Question

Which of the following is an example of a metaphor?

• A. He runs like a cheetah
• B. The classroom was noisy
• C. Time is a thief
• D. She is very intelligent

Hint:

To distinguish between metaphors and similes quickly:
Metaphor = A is B.
Simile = A is like B.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question asks us to identify which option is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares one thing to another for rhetorical effect, stating that one thing is another, even though it is not literally true. This comparison often helps create a vivid image or idea in the listener’s or reader’s mind.

• He runs like a cheetah: This is a simile, not a metaphor. Similes use "like" or "as" to compare two things, whereas metaphors do not.
• The classroom was noisy: This is a straightforward descriptive sentence and does not involve any figurative language.
• Time is a thief: This is a metaphor. It compares time to a thief, suggesting that time steals moments from our lives, highlighting the fleeting nature of time.
• She is very intelligent: This is a factual statement and not a figurative comparison, therefore not a metaphor.

Therefore, the correct answer is "Time is a thief" as it accurately employs a metaphor to give a figurative meaning to time by comparing it to a thief.