lift" as an idiom. I replied that the phrase is a metaphor for weightlifting.
Much like this "rain check" question already posed, can a phrase be both a metaphor and an idiom? Specifically, is the phrase "a big lift" a metaphor? Is it an idiom?
idioms metaphors
idioms metaphors
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
asked 13 hours ago
Sara N.Sara N.
61
61
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Sara N. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago
add a comment |
How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago
How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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It's neither.
'a big lift' is just standard speech.
A metaphor is defined as:
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
a big lift does not fit here because it is literally applicable -- moving the bed will presumably be a big lift.
An idiom is defined as:
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
Definitely not this - the meaning is indeed deducible from the context.
I say it's standard speech. Highlighting the aforementioned phrase- Moving the bed will be a big lift, you can just see that it's a statement where the adjective big just describes the action of the lift.
If you were talking about weightlifting as a sport, it would be an idiom, as John Lawler has pointed out. But out of that context, it's just plain English.
Hope this helps!
Both [1] [2] definitions from Oxford Dictionaries.
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way theBIGpredicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.
– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
It's neither.
'a big lift' is just standard speech.
A metaphor is defined as:
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
a big lift does not fit here because it is literally applicable -- moving the bed will presumably be a big lift.
An idiom is defined as:
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
Definitely not this - the meaning is indeed deducible from the context.
I say it's standard speech. Highlighting the aforementioned phrase- Moving the bed will be a big lift, you can just see that it's a statement where the adjective big just describes the action of the lift.
If you were talking about weightlifting as a sport, it would be an idiom, as John Lawler has pointed out. But out of that context, it's just plain English.
Hope this helps!
Both [1] [2] definitions from Oxford Dictionaries.
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way theBIGpredicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.
– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It's neither.
'a big lift' is just standard speech.
A metaphor is defined as:
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
a big lift does not fit here because it is literally applicable -- moving the bed will presumably be a big lift.
An idiom is defined as:
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
Definitely not this - the meaning is indeed deducible from the context.
I say it's standard speech. Highlighting the aforementioned phrase- Moving the bed will be a big lift, you can just see that it's a statement where the adjective big just describes the action of the lift.
If you were talking about weightlifting as a sport, it would be an idiom, as John Lawler has pointed out. But out of that context, it's just plain English.
Hope this helps!
Both [1] [2] definitions from Oxford Dictionaries.
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way theBIGpredicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.
– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It's neither.
'a big lift' is just standard speech.
A metaphor is defined as:
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
a big lift does not fit here because it is literally applicable -- moving the bed will presumably be a big lift.
An idiom is defined as:
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
Definitely not this - the meaning is indeed deducible from the context.
I say it's standard speech. Highlighting the aforementioned phrase- Moving the bed will be a big lift, you can just see that it's a statement where the adjective big just describes the action of the lift.
If you were talking about weightlifting as a sport, it would be an idiom, as John Lawler has pointed out. But out of that context, it's just plain English.
Hope this helps!
Both [1] [2] definitions from Oxford Dictionaries.
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
It's neither.
'a big lift' is just standard speech.
A metaphor is defined as:
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
a big lift does not fit here because it is literally applicable -- moving the bed will presumably be a big lift.
An idiom is defined as:
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words
Definitely not this - the meaning is indeed deducible from the context.
I say it's standard speech. Highlighting the aforementioned phrase- Moving the bed will be a big lift, you can just see that it's a statement where the adjective big just describes the action of the lift.
If you were talking about weightlifting as a sport, it would be an idiom, as John Lawler has pointed out. But out of that context, it's just plain English.
Hope this helps!
Both [1] [2] definitions from Oxford Dictionaries.
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
edited 47 mins ago
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
answered 13 hours ago
LordologyLordology
1,444217
1,444217
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way theBIGpredicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.
– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way theBIGpredicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.
– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
Probably splitting hairs, but a more literal phrasing would be "moving the bed requires/involves a big lift (and then a little haul)." Since the task of moving the bed involves steps besides lifting (at least carrying and putting down), "moving the bed is a big lift" could be considered a synecdoche, which is a subspecies of metaphor.
– Juhasz
12 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
@Juhasz I understand synecdoche to mean a part of something representing the whole. I can't really see how this could be synecdoche, but maybe I'm just missing something.
– Lordology
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
In saying "moving the bed is a big a lift," you're reducing the task to one of its parts. This is similar to the phrase, "Einstein was a brilliant mind." Einstein was more than a mind, so describing him as a mind is a type of synecdoche. Maybe. Synecdoche describes a range of figurative speech. I think this qualifies, but I could be convinced otherwise.
– Juhasz
11 hours ago
1
1
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way the
BIG predicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.– John Lawler
11 hours ago
In the sports talk of weight-lifting, it is an idiom, a fixed phrase with a specific meaning. Outside that context it's just ordinary English referring to an event of lifting something heavy. The big can mean 'heavy' because that's the way the
BIG predicate works in modifying the noun lift. Big things are heavier, after all.– John Lawler
11 hours ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
@JohnLawler Thanks, I'll edit to clarify.
– Lordology
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Sara N. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sara N. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sara N. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sara N. is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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How far did a dictionary get you?
– WS2
13 hours ago
If, after the bed has been moved, your spirits are raised and the room acquires an exuberant atmosphere, then 'big lift' is a metaphor. If the big lift is a mighty effort then it's plain speech, as Lordology says.
– Hugh
12 hours ago
If meant in more than a literal sense, I would simply describe the phrase as a pun . . . (And if referencing weightlifting, it would be more a simile than a metaphor.)
– Jason Bassford
5 hours ago