Being an adult is a unique and often challenging experience. It comes with responsibilities, decisions, and many life lessons. Sometimes, to explain the experience of adulthood, people use metaphors. These metaphors help express the ups and downs of life in ways that are easier to understand. Instead of simply saying “adults have responsibilities,” we might use metaphors like “carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders” or “being at the crossroads of life.” These comparisons help paint a clearer picture of the complexities that adults face daily.
In this article, we will explore 40 metaphors for adults. These metaphors will give us creative ways to talk about the different aspects of adulthood, from the challenges to the rewards. Let’s dive into how these metaphors can make it easier to understand the world of adults
Metaphors for Adults
1. Carrying the weight of the world
Meaning: Taking on heavy responsibilities.
Samples: As a parent, she feels like she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. / He’s always working hard, carrying the weight of the world with his job.
To Put it Another Way: She’s responsible for many things. / He feels burdened by his duties.
2. At the crossroads of life
Meaning: Facing a big decision or change in life.
Samples: After losing his job, he was at the crossroads of life, unsure of what path to take. / She stood at the crossroads of life, deciding whether to move to a new city.
To Put it Another Way: He had to make an important choice. / She was facing a big decision.
3. Wearing many hats
Meaning: Taking on multiple roles or responsibilities.
Samples: As a manager, she’s always wearing many hats, balancing meetings, emails, and tasks. / He wears many hats at home: father, cook, and handyman.
To Put it Another Way: She has many different jobs. / He juggles multiple responsibilities.
4. Climbing the corporate ladder
Meaning: Advancing in a career or job.
Samples: After years of hard work, he’s finally climbing the corporate ladder at his company. / She’s focused on climbing the corporate ladder to reach a top position.
To Put it Another Way: He’s working his way up in the company. / She’s moving forward in her career.
5. A rollercoaster ride
Meaning: An experience full of ups and downs.
Samples: Parenting can be a rollercoaster ride. One minute you’re celebrating, and the next, you’re handling a meltdown. / His career has been a rollercoaster ride, with many challenges and successes.
To Put it Another Way: Life has its highs and lows. / His journey has been full of surprises.
6. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control of a situation or decision.
Samples: After years of working for others, she’s now in the driver’s seat of her own company. / He’s in the driver’s seat now, making all the important decisions.
To Put it Another Way: She has control of the situation. / He is leading the way.
7. A workhorse
Meaning: Someone who is very hardworking and dependable.
Samples: He’s a workhorse, always putting in extra hours to get the job done. / She’s the office workhorse, handling everything without complaint.
To Put it Another Way: He’s very dedicated to his work. / She’s reliable and hardworking.
8. Burning the midnight oil
Meaning: Working late into the night.
Samples: He had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline for his project. / She’s been burning the midnight oil, trying to finish her work before the weekend.
To Put it Another Way: He stayed up late working. / She worked through the night to get it done.
9. Spinning plates
Meaning: Juggling multiple tasks or responsibilities.
Samples: As a parent, he’s constantly spinning plates, making sure everyone’s needs are met. / She’s been spinning plates, balancing work and family life.
To Put it Another Way: She’s managing many things at once. / He’s trying to keep everything moving smoothly.
10. Facing the music
Meaning: Confronting the consequences of one’s actions.
Samples: After missing the meeting, he had to face the music with his boss. / She had to face the music when she realized her mistake.
To Put it Another Way: He had to deal with the consequences. / She faced the consequences of her actions.
11. Living on the edge
Meaning: Taking risks or living in an exciting, dangerous way.
Samples: After years of stability, he decided to start his own business, living on the edge. / She’s been living on the edge, always seeking new thrills and adventures.
To Put it Another Way: He’s living a risky life. / She’s always looking for excitement.
12. A jack of all trades
Meaning: Someone who is skilled at many different tasks.
Samples: He’s a jack of all trades, fixing cars, building furniture, and helping with household repairs. / She’s a jack of all trades at work, always volunteering for different projects.
To Put it Another Way: He’s good at many things. / She’s versatile and skilled in different areas.
13. The weight of the world
Meaning: A feeling of being overwhelmed by responsibilities.
Samples: As a single parent, she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. / He feels the weight of the world with the pressure of his job and family.
To Put it Another Way: She feels overwhelmed. / He’s burdened by his responsibilities.
14. Living in the fast lane
Meaning: Living a busy, sometimes reckless, lifestyle.
Samples: He’s been living in the fast lane, constantly moving between work, travel, and social events. / She’s living in the fast lane, working hard and playing even harder.
To Put it Another Way: He’s always rushing through life. / She’s leading a fast-paced life.
15. At the helm
Meaning: Being in control of a situation or organization.
Samples: He’s at the helm of the company now, steering it toward new opportunities. / She’s at the helm of the team, making important decisions for the project.
To Put it Another Way: He’s leading the way. / She’s in charge of the situation.
16. Building bridges
Meaning: Connecting people or ideas, often to resolve conflicts or create partnerships.
Samples: As a manager, he’s great at building bridges between different teams. / She spent years building bridges with her colleagues, creating strong partnerships.
To Put it Another Way: He’s bringing people together. / She’s helping others connect.
17. In the thick of it
Meaning: Deeply involved in something, especially in a difficult situation.
Samples: He’s in the thick of it right now, managing a big project at work. / She’s in the thick of it with her new business, working around the clock.
To Put it Another Way: He’s deeply involved in the situation. / She’s completely immersed in her work.
18. A guiding light
Meaning: A person or thing that provides direction and inspiration.
Samples: His mentor has been a guiding light throughout his career, offering advice and support. / She became a guiding light for her community, helping others with her wisdom.
To Put it Another Way: He’s a source of inspiration. / She’s showing others the way.
19. The heart of the operation
Meaning: The central, most important part of a system or organization.
Samples: She’s the heart of the operation, keeping everything running smoothly at work. / He’s the heart of the team, ensuring that everyone works together.
To Put it Another Way: She’s crucial to the success. / He’s the main source of energy in the project.
20. Taking the reins
Meaning: Taking control or leadership of something.
Samples: After the CEO left, he had to take the reins and lead the company. / She’s ready to take the reins of the family business.
To Put it Another Way: He’s stepping up to lead. / She’s taking charge.
21. A shoulder to lean on
Meaning: Someone who provides emotional support.
Samples: She’s always been a shoulder to lean on for her friends during tough times. / He’s the shoulder to lean on at work, helping everyone stay calm during stressful situations.
To Put it Another Way: She’s a source of comfort. / He’s there for others when they need help.
22. A rock in a storm
Meaning: A person who remains strong and dependable in difficult times.
Samples: During the family crisis, she was a rock in the storm, keeping everyone calm and focused. / He’s been a rock in the storm, offering stability in uncertain times.
To Put it Another Way: She was the stable force. / He remained steady through challenges.
23. The road less traveled
Meaning: Choosing a less common or unconventional path in life.
Samples: He decided to take the road less traveled by starting his own business instead of working for someone else. / She’s taking the road less traveled, pursuing a career in the arts.
To Put it Another Way: He’s choosing a different path. / She’s stepping off the beaten path.
24. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: A refreshing change, often in a person or environment.
Samples: After a stressful week, a weekend getaway was a breath of fresh air for them. / His new approach to leadership was a breath of fresh air in the company.
To Put it Another Way: It was a welcome change. / His ideas brought new energy to the team.
25. The grindstone
Meaning: A situation where someone is working hard and continuously.
Samples: She’s been keeping her nose to the grindstone, working extra hours to finish the project. / He had his nose to the grindstone all week, preparing for the presentation.
To Put it Another Way: She’s working tirelessly. / He’s dedicated to his tasks.
26. In the driver’s seat of life
Meaning: Having control over your life or decisions.
Samples: After years of uncertainty, she finally feels like she’s in the driver’s seat of her life. / He’s in the driver’s seat, making decisions for his future.
To Put it Another Way: She’s in control of her destiny. / He’s steering his life in the direction he wants.
27. The backbone of the family
Meaning: The person who provides support and strength to the family.
Samples: His mother is the backbone of the family, always holding everyone together. / She’s the backbone of the family, making sure everyone is taken care of.
To Put it Another Way: She’s the pillar of the family. / He is the foundation that supports everyone.
28. Swimming against the current
Meaning: Going against the flow or doing something difficult.
Samples: She was swimming against the current, trying to change the company’s outdated policies. / He felt like he was swimming against the current, going against the norms of society.
To Put it Another Way: She’s challenging the status quo. / He’s doing something difficult or unusual.
29. The salt of the earth
Meaning: A person who is humble, honest, and good-hearted.
Samples: He’s the salt of the earth, always helping his neighbors and doing what’s right. / She’s the salt of the earth, known for her kindness and generosity.
To Put it Another Way: He’s a genuine, good person. / She’s down-to-earth and caring.
30. Building castles in the air
Meaning: Dreaming of impossible or unrealistic things.
Samples: He was building castles in the air, imagining he could change the world overnight. / She has a habit of building castles in the air instead of focusing on practical solutions.
To Put it Another Way: He’s dreaming of something impossible. / She’s imagining something that can’t happen.
31. Treading water
Meaning: Trying to stay afloat or keep up without making progress.
Samples: He felt like he was treading water at his job, doing the same thing every day with no advancement. / She’s treading water, stuck in the same routine without change.
To Put it Another Way: He’s staying in the same place. / She’s not making any progress.
32. A long road ahead
Meaning: A difficult or long journey still to be completed.
Samples: After the setback, he realized he had a long road ahead to get back on track. / She knew there was a long road ahead to finish her degree.
To Put it Another Way: There’s still much to do. / The challenge is far from over.
33. In the twilight years
Meaning: The later years of life, often associated with retirement or aging.
Samples: He spent his twilight years traveling the world with his wife. / They’re enjoying their twilight years after retiring from their careers.
To Put it Another Way: He’s in the final stage of his life. / They’re enjoying their retirement.
34. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
Samples: After the meeting, the ball is in your court to make the final decision. / She gave him all the information, and now the ball is in his court.
To Put it Another Way: It’s up to you now. / The next move is yours to make.
35. Living in the shadow of someone
Meaning: Being overshadowed by someone else’s success or influence.
Samples: He’s always living in the shadow of his older brother, who has accomplished so much. / She feels like she’s living in the shadow of her mentor’s success.
To Put it Another Way: He can’t escape his sibling’s success. / She’s always compared to her mentor.
36. The road to success
Meaning: The path or journey taken to achieve success.
Samples: The road to success isn’t easy, but with hard work, it’s worth it. / He’s finally on the road to success after years of struggle.
To Put it Another Way: It’s a journey toward achieving goals. / He’s working his way to success.
37. Under the microscope
Meaning: Being closely examined or scrutinized.
Samples: As a public figure, he is always under the microscope, with everyone watching his every move. / She felt like she was under the microscope at work, being judged for every decision.
To Put it Another Way: He’s being watched carefully. / She’s under intense scrutiny.
38. A foot in the door
Meaning: Getting an initial opportunity or opening, often to bigger opportunities.
Samples: Her internship gave her a foot in the door to a full-time job at the company. / He managed to get a foot in the door of the tech industry with his first job.
To Put it Another Way: She got her first chance. / He found an entry point into the industry.
39. A fork in the road
Meaning: A point where a decision must be made, leading to different outcomes.
Samples: She reached a fork in the road when deciding between two job offers. / He faced a fork in the road and had to choose between two different career paths.
To Put it Another Way: She had to make an important choice. / He was at a decision point.
40. A voice of reason
Meaning: A person who offers calm, logical advice during difficult times.
Samples: He was the voice of reason in the middle of the heated argument. / She served as the voice of reason when the team was uncertain about the project.
To Put it Another Way: He provided sensible advice. / She was the calm and logical one.
Find the Topics: Metaphors for Adults
Reading Passage: “The Struggles and Triumphs of Adulthood”
As a young adult, Sarah was often told that adulthood would be a “rollercoaster ride.” At first, it didn’t seem so bad, but as she took on more responsibilities, she quickly learned what people meant. There were days when she felt like she was carrying the weight of the world, balancing work, family, and her personal goals. But there were also moments when things seemed to be going the right way, and she felt like she was in the driver’s seat, making all the decisions that would shape her future.
Still, adulthood wasn’t always easy. There were times when she felt like a ship lost at sea, unsure of what direction to take next. During these moments, she often had to face the music and confront the tough realities of life. But with the support of her friends and family, she learned to push through, feeling more like a workhorse, constantly grinding away to build her career and secure her future.
One thing Sarah knew for sure: the road ahead would be long and full of challenges, but she wasn’t afraid to take the reins. As she moved forward, she kept reminding herself to never lose sight of the bigger picture, knowing that sometimes you have to keep spinning plates just to stay afloat.
Your Task:
Underline or list all the metaphors for adulthood you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Carrying the weight of the world
- In the driver’s seat
- Like a ship lost at sea
- Face the music
- A workhorse
- Long and full of challenges
- Take the reins
- Spinning plates
Conclusion
Adulthood comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. From carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders to being in the driver’s seat of your own life, the journey of growing up is full of twists and turns. Metaphors like these help us express the emotional and physical experiences that come with adulthood. They allow us to better understand the hard work, the decisions, and the constant balancing act that adults face every day.
By using metaphors, we can more easily relate to the ups and downs of adult life. Whether you’re spinning plates, facing the music, or taking the reins, adulthood is a journey of continuous growth and change. Embrace the ride, and remember that no matter how challenging it may seem, every day is an opportunity to learn and grow.
