Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Structural Metaphor

Definition: 

A structural metaphor is a conventional metaphor in which one concept is understood and expressed in terms of another structured, sharply defined concept

Examples: 

(English)

Here are some examples of the argument-as-war structural metaphor:

  • Your claims are indefensible.
  • He attacked every weak point in my argument.
  • His criticisms were right on target.
  • demolished his argument.
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