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Meaning and metaphor A
Multiple meanings
Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. Often, the basic meaning relates to some physical action, while other meanings are metaphorical (i.e. they are figurative, not literal). For example, the meanings in the grey boxes below are literal and the others are figurative. phrasal verb
run over
brush sth/sb off
B
definition of phrasal verb
example
hit sth/sb with a moving vehicle and injure or kill them
I ran over a rabbit as I was driving home. It really upset me.
go on after its expected time
The meeting ran over so I missed my train.
read quickly to make sure something is correct
Could we just run over the schedule again to make sure it’s all going to work?
use a brush (or hand) to remove something
I brushed off the dust from my shoes.
refuse to listen to what someone says, or refuse to think about something seriously
The boss just brushed him off and told him to get back to work.
Examples of metaphors based on quick or violent actions The price of petrol has shot up this year. [gone up rapidly and sharply] I don’t want to just dive into a new job without carefully considering it. [start doing something suddenly and energetically without thinking about it] The leader of the opposition party has hit out at the government’s new proposals on tax. [strongly criticised, typical of journalism] My success in the exam spurred me on to study even harder. [spurs are worn on the ankle and are used to make a horse go faster; here the meaning is ‘encouraged me’]
C
Metaphors and context The context will usually tell you that a verb is being used in a metaphorical way. Look at these extracts from the advice column of a magazine which use phrasal verbs metaphorically rather than literally.
Don’t just stand by and let others have all the fun. It’s time to strike out on your own and do something completely different. Sweep aside all your inhibitions and start living life to the full. It all boils down to whether you are prepared to take control of life or let life control you. D
You must find the strength to drag yourself away from your domestic responsibilities for a short while and stop feeling sandwiched between your family and your career. Doing everything singlehanded is eating into all your free time and you need time to think. You can’t be expected to soldier on on your own any longer.
More examples of phrasal verbs used metaphorically She searched in her bag and fished out an old photograph. We wandered round the old market, just drinking in the atmosphere. He spends hours glued to his computer every evening. We found this vase when we were just nosing around in an antique shop. People were flooding into the stadium two hours before the concert.
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English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
