Metaphors and sound

Techniques > Use of language > Metaphor > Metaphors and sound

Goodness | Energy | Coherence | See also

We make great use of our sense of hearing in everyday life, which makes it a useful medium for expressing metaphors. Sounds can be divided into roughly two categories: words and non-verbals. Within these, words can be a jumble or make coherent sense. Other sounds can be pleasant, such as music

Goodness

A nice sound is pleasant on the ears and this can be used to make other things appear pleasant also.

It was music to my ears.

His words rang true.

It was her magnum opus.

Energy

Sound can also have intensity, which can be used in appropriate metaphors.

She burst into a peal of laughter.

He roared in delight.

I drummed the rules into them.

Coherence

Music works by specific rules, as does speech. When the rules are broken, we get cacophony and a disturbing inability to make sense.

It's all just noise to me, I'm afraid.

They worked in perfect harmony.

And all that jazz.