What figure of speech is the following statement?
"If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"
A friend said that to me today.
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3I'd say it's just a metaphor - a figure of speech containing an implied comparison, in which a word or phrase ordinarily and primarily used of one thing is applied to another. But note that although the underlying reference is to apes/chimps/etc. engaging in "mutual grooming" to the benefit of each, the metaphor only really invokes that (socially) beneficial activity, not the simian nature of the normal literal participants. – FumbleFingers Jun 20 '17 at 13:05
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1You understand that if you help me in my area of need, then I will repay you in your need, which may be a different area? – Yosef Baskin Jun 20 '17 at 13:15
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What do you mean by "what"? That is, what are you asking about - the type of figure (see FF's comment), the meaning of the idiom (see YB's comment), or something else? – Lawrence Jun 20 '17 at 13:40
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Looking around: Wiktionary calls it a "proverb," which isn't much help.
I view this as an idiom, and a published book agrees with me. Quote:
