Question

How do you tell the difference between an idiom, a metaphor and a simile.

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom, metaphor and a simile are all types of figurative language. A Figurative language is such which refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order of meaning and delivers a complicated meaning, colourful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. It uses an ordinary sentence to refer to something indirectly without directly stating it.
We will see the difference between an idiom, a metaphor and a simile.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss the difference between an idiom, a metaphor and a simile.
Idiom: An idiom is a phrase or an expression that is commonly used and typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning that is attached to the phrase; but sometimes, some phrases become figurative idioms in the process of retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Idioms are categorised as formulaic language whose literal meaning is different than that of its stated meaning. Example: Let’s paint the town red. (This doesn’t mean to literally go on painting the entire town in red colour, it just means to have some fun).

Metaphor: A metaphor is a type of figure of speech that we use to describe an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps in expressing an idea or to make a comparison. A metaphor simply states that one thing is just another thing.
Use of Metaphors are in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some variation to their language. Example: Barley is a couch potato. (Here, the person is being compared to a potato potentially because of his lazy lifestyle).

Simile: A simile is a phrase that describes something by using a comparison. For example, we can compare “life” to “a garden of roses.” You will know you’ve spotted a simile when you will see comparative words like or as in a comparison. Example: white as snow.

Note: An idiom, a metaphor and a simile, all are figurative language. The difference lies in the fact that an idiom is a saying or a phrase that is used to describe a situation, a metaphor is an indirect comparison to describe something. And a simile is a direct comparison. Similes are like metaphors but not vice versa.