De-metaphorize

To remove or strip away metaphorical language or figurative meaning, rendering something literal, concrete, or explicit. It's the process of transforming figurative expressions into their plain, factual counterparts, clarifying ambiguity and emphasizing directness. This involves replacing abstract concepts, analogies, similes, and implied meanings with straightforward language that conveys the core idea without embellishment. The act of de-metaphorizing often aims to achieve greater clarity, objectivity, and precision in communication. Essentially, it’s about translating from the realm of imaginative comparison to the domain of literal representation. The primary goal is to prevent misinterpretation and ensure the audience receives the intended information without the potential for confusion inherent in figurative language.

De-metaphorize meaning with examples

• The detective's task was to de-metaphorize the suspect's evasive responses, deciphering what he *meant* by "sleeping with the fishes" to find out if he'd committed a crime. The officer extracted precise details to build the case. The intent was to discover the fact, not the euphemism. Thus the figurative language was ignored.
• A scientist might de-metaphorize a complex theory, initially described with flowery language, into a series of testable hypotheses. By removing poetic imagery, the theory becomes an array of specific predictions. This reduces the possibility of misinterpreting the initial concept, and makes it able to be tested.
• In legal contexts, lawyers must de-metaphorize ambiguous contracts. If the original draft reads like a poem, the judge might need to re-write it to be a plain and clear statement of the terms and obligations. This process ensures that the court can interpret the document.
• During a critical incident briefing, the leader needs to de-metaphorize any metaphorical descriptions of the situation to make sure all parties are prepared. They might replace 'the situation is burning' to 'There is a fire at the south end'. The goal is clear, concise communication for effective decision making.
• When explaining abstract philosophical concepts, a professor might de-metaphorize the use of figurative language. Instead of, 'the mind is a blank slate', the professor would need to find an explicit explanation of how the mind functions. This increases comprehension and makes the teaching more effective.