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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Metaphor Quiz: Pick the Phrase That Isn't Literal

Quick, free metaphor test. Instant results with helpful examples.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Consuelo Sendino LaraUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with stylized text metaphor quiz challenge on coral background playful test of language skills

This metaphor quiz helps you spot nonliteral language quickly, choose the expression that is figurative, and build confidence as you read and write. After you finish, practice more with a simile or metaphor quiz, explore deeper with a metaphor examples quiz, or build range with metaphor and simile practice.

Which of the following is a metaphor?
Busy as a bee
She ran like the wind
The world is a stage
The wind howled
The phrase "The world is a stage" is a metaphor because it compares life directly to a theatrical performance without using "like" or "as." It equates "world" with "stage" to illustrate how people play roles in everyday life. The other options represent different figures of speech: "She ran like the wind" and "Busy as a bee" are similes, while "The wind howled" is personification. For more details on metaphors, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
He's as hungry as a bear
The sun smiled down on us
It smelled like a rose
Time is money
In "Time is money," time is directly compared to money, showing it as a valuable commodity without using comparison words like "like" or "as." This direct comparison is the hallmark of a metaphor. The other choices include similes and personification rather than metaphors. Learn more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The trees whispered
Louder than thunder
She has a heart of stone
White as snow
"She has a heart of stone" is a metaphor because it equates "heart" with "stone" to imply emotional coldness directly. It does not use "like" or "as," which would make it a simile. The other options illustrate different figures of speech: simile and personification. For more examples, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
As busy as a bee
The alarm clock was a rude awakening
He slept like a log
The leaves danced on the ground
"The alarm clock was a rude awakening" is a metaphor comparing waking up abruptly to a rude surprise without using "like" or "as." The phrase directly swaps one idea for another to make a point. The other options include simile and personification instead. For more on metaphors, check .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Her smile is like sunshine
I'm starving to death
The car coughed to life
He is a shining star
"He is a shining star" compares a person to a star, indicating prominence or talent, without using "like" or "as," which makes it a metaphor. The other choices are simile, personification, and hyperbole. This direct comparison is key to recognizing metaphors. Read more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
His words were a soothing balm
The thunder grumbled in the distance
She danced like a leaf on the wind
Faster than a speeding bullet
"His words were a soothing balm" is a metaphor that equates words to balm to convey comfort directly. It does not use "like" or "as," distinguishing it from similes. The other options showcase simile, personification, and hyperbole. For a deeper dive, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Quiet as a mouse
He brags a mile a minute
The alarm screamed for attention
The city was a jungle
"The city was a jungle" is a metaphor because it equates the city with a jungle to suggest wildness and chaos. It directly replaces one idea with another for effect. The other options use simile, personification, and hyperbole. For more, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Her voice is music to his ears
Cold as ice
The car groaned under the load
As bright as a button
"Her voice is music to his ears" metaphorically compares her voice to music to show pleasure or comfort. It does not use "like" or "as," which makes it a metaphor. The other choices are simile and personification. For additional context, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
He is stronger than an ox
Life is a rollercoaster
The fridge moaned
He fought like a lion
"Life is a rollercoaster" is a metaphor because it directly equates life with a rollercoaster ride to show ups and downs. There is no use of "like" or "as," distinguishing it from a simile. The other options display simile and personification. Learn more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The stars danced in the sky
Time is a thief
Richer than Croesus
Quiet as a mouse
"Time is a thief" is a metaphor that portrays time as something that steals moments from us. It makes this direct comparison without using "like" or "as." The other options are idioms, personification, and simile. See more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The test was a breeze
He's got a memory like an elephant
She sleeps like a log
The sun hugged the horizon
"The test was a breeze" is a metaphor that equates the test to a gentle wind, indicating ease without using "like" or "as." The comparison is direct and figurative. The other phrases are simile and personification. More examples can be found at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
As clear as crystal
The wind sang through the trees
Their home was a prison
Runs like clockwork
"Their home was a prison" is a metaphor comparing a home to a prison to highlight restriction. It does so directly without "like" or "as." The other options use simile and personification. For further reading, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The river swallowed the land
Bigger than life
He eats like a bird
The school was a zoo
"The school was a zoo" is a metaphor that equates the chaotic atmosphere of a school to a zoo. It's a direct comparison without using "like" or "as." The other choices are simile, personification, and hyperbole. To learn more, check out .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Faster than light
Her eyes were stars
Cold as stone
The coffee whispered secrets
"Her eyes were stars" directly compares eyes to stars to suggest brightness or sparkle. It does not use "like" or "as," making it a metaphor. The other phrases include simile and personification. For additional details, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
He's the black sheep of the family
Happy as a clam
Hotter than hell
The rain pounded on the roof
"He's the black sheep of the family" is a metaphor that equates a person with a black sheep to express difference or exclusion. The comparison is direct and figurative. The other options are simile, personification, and hyperbole. Learn more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Lightning danced across the sky
The moon was a ghostly galleon
Sweet as honey
Sharper than a razor
"The moon was a ghostly galleon" creatively compares the moon to a ship at sea, making it a metaphor. There's no use of "like" or "as," indicating a direct figurative comparison. The other options are simile and personification. For more on metaphors, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The leaves applauded the performer
Louder than ever
She shined like a diamond
He has a mountain of work
"He has a mountain of work" is a metaphor that equates the amount of work with a mountain to convey enormity. It is a direct comparison without using "like" or "as." The other choices feature simile and personification. For further examples, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The sun wept tears of joy
Busy as a bee
Faster than a speeding bullet
The world is your oyster
"The world is your oyster" is a metaphor suggesting that life offers many opportunities, directly comparing the world to an oyster. It does not use comparative words like "like" or "as." The other options are simile, personification, and hyperbole. More details at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
She drowned in a sea of grief
Tough as nails
The car groaned under strain
Hotter than the sun
"She drowned in a sea of grief" is a metaphor comparing overwhelming sorrow to being submerged at sea. This direct comparison creates vivid imagery. The other phrases are simile and personification or hyperbole. For more, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Quiet as a mouse
Bigger than life
Time flies when you're having fun
His mind is a battlefield
"His mind is a battlefield" directly compares mental struggles to a battlefield to convey conflict and tension. It doesn't use "like" or "as," solidifying its status as a metaphor. The other options are simile and personification or hyperbole. Learn more at .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
He's as light as a feather
Richer than Croesus
The stars winked at us
The project is a ticking time bomb
"The project is a ticking time bomb" is a metaphor comparing the potential crisis to an explosive device, implying urgency. It's a direct comparison without "like" or "as." The other responses illustrate simile, personification, and idiom. For more, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
The thunder tiptoed through the valley
Words are weapons
Sharper than a tack
She is as busy as a bee
"Words are weapons" equates words with weapons to show their power and potential harm. This direct comparison without "like" or "as" is a clear metaphor. The other options are simile and personification or hyperbole. For more details, check .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
That idea is the foundation of our success
The river ran wild
He could lift a house
As proud as a peacock
"That idea is the foundation of our success" compares an idea to a structural base, showing its importance. It's a direct metaphor without using "like" or "as." The other answers demonstrate simile, personification, and hyperbole. For more examples, visit .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
He roared like a lion
The wind whispered secrets
She swims like a fish
Democracy is the ship that must navigate stormy seas
"Democracy is the ship that must navigate stormy seas" is a metaphor portraying democracy as a vessel facing challenges. It creates a direct analogy without "like" or "as." The other phrases are simile and personification. To explore more, see .
Which of the following is a metaphor?
Loud as thunder
The flowers danced in the breeze
Ideas are seeds that grow into actions
Time drags on
"Ideas are seeds that grow into actions" is a metaphor definitively comparing ideas to seeds to illustrate how they develop. There's no use of "like" or "as," marking it as a metaphor. The other choices are personification and similes. For additional context, visit .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Metaphorical Expressions -

    Pick the expression that is a metaphor from a set of options, strengthening your ability to spot figurative language with confidence.

  2. Distinguish Literal vs. Figurative Language -

    Analyze sentences to determine if they answer "is this a metaphor," helping you separate literal statements from evocative comparisons.

  3. Analyze Contextual Clues -

    Examine surrounding words and scenarios to interpret the intended meaning behind each metaphorical question.

  4. Apply Metaphor Recognition Strategies -

    Use proven techniques from metaphor practice to accurately identify metaphors in diverse texts and quizzes.

  5. Enhance Figurative Language Usage -

    Develop your own creative metaphors and understand their impact, boosting both your writing and analytical skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Metaphor Essentials -

    Metaphors make implicit comparisons by stating one thing is another to create vivid imagery without using "like" or "as." According to the Stanford University Writing Center (2022), a clear example is "Her voice was music to his ears," which highlights how metaphorical language enriches meaning. Recognizing these direct substitutions is key to mastering any metaphorical question.

  2. Distinguishing Tenor and Vehicle -

    Every metaphor has a tenor (the subject) and a vehicle (the figurative image) that together convey deeper meaning. For instance, in "The world is a stage," the world is the tenor and stage is the vehicle (Oxford English Dictionary, 2023). Practicing this breakdown helps you pick the expression that is a metaphor with precision.

  3. Dead vs. Living Metaphors -

    Dead metaphors (e.g., "the arm of a chair") are so common we overlook their figurative roots, while living metaphors (e.g., "ideas blossom in winter") spark fresh imagery (Purdue OWL, 2023). Spotting this difference during metaphor practice boosts your analytical skills by tuning into novelty and creativity. Regularly challenging yourself with fresh examples keeps your metaphor savvy sharp.

  4. Leveraging Context Clues for "Is This a Metaphor" -

    When you face a metaphorical question, look for descriptive or unexpected language that shifts meaning beyond the literal. By examining surrounding sentences - tone, emphasis, and emotional weight - you can pick the expression that is a metaphor more confidently (Cambridge English Dictionary, 2023). This context-driven approach makes quiz time feel like a fun puzzle.

  5. Metaphor Practice and Mnemonic Tricks -

    Build your skills by regularly scanning poetry, song lyrics, and literary excerpts for hidden comparisons - this active metaphor practice cements recognition. Try the mnemonic "Metaphors MOLD Meaning" to remember they Morph Objects Linking Descriptions. For extra polish, review resources from the Harvard College Writing Center (2021) to refine your analysis.

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