clock metaphor

USAGE SUMMARY

"clock metaphor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a comparison or analogy that uses the concept of a clock to represent or illustrate a complex idea. For example, "The clock metaphor can help us conceptualize the passage of time in a tangible way."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This great body of work accomplished in a span of three decades amply supports the inadequacy of Cartesian-clock metaphor in genetics.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The idea of exclusivity is the new coloured people fountain concept!" When questioned about his recent Beck-baiting conduct at the Grammys, West was unrepentant, and constructed an elaborate clock-based metaphor as his defence: "A broke clock is right twice a day, and the Grammys are so twice a day.

The Guardian - Music

Xan clocked the metaphor but found the piano - and the plot - a little wearing in Zhang Yimou's ghost story set in a China struggling to reconcile itself to its past.

The Guardian - Film

Therefore, we do not consider incense clock a suitable metaphor.

Stanford University

Journalists now have to add an extra coup de grâce ("Fiscal cliff crash") or double metaphor ("Clock is ticking for fiscal cliff") or raffish cartoons to juice things up.

The New York Times

The minute hand on the Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for how vulnerable to catastrophe the world is deemed to be.

BBC

As to the exhibit's central theme, Tankian has been interested in handless clocks as a metaphor for timelessness since the days of SOAD's 2005 double album, when he bought some antique clocks, broke the arms off and, "wrote poetry on them and gave them to the guys in the band as presents," he recalls.

Huffington Post

Using the water clock as a visualization metaphor, we can view memory as a copper kettle that contains data.

Stanford University

We are used to thinking about metaphors like "the biological clock" as if they were not metaphors at all, but simply neutral descriptions of facts about the human body.

The Guardian

"A lot of people have said that cogs and clocks are an obvious metaphor to use.

BBC

An alternative metaphor to the water clock is the candle clock.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the "clock metaphor", ensure the characteristics of a clock (e.g. cyclical nature, precise measurement, limited duration) directly relate to the concept you are illustrating.

Common error

Avoid pushing the "clock metaphor" too far; if the analogy becomes strained or requires complex explanations, it loses its effectiveness. Opt for a simpler comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clock metaphor" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object. It identifies and categorizes a specific type of metaphorical device, where the concept of a clock is used for comparison or analogy.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clock metaphor" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a comparison that employs the concept of a clock. As indicated by Ludwig, it is correct and appropriate for written English. However, its current frequency is categorized as "Missing". Although it is suitable for neutral to formal contexts like academia, news, and media, its effectiveness relies on the clarity and relevance of the comparison being made. The "clock metaphor" often represents concepts such as the passage of time, urgency, or cyclical events. When employing this metaphor, avoid overextension to maintain its impact and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-based analogy

Replaces "clock" with "time-based", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the metaphor while maintaining the core concept of comparison.

analogy of a clock

Replaces metaphor with the more general term 'analogy' while keeping 'clock' as the central element.

temporal analogy

Focuses on the time aspect inherent in a clock, presenting the comparison as relating to time itself.

chronological metaphor

Substitutes "clock" with "chronological", highlighting the sequential and ordered nature of time.

the ticking clock analogy

Adds the element of 'ticking' to specify a clock in action, underscoring urgency or inevitability.

timekeeping metaphor

Emphasizes the function of a clock as a device for measuring and keeping time.

mechanical time metaphor

Highlights the mechanical aspect of the clock, focusing on its engineered and structured nature.

the clock as a symbol

Shifts from the term "metaphor" to highlight the symbolic representation of time by a clock.

representation of time

Moves away from the direct 'clock' reference to a more abstract notion of how time is portrayed.

time device comparison

Broadens the concept from clocks to other time-measuring devices, still serving as a point of comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "clock metaphor" in a sentence?

You can use "clock metaphor" to describe a comparison where time or a timed process is central, for example: "The author employed a "clock metaphor" to illustrate the ticking down of opportunities."

What are some alternatives to "clock metaphor"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use "time-based analogy", "temporal analogy", or "chronological metaphor".

What does the "clock metaphor" usually represent?

The "clock metaphor" typically represents the passage of time, urgency, deadlines, or the cyclical nature of events. It can also symbolize the precision and predictability, or lack thereof, associated with time.

Is "clock metaphor" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, the "clock metaphor" is suitable for formal writing as long as it's used effectively and contributes to the clarity and impact of the writing. Ensure the metaphor is well-explained and relevant to your argument.