TRI DUC ENGLISH ✦ ACADEMIC EDGE UNIT 9 EDITION Metaphors and Idioms Light & Darkness · War & Conflict — Mastering figurative language in academia 📖 What is a Metaphor? A metaphor is a way of using language which describes something by indirectly comparing it to something else with similar characteristics. For example, you might say an academic 'attacks' or 'demolishes' someone's theory or argument, just as an army can attack an enemy or workers can demolish a building. If a metaphor is used so often that the original force of the comparison is lost then it may be called an idiom. For example, people often use the idiom 'I'm snowed under with work at the moment'. Originally this was a metaphor based on the idea of a great deal of work having the characteristics of 'snow' (deep, overwhelming everything else and making movement difficult). However, this expression has been used so frequently that it no longer gives people a mental picture of snow. 💡 A. Metaphors and idioms referring to light and darkness Metaphor / Idiom Example in Context Meaning shed (new) light on (or cast/throw light on) The present experimental data may shed (new) light on the formation of the planets. provide an explanation for it which makes it easier to understand in (the) light of Views on depression have changed in (the) light of recent studies of the brain. because of illuminate Novelists, poets and essayists often use history to illuminate their understanding of human behaviour. show more clearly something that is difficult to understand elucidate Animal models can be used to elucidate basic principles of the developmental origins of adult diseases. explain or make clear (from the Latin lucidus meaning 'clear') glaring The report revealed the glaring discrepancy between patients' needs and what the health service can offer them... something bad that is very obvious (to glare means to shine too brightly) highlighted ...and highlighted the need for a new approach. emphasised something important shines a light on The report shines a light on the questions surrounding child care and provides crucial data. focuses on remain in the dark ...researchers remain in the dark about what can ensure successful recovery from addiction. continue in a state of not knowing something in the shadow of The book dealt with economic policy in the shadow of the Civil War of 1994-1999. in a situation where somethin...