Sometimes, something really sad or scary happens to a person. It could be a big accident, a hard time at home, or losing someone they care about. These events can make a person feel hurt deep inside, even if they don’t talk about it. This kind of deep hurt is called trauma. When people try to explain how it feels, they often use special phrases called metaphors. A metaphor helps people understand something by comparing it to something else.
Metaphors can make these strong feelings easier to talk about. Instead of saying, “I’m hurting,” someone might say, “It feels like I’m stuck in a storm.” This helps others understand without needing a long explanation. In this article, you will learn 60 metaphors people use when talking about trauma. Each one has a simple meaning and sentence example to help you see how it’s used.
Metaphors for Trauma
1. A storm inside
Meaning: Feeling very upset or shaken.
Within a Sentence: After the accident, he had a storm inside. / Her heart felt like a storm inside.
In Other Words: He felt very troubled. / She couldn’t calm down.
2. Carrying a heavy backpack
Meaning: Holding onto painful memories or feelings.
Within a Sentence: She walks like she’s carrying a heavy backpack. / It’s like his sadness is in a backpack he never takes off.
In Other Words: She feels weighed down. / He’s holding onto too much.
3. Cracks in the glass
Meaning: Feeling damaged but still holding on.
Within a Sentence: He smiles, but there are cracks in the glass. / Her heart is like cracked glass.
In Other Words: He is hurting. / She’s been through a lot.
4. Lost in a fog
Meaning: Feeling confused or unsure.
Within a Sentence: After the bad news, he felt lost in a fog. / Her thoughts were like a thick fog.
In Other Words: He couldn’t think clearly. / She felt mixed up.
5. A locked door
Meaning: Not ready to talk or share feelings.
Within a Sentence: His feelings are behind a locked door. / She keeps her pain locked away.
In Other Words: He’s hiding his emotions. / She doesn’t want to talk about it.
6. A deep scar
Meaning: A memory that still hurts.
Within a Sentence: That moment left a deep scar. / His heart has a scar you can’t see.
In Other Words: It still hurts him. / She remembers it painfully.
7. A broken mirror
Meaning: Feeling like you’re not the same anymore.
Within a Sentence: He looked at himself like a broken mirror. / Her past made her feel shattered.
In Other Words: He felt changed. / She didn’t feel whole.
8. A cage with no key
Meaning: Feeling trapped.
Within a Sentence: Her fear was like a cage with no key. / He lived inside a cage of sadness.
In Other Words: She couldn’t escape her feelings. / He felt stuck.
9. An empty house
Meaning: Feeling lonely or hollow inside.
Within a Sentence: After the event, he felt like an empty house. / Her heart was like a silent house.
In Other Words: He felt alone. / She felt hollow.
10. Drowning in silence
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed and unable to speak.
Within a Sentence: She was drowning in silence after the fight. / His pain was quiet but deep.
In Other Words: She felt helpless. / He couldn’t find words.
11. A frozen lake
Meaning: Feeling stuck and cold inside.
Within a Sentence: His heart felt like a frozen lake. / She sat quietly, like a frozen lake.
In Other Words: He couldn’t feel much. / She was numb.
12. Walking through mud
Meaning: Life feels slow and hard to move forward.
Within a Sentence: Every day felt like walking through mud. / It’s hard to smile, like moving through thick mud.
In Other Words: Life feels heavy. / Things are hard.
13. A shadow that follows
Meaning: Pain that stays with you.
Within a Sentence: Her sadness was a shadow that followed her. / His past is like a shadow.
In Other Words: She can’t shake it off. / It’s always there.
14. A broken clock
Meaning: Time feels stuck or strange.
Within a Sentence: After the loss, time felt like a broken clock. / The days didn’t feel right.
In Other Words: Time moved strangely. / Everything felt off.
15. A bird with clipped wings
Meaning: Feeling unable to be free or do what you want.
Within a Sentence: He was like a bird with clipped wings. / Her dreams stopped flying.
In Other Words: He felt stuck. / She couldn’t move on.
16. An earthquake in the heart
Meaning: Strong, sudden emotional pain.
Within a Sentence: Her heart felt like it had an earthquake. / He shook like his heart broke.
In Other Words: It hurt deeply. / It was shocking.
17. A hole in the chest
Meaning: Feeling empty or missing something inside.
Within a Sentence: He said it felt like a hole in his chest. / Her chest ached with emptiness.
In Other Words: He felt a big loss. / She missed someone badly.
18. Walls built high
Meaning: Not letting others in.
Within a Sentence: She built walls high around her heart. / His feelings hid behind walls.
In Other Words: She didn’t want to talk. / He kept things to himself.
19. Fire under the skin
Meaning: Feeling angry or upset just beneath the surface.
Within a Sentence: His anger felt like fire under the skin. / Her face burned with hidden pain.
In Other Words: He was angry inside. / She tried to hide her pain.
20. A maze with no exit
Meaning: Feeling trapped and lost.
Within a Sentence: Her thoughts were a maze with no exit. / He couldn’t find his way out.
In Other Words: She felt stuck. / He didn’t know what to do.
21. A puzzle with missing pieces
Meaning: Feeling like something’s not right or complete.
Within a Sentence: After that day, he was a puzzle with missing pieces. / Her story didn’t feel whole.
In Other Words: He felt broken. / She was incomplete.
22. Thunder in the chest
Meaning: Sudden fear or panic.
Within a Sentence: When he heard the sound, it was thunder in his chest. / Her chest thumped like a storm.
In Other Words: He was very scared. / Her heart beat fast.
23. A computer that shuts down
Meaning: The brain stops working due to stress.
Within a Sentence: Her mind shut down like a broken computer. / He froze and couldn’t think.
In Other Words: She went blank. / He couldn’t focus.
24. A ghost in the room
Meaning: Trauma feels like it’s still there.
Within a Sentence: The memory was a ghost in the room. / He felt like the past was haunting him.
In Other Words: It felt very real. / He couldn’t forget.
25. A balloon that popped
Meaning: Feeling shocked or broken suddenly.
Within a Sentence: She was happy until the balloon popped. / The news hit him like a pop.
In Other Words: She broke down. / He was shaken.
26. A song stuck on repeat
Meaning: Bad memories that won’t stop.
Within a Sentence: The moment played like a song stuck on repeat. / He kept hearing the same thought.
In Other Words: It wouldn’t go away. / He couldn’t stop thinking about it.
27. A storm with no end
Meaning: Feeling like the pain won’t stop.
Within a Sentence: Her pain was a storm with no end. / He waited for the rain to stop inside.
In Other Words: She was still hurting. / He felt hopeless.
28. A mask that won’t come off
Meaning: Pretending to be okay.
Within a Sentence: She wore a mask that wouldn’t come off. / He smiled through the mask.
In Other Words: She was hiding her pain. / He wasn’t showing his true self.
29. A book with torn pages
Meaning: A life story that feels damaged.
Within a Sentence: His story felt like a book with torn pages. / Her memories were ripped.
In Other Words: He went through a lot. / Her past was painful.
30. A balloon with no air
Meaning: Feeling drained or without energy.
Within a Sentence: After crying, she felt like a balloon with no air. / He was flat and quiet.
In Other Words: She was tired. / He felt worn out.
31. A shut window
Meaning: Not wanting to see or feel anything.
Within a Sentence: His heart was like a shut window. / She closed the window to her feelings.
In Other Words: He didn’t want to feel. / She blocked it out.
32. A storm cloud overhead
Meaning: Trouble or sadness that follows you.
Within a Sentence: He walked around with a storm cloud overhead. / Her cloud wouldn’t go away.
In Other Words: He felt sad all day. / She was gloomy.
33. A fire that won’t go out
Meaning: Pain or anger that keeps burning.
Within a Sentence: His anger was like a fire that won’t go out. / The pain kept burning in her.
In Other Words: He stayed upset. / She couldn’t calm down.
34. A book slammed shut
Meaning: Suddenly ending something painful.
Within a Sentence: Her trust closed like a book slammed shut. / He shut the book on that memory.
In Other Words: She was done. / He didn’t want to talk.
35. Ice in the veins
Meaning: Feeling numb or without emotion.
Within a Sentence: She had ice in her veins after the bad news. / He felt frozen inside.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel anything. / He was cold emotionally.
36. A rope pulled too tight
Meaning: Feeling like you can’t relax.
Within a Sentence: His nerves were like a rope pulled too tight. / She was ready to snap.
In Other Words: He was tense. / She felt stressed.
37. A tower ready to fall
Meaning: Almost breaking down.
Within a Sentence: She stood tall, but was a tower ready to fall. / He looked strong but shaky.
In Other Words: She was close to crying. / He was about to break.
38. A mirror with fog
Meaning: Not seeing yourself clearly.
Within a Sentence: His face in the mirror looked foggy. / She didn’t recognize herself.
In Other Words: He felt lost. / She was unsure who she was.
39. A knot in the chest
Meaning: Tight, hard feelings inside.
Within a Sentence: His chest had a big knot of worry. / She carried a knot of fear.
In Other Words: He felt nervous. / She was scared.
40. A painting washed out
Meaning: Feeling faded or lifeless.
Within a Sentence: After the event, she felt like a washed-out painting. / He lost his colors.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel alive. / He felt empty.
41. A tree hit by lightning
Meaning: Hurt suddenly and deeply.
Within a Sentence: That day hit him like lightning on a tree. / She cracked like a tree in a storm.
In Other Words: He was shocked. / She was hurt hard.
42. A broken bridge
Meaning: Lost connection or trust.
Within a Sentence: Their friendship was a broken bridge. / Trust fell through the cracks.
In Other Words: They weren’t close anymore. / It was hard to fix.
43. A kite with no wind
Meaning: No energy or drive.
Within a Sentence: After the fight, he felt like a kite with no wind. / Her hopes didn’t lift.
In Other Words: He had no motivation. / She felt down.
44. A garden with no sun
Meaning: A place with no joy or growth.
Within a Sentence: Her heart was like a garden with no sun. / His days felt cold and gray.
In Other Words: She was sad. / He missed happiness.
45. A frozen river
Meaning: Emotions that won’t move.
Within a Sentence: His feelings were like a frozen river. / She couldn’t let anything out.
In Other Words: He kept it all in. / She couldn’t cry.
46. A light turned off
Meaning: A sudden stop to joy or hope.
Within a Sentence: After the loss, it was like her light turned off. / His smile was gone.
In Other Words: She lost her spark. / He was sad.
47. A page torn out
Meaning: Something missing or taken away.
Within a Sentence: That day was like a page torn from his life. / She felt like her story was missing a part.
In Other Words: He lost something. / She felt broken.
48. A seed in dry ground
Meaning: Not growing or healing.
Within a Sentence: Her hopes were seeds in dry ground. / He didn’t feel like he was getting better.
In Other Words: She didn’t feel hope. / He stayed stuck.
49. A mountain too steep
Meaning: A problem too big to fix.
Within a Sentence: His fear was a mountain too steep to climb. / She couldn’t take the first step.
In Other Words: He felt hopeless. / She was scared to try.
50. A balloon about to burst
Meaning: About to lose control.
Within a Sentence: Her feelings were like a balloon about to burst. / He couldn’t hold it in.
In Other Words: She was ready to cry. / He felt pressure.
51. A light hidden under a blanket
Meaning: Good feelings that are covered or hidden.
Within a Sentence: Her light was hidden under a blanket. / He used to shine, now he hides.
In Other Words: She keeps her happiness inside. / He hides his joy.
52. A spider web in the dark
Meaning: Feelings that are hard to see but still there.
Within a Sentence: His sadness was like a spider web in the dark. / Her fear hid in corners.
In Other Words: It’s hard to notice but still real.
53. A boat without a sail
Meaning: Feeling lost or without direction.
Within a Sentence: She was like a boat without a sail after the loss. / He drifted with no plan.
In Other Words: She didn’t know what to do. / He felt unsure.
54. A toy with missing pieces
Meaning: Feeling incomplete.
Within a Sentence: He felt like a toy with missing pieces. / She didn’t feel whole anymore.
In Other Words: He lost something important. / She felt broken.
55. A wolf howling alone
Meaning: Feeling alone and calling out for help.
Within a Sentence: His pain cried like a wolf howling alone. / She felt like she had no pack.
In Other Words: He felt lonely. / She wanted comfort.
56. A rainbow without color
Meaning: Beauty or hope that’s missing.
Within a Sentence: Her dreams were like a rainbow without color. / He felt blank inside.
In Other Words: She felt sad. / He didn’t feel bright anymore.
57. A clock that skips
Meaning: Missing parts of time or memory.
Within a Sentence: After the trauma, his memory felt like a skipping clock. / Time didn’t feel right to her.
In Other Words: He couldn’t remember things. / Time felt weird.
58. A game with no rules
Meaning: Feeling confused or lost.
Within a Sentence: Life felt like a game with no rules. / She didn’t know how to play anymore.
In Other Words: Things didn’t make sense. / She felt unsure.
59. A wall of ice
Meaning: Being cold or shut off emotionally.
Within a Sentence: She put up a wall of ice. / He froze others out.
In Other Words: She didn’t let anyone in. / He was closed off.
60. A light flickering out
Meaning: Losing hope or giving up.
Within a Sentence: His hope was a light flickering out. / She felt like her spark was dying.
In Other Words: He was close to giving up. / She lost her strength.
Metaphors for Trauma – True/False Quiz
Read each sentence. Decide if it makes sense as a metaphor for trauma.
- Saying “He has a storm inside” means he’s having fun at a party.
True / False - “She carries a heavy backpack” can mean she’s holding onto sadness or pain.
True / False - If someone is “a bird with clipped wings,” they feel free and excited.
True / False - “A deep scar” can mean someone remembers something that still hurts.
True / False - Saying “He’s a boat without a sail” means he’s full of energy.
True / False - “Her light flickered out” can show she lost her hope.
True / False - “A wall of ice” can mean someone is very warm and loving.
True / False - If you say “She’s stuck in a fog,” it means she feels clear and calm.
True / False - “A balloon about to burst” shows someone is almost losing control of their feelings.
True / False - “He’s walking through mud” can mean things feel hard and slow for him.
True / False - If someone is “a puzzle with missing pieces,” they feel perfect and complete.
True / False - “A rope pulled too tight” can mean someone feels tense or stressed.
True / False - “A shut window” might show someone is closing off their emotions.
True / False - “A rainbow without color” means something still feels bright and cheerful.
True / False - “A spider web in the dark” can be a way to describe quiet, hidden feelings.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Metaphors Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Metaphors nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Metaphors together!
Conclusion
Trauma can feel confusing, scary, or heavy. Metaphors help us explain these feelings in a way that others can understand. Saying someone is “lost in a fog” or “carrying a heavy backpack” makes the feeling easier to picture.
When you use these phrases, you can talk about tough times without needing to say everything directly. It also helps others feel less alone. Keep learning and using these kinds of expressions. They make hard stories easier to share and easier to understand.
