what figure of speech is "it is a lovely little bright snake of a word"
If it's a comparison of two unlike things, it's a simile if "like" or "as" is used and a metaphor if those words are not used.
What do you think?
The figure of speech used in the phrase "it is a lovely little bright snake of a word" is called a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that involves making a comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that one thing is another. In this case, the word is being compared to a snake, emphasizing its qualities of being small, beautiful, and eye-catching.
To identify the figure of speech in a sentence or phrase, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the words or phrases that may suggest a comparison.
2. Determine if the comparison goes beyond a simple literal interpretation.
3. Consider if the comparison creates a vivid image or adds depth to the meaning.
In this example, the use of "snake" to describe the word goes beyond a literal interpretation, creates a vivid image, and adds depth to its meaning. Therefore, it is a metaphor.