a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
"The teacher explained that describing time as money was a metaphor because time cannot actually be spent like currency, yet the comparison highlights how valuable each moment feels."
The use of a word or phrase to refer to something other than its literal meaning, invoking an implicit similarity between the thing described and what is denoted by the word or phrase.
"The teacher explained that her description of time as a thief was a metaphor because it didn't mean anyone stole seconds but rather suggested they disappeared quickly."
To use a metaphor.
"She didn't just describe the storm; she used a vivid metaphor to make us feel its chaos."
The word metaphor comes from the Ancient Greek metaphora, meaning "a carrying over." It is built from roots that mean "to transfer" or "to carry across."