Questions tagged [analogy]
An analogy compares two subjects to focus on the similarities
181
questions
-1
votes
2
answers
118
views
Why was "type" the correct answer in "Often : frequently :: kind : _____"? [closed]
The question is:
Often : frequently :: kind : _____
or,
Often is to frequently as kind is to _____
And the options given were
kindly
type
The correct answer was type.
But why isn't kindly also ...
0
votes
0
answers
19
views
flying 'monkeys', organ grinder's 'monkey' - animal descriptors
How can I describe to someone what the term is for using a specific animal (in this example, the word 'monkey') when used with other words:
e.g. flying monkeys
e.g. organ grinder's monkey
Is this an ...
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
Looking for an analogy to describe a place as your playground?
I saw a line in writing that said “Google is my playground.” Essentially a place that gives them the reins to excersize their passions.
Does anyone know of a similar analogy?
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
What is a phrase or analogy for something that has both fixed and customizable parts?
I am looking for a way to describe to my students that some of their courses must be taken at a certain time while others can be taken whenever. Therefore, I am trying to give an example or phrase ...
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Use "which" or "what" in a sentence with a metaphor/analogy [duplicate]
I'm currently trying to translate a text in English, that I wrote in French. It is a bit complicating when it comes to my writing style, as in French we tend (I do) to use a lot of analogies and ...
0
votes
2
answers
69
views
Enter is to entrant as exit is to * [closed]
A person who enters something is called an entrant.
What is a person who exits something called?
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
word analogy - accelerate is to velocity as [closed]
Accelerate is to Velocity as
sound is to decibels
incarcerate is to prison
levitate is to elevation
commiserate is to weight
denigrate is to reputation
Please choose one option.
-3
votes
1
answer
832
views
Word analogy - terrify is to frighten as [closed]
Terrify is to frighten as...
demand is to request
explore is to ignore
brag is to scold
predator is to prey
chase is to capture
Please choose the closest option.
2
votes
2
answers
960
views
What is the cold version of spicy?
My boyfriend recently told me that my new mouthwash was "spicy". Is that the right word to describe a strong minty flavour?
Example sentence:
Hot sauce is to "spicy" as mint is to....
2
votes
2
answers
217
views
How do I call a word for audible equivalent of visualize? [duplicate]
I was looking for a word that would convey a similar meaning for "audio" as it is for "visualize." I ran into several suggestions, but as a former musician, I personally prefer the ...
0
votes
1
answer
408
views
Is there a word or frequently-used analogy for something that everyone does but nobody talks about?
There's a common saying that goes like this:
XYZ is like sex in high school, everyone's talking about it but nobody does it.
Is there a frequently-used analogy or word for the opposite of that? ...
1
vote
4
answers
602
views
What is a synonym for the phrase 'at odds' with someone or something?
I am writing a book and looking for some kind of figurative language to describe two people that are 'at odds' with each other.
When I say, 'at odds,' the context of my writing is: two characters that ...
1
vote
2
answers
81
views
Parable for an impossible idea or business plan
[Edit: I have asked the wrong question—my apologies. What I am looking for is not a single word, expression, or idiom. I am looking for a parable or an example of an analogy. Maybe a one-sentence, ...
1
vote
1
answer
54
views
Analogy of people observing something from different viewpoints without recognizing it's the same thing
I'm seeking to find this analogy which I vaguely recall.
A group of four or five different people are blindfolded and touch different parts of... something. I seem to recall that it was an animal, ...
5
votes
3
answers
655
views
What is the opposite of the "green thumb" but for technology/electronics?
As having a green thumb is someone who is good with plants, jokingly, the brown thumb could be used for someone who is bad with plants.
Is there an equivalent pair for being good/bad with technology/...
1
vote
2
answers
172
views
Irregular shape with projections and recesses that interlock with other shapes
What might be a word for the shape with a lot of random projections and recesses? I would like to describe the shape of countries in Europe where countries have interlocking shapes like distorted ...
0
votes
2
answers
896
views
Is this an analogy or metaphor or what? [duplicate]
From mathematics:
"Tensors eat vectors and spit out numbers."
Is this an analogy, metaphor or other named figure of speech?
-1
votes
1
answer
179
views
Confusion in analogy Hailstorm : Destruction :: Brainstorm :? [closed]
I am solving some problems in an analogy. At one point I have got the following analogy.
Hailstorm : Destruction :: Brainstorm : ?
a ) Construction b ) Innovation c) Neuroticism d) Disorientation
...
0
votes
2
answers
591
views
Is there another way to say, "drive the point in further?" or belabor the point?"
In a work I am writing, two characters are having a discussion that becomes quite heated. The man makes an observation about the woman that is less than flattering and then while she's still ...
1
vote
0
answers
237
views
What's the word for "expressing something completely unfamiliar in familiar terms"?
When a speaker is trying to express something that does not have the right representation is his language or even environment, they use something resembling an analogy or a metaphor. For example, ...
0
votes
2
answers
156
views
Opposite of "the league of extraordinary gentlemen"? [closed]
If "the league of extraordinary gentlemen" consists of good guys what do we call the analogue group consisting of bad (but not necessarily uncultivated) guys? I am thinking of members like Prof. ...
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Are analogies and metaphors both forms of comparison, with analogies being analytical thinking and metaphors being creative or lateral thinking?
Apologies for this one (I know it's been discussed quite a lot) but I've read quite a few of the responses on the difference between an analogy and a metaphor and just wanted to make sure I was on the ...
1
vote
7
answers
1k
views
Metaphor for conflict of interest
I'd like a metaphor/allegory which depicts a situation where one is compelled to not act. As an example (of such a situation), a company CEO, surrounded by and probably partial towards protecting ...
19
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Puzzling verbal analogy
I have two questions about this analogy from an SSAT practice test:
Silk is to worm as
A. honey is to bee
B. corn is to pop
C. bread is to wheat
D. egg is to chicken
E. ...
-2
votes
2
answers
541
views
Metaphor / Analogy for something that has both many ancestors and many offspring?
By ancestors, I mean entities and things that affected it and what it is.
By offspring, I mean the opposite - things that it affected and molded.
I thought of "spiderweb," but this would be referring ...
1
vote
0
answers
701
views
Analogy in and of itself (not metaphor or simile)
In the accepted answer to: The difference between an analogy and a metaphor? an insightful conclusion was reached that the analogy is what is expressed and the metaphor/simile are how it is expressed. ...
-1
votes
1
answer
544
views
Jump is to vault as jog is to ____ ?
This is a “verbal analogies” question, in case it is not clear of what it is, review the first two words and determine how they are related, select the word from the available answers that has the ...
1
vote
0
answers
2k
views
Which word best describes a story made up of analogies, metaphors and perhaps parables?
Which word (if any) best describes a complete story that is made up of analogies, metaphors and possibly some parables?
For example, if I was writing a story about someone's life journey, but writing ...
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
word or phrase for describing one that has much opportunities
Take "folly" for example, there is the term "fool" or "foolish" for the individual that does that folly, and the term "foolishness" that is the quality of being foolish or doing folly.
I am looking ...
7
votes
4
answers
542
views
'Patriotism' is to 'Country' as ______ is to 'Language'
I have been looking for a word to describe a group of people that are very loyal and passionate about their (native) language.
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Word for a shadow's owner
In our workflow, we sometimes have someone do duplicate work for someone else, and we call the duplicate work the "shadow" job. This led to a need for a term for the original work in the database, so ...
1
vote
2
answers
125
views
What do you say when referring to labor for an adverb?
Analogy:
Education : academically :: Labor : ?
I'm trying to fit in something to go here:
... not only do I have to do well academically, but also _____ (in my labor)
Parentheses not ...
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Word to describe rule of nepotism
If a rule of competence is meritocracy, is there a single word to denote a rule of nepotism, such as nepocracy?
1
vote
2
answers
167
views
Child is to parent as referent is to what?
The referent of a word or phrase in a sentence is the thing to which that word refers, e.g. in "The businessman greeted me," the referent of 'the businessman' is the person who said hello, and the ...
2
votes
2
answers
128
views
"Parent" is to "child" as "source" is to what?
I have a work question. In our attempt to give names to fields on a repair card we are now using the phrase "Source card" and "Child card".
My opinion is that it would be more logical to use "Parent ...
37
votes
8
answers
10k
views
"President" is to "presidential" as "moderator" is to what?
What word, if any, best completes the analogy?
Example usage (feel free to fiddle with this context/setting as desired):
Behavior was unbecoming of all participants in last night's prime-time [...
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to make a comparative analogy sentence [closed]
Is it correct to make an analogy like this?
"It's like throwing yourself into a lion's den!"
I'm not looking for any kind of idioms. In fact, I'm emphasizing on the usage of the first part of my ...
-1
votes
2
answers
106
views
"Perception" is to "recognition" as "execution" is to what?
I may not be using the right words for this analogy. "Perception" and "execution" are intended to have contrasting meanings.
By "perception" I mean the reception of data.
By "recognition" I mean the ...
3
votes
4
answers
419
views
Is there a SPORTS PHRASE [in particular, one relating to “soccer”] similar to "make sure all our bases are covered"?
The expression mentioned in my question’s title is a baseball reference, of course, which I fear could potentially limit its understandability to only those English speakers who are familiar with that ...
3
votes
2
answers
278
views
Single analogous word to "pedagogy" for learning
Merriam-Webster defines pedagogy as "the art, science, or profession of teaching."
The concepts don't seem to map very well, but is there a word such that:
pedagogy : teaching :: _____ : learning
1
vote
1
answer
149
views
“Mathematics” is to “mathematical” as “programming” is to what?
I thought of programmatic but that doesn't seem right because it puts too much stress on the automation side and not on the actual development and logical side of it.
A place to collect your ...
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Is there a word or expression for extrapolating an analogy way beyond the point where it makes sense?
An analogy is used to explain some concepts, and the points of comparison are limited and contextual. What if I am extending that analogy way beyond the point where it makes sense. What is the word or ...
-2
votes
3
answers
493
views
A town is to a county as a place is to a what? [closed]
I'm trying to find a generic term for the container of a place. E.G. a county contains a town or a country contains a state. So, what contains a place?
EDIT:
To add context to the question, I'm ...
2
votes
1
answer
424
views
Local : Global :: Localite :?
Context:
I want to indicate people who keep travelling around the world (sometimes as part of their jobs and sometimes to volunteer during a crisis) without settling down at a single country.
I came ...
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the meaning of "staring into the Ark of the Covenant" as a analogy?
Like in here, to describe something horribly ugly?
So Microsoft purchased a bit of middleware and fashioned it into
Direct3D Version 3. It was universally reviled. And with good reason;
looking ...
28
votes
7
answers
8k
views
"Country" is to "national" as "city" is to…
How would I say something on a city level in comparison to a provincial level or national level?
Elections are held nationally every four years, and _________ every two years.
0
votes
1
answer
397
views
Analogy Question [closed]
I need help completing the following analogy:
I've only tried Treasure and Jewelry for the blanks but it doesn't seem to make sense.
Pirates:Earrings:____
Pimps:____:Bail
???
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Meteor & Meteorite is to Meteoroid as A & B is to Asteroid?
In astronomy,
A meteoroid is what it is called before it enters a planet's atmosphere,
A meteor is what it is called after it enters a planet's atmosphere but before it hits the surface, and
A ...
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Horizontal analog of a meridian?
The lines going from pole to pole of the earth are meridians.
I know that the horizontal lines of latitude can be called "parallels." Is there another word for these?
3
votes
1
answer
963
views
Who's synonymous with lack of choice?
I'm trying to find a well-known person who was/is famous for not allowing any choices. Eg, Henry Ford going "you can have any color as long as it's black."
Ideas welcome!