Personification – to give human qualities to something not human
The snowflake danced as it spun from the sky.
My computer threw a fit when the power went out.
The moon winked at me when it peeked out from behind the lazy clouds.
The old door moaned as I turned the knob.
The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.
I could hear Hawaii calling my name.
Opportunity is knocking at your door.
The cursor danced across the computer screen.
The sun smiled across the world.
The wave threw itself onto the rocks.
The rocket ship jumped into space.
The pencil skipped across the paper.
Trees bowed their heads in the wind.
The car groaned into third gear.
Night wrapped its dark arms around the city.
The frog sang its throaty song in the moonlight.
Clouds waltzed in their dance across the sky.
My shadow played peek-a-boo with the sunshine.
The shadow stalked the human.
The gentle wind whispered my name.
Cool breezes slapped playfully at the tree leaves.
Simile – a comparison of two unlike things, using LIKE or AS
The fruit was as fresh as spring dew.
The moss on the grass was as springy as a plush carpet.
Doing my chores was as painful as being stuck by needles.
Mr. Jones was as thin as a toothpick.
He ran the race like a speeding bullet.
The castle was like a mountain in the shadows.
She was as pretty as a picture.
An emerald is as green as grass.
She sings like a bird.
He’s as fit as a fiddle.
She’s as gentle as a lamb.
You are growing like a weed.
She was as pale as a ghost.
She cried like a baby.
Your smile is like sunshine.
It fits like a glove.
The wet rooftops shone like mirrors in the sun.
Hyperbole – an exaggerated statement used as a figure of speech
It took me forever to do my homework last night.
I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!
That tree is so tall it’s touching the clouds!
My mom will kill me if I don’t do my homework!
I’m thinking so hard my brain hurts.
My sister wears buckets of make-up.
I’ll just die if I can’t get those jeans I want!
His white teeth blinded me.
I’ve seen that movie a thousand times.
That man is ancient!
You scared me half to death.
Allusion – a reference to a well know place, person, event, or literature
Slow down, Speed Racer!
You are a real Honest Abe today.
His TV is a total IMAX screen.
The SSC is the Alcatraz of Sakai.
You were a regular Beckham when you made that goal.
He’s got that Justin Bieber sparkle in his eye.
Great answer, Einstein.
Your house is a Taj Mahal!
He thinks of himself as a modern-day Romeo.
My bike manual is like a Bible to me.
He drove that car like Mario Andretti.
My dad is a real Scrooge when it comes to spending money.
Those three boys are real Stooges.
Thanks for telling on me…Benedict Arnold.
She was a serene Buddha in the midst of the chaos.
Her history essay was like War and Peace.
Her hair was as long as the Nile.
Metaphor – a direct comparison of two unlike things, saying something IS something else
Her hair is a rat’s nest on top of her head.
You were a warrior on the football field today.
The rain was a steady waterfall on my roof.
Her father’s house was a prison she wished to escape.
My life is a dream.
That boy is a pig.
She was a breath of spring.
The wolf's eyes were burning embers in the night.
The moon was a ghostly ship sailing on cloudy seas.
My dad is a bear when he’s mad!
Our cat was a bolt of lightning.
Her dress was a rainbow of color.
Life is a highway and I want to drive it…
His bedroom is a junkyard.
Olivia is an angel.
Onomatopoeia – a word that represents the exact sound something makes
Snip, sploosh, clip-clop, crackle, cluck, fizzle, boing, whoosh, choo-choo, zing, buzz, zap, sizzle, oink, boom,
meow, kerplunk, hiss, wham, zip, vroom, ribit!
Idiom – a phrase or expression in which the words are not meant literally. The phrase has a connotation (different
meaning).
Has the cat got your tongue?
Don’t put the cart before the horse.
Hold your horses.
It’s all Greek to me.
Quit beating a dead horse.
Be careful not to put your foot in your mouth.
Break a leg!
Time sure flies.
You need to put your nose to the grindstone.
That’s a piece of cake!
Let’s not open that can of worms.
You’ve got a green thumb.
It’s raining cats and dogs.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Don’t spill the beans.
You’re the apple of my eye.
Now you’re in the doghouse!
Birds of a feather flock together.
He kicked the bucket.
He’s under the weather today.
You need to toe the line.
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
She’s making me jump through hoops.
I just wanted to pick your brain.