What is an idea-as-cutting-instrument metaphor?

What is an idea-as-cutting-instrument metaphor?

Definition
	A conventional metaphor in which an idea is represented as a sharp tool.

Examples
	Here are some examples in English:
	That's an incisive idea. That cuts right to the heart of the matter. He's sharp. He has a keen mind.

Generic
	An idea-as-cutting-instrument metaphor is a kind of
	What is a metaphor for rational processes?

Source
	Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980

Context for this page:

Concept module: idea-as-cutting-instrument metaphor
In modular book: Metaphors in English, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H. Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Lexicon

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 September 1998