Which of the following is a metaphor?

• A. A humorous exaggeration
• B. A direct statement of fact
• C. A rhetorical question
• D. A figure of speech that describes one thing as another

Answer: (D)

Metaphor works by describing one thing as another to create a vivid image or reveal a similarity that isn’t literally true. The choice that describes one thing as another fits this pattern, such as “time is a thief” where time isn’t literally a thief, but the phrasing conveys that it can steal moments from us. The other options point to different language devices: a humorous exaggeration is hyperbole, which exaggerates for effect; a direct statement of fact is literal; a rhetorical question is asked for emphasis rather than to describe. So describing one thing as another is the clear hallmark of a metaphor.