Paint a picture

I am at a loss for a word. I am looking for a word that describes a phrase that paints a picture (not always a pretty one). For example "raining cats and dogs" "She's the spit out of your mouth" "I paid an arm and a leg". The closest I came was idiom but I feel like there is a better, more specific word out there. Any advice?

[twostep]

Originally Posted by me75

I am at a loss for a word. I am looking for a word that describes a phrase that paints a picture (not always a pretty one). For example "raining cats and dogs" "She's the spit out of your mouth" "I paid an arm and a leg". The closest I came was idiom but I feel like there is a better, more specific word out there. Any advice?

Can you be more specific? What kind of picture do you want to paint?

[Francois]

He doesn't want to paint a picture I think.
Look up vivid and pictorial.

FRC

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Francois

He doesn't want to paint a picture I think.
Look up vivid and pictorial.

FRC

???????????

[Francois]

"Look up vivid and pictorial" was addressed to me75.

FRC

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Francois

"Look up vivid and pictorial" was addressed to me75.

FRC

You lost me completely - waht is me75?

[Francois]

Who has started this thread?

FRC

Originally Posted by twostep

You lost me completely - waht is me75?

Me75 is the user who began this topic. All the examples he gave us are idioms. Me75, could you be a little more specific? Could you give us some more examples of what you really want?

For instance, are you talking about metaphors? (implied comparison)
Your words are razors to my wounded heart.

Similes? (direct comparison)
As for man, his days are as grass.

Or are you looking for vivid adjectives, as FRC supposed?
:)

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Francois

Who has started this thread?

FRC

Be gentle! I am posting during business calls! And I still do not know what he wants to describe wiht an idiom. Mercy!

[Francois]

Gentle is my second name.

I think he was looking for words expressing that a saying/idiom can conjure up strong images to the listener. Vivid and pictorial may be among the words he was looking for.

FRC