What is the conceptual metpahor behind this?

[ian2]

American confidence has fallen to a low ebb.

What is the conceptual metaphor of this linguistic metaphor (fall to a low ebb)? I know the relatively lower level conceptual metaphor is CONFIDENCE IS TIDE. But can you find an even higher level conceptual metaphor? To make it easy for you to answer, let me illustrate this system a little:

1. Linguistic metaphor: He was bursting with anger.
2. lower level conceptual metaphor: INTENSE ANGER PRODUCES PRESSURE ON THE CONTAINER.
3. higher level conceptual metaphor: EMOTIONS ARE FORCES.

What I need is the highest level conceptual metaphor for "fall to a low ebb".

Thanks a lot.

[David L.]

Is it something like:

Human feelings/sentiments have extremes of expression
or perhaps a bit higher might be
Sentiments are mutable


That prompt any better idea in anyone? It's the first time I've ever had to get my head round a 'conceptual metaphor of a linguistic metaphor'. I must have been away from school that day.

[Barb_D]

No, this is a new type of exercise for me. In the example, it would seem to me that "the body is a vessel" could also be the higher-level metaphor.

As you say, human emotions rise and fall? They are acted upon by outside forces?

[ian2]

Originally Posted by Barb_D

No, this is a new type of exercise for me. In the example, it would seem to me that "the body is a vessel" could also be the higher-level metaphor.

As you say, human emotions rise and fall? They are acted upon by outside forces?

I know, this is hard to find. This conceptual metaphor thing is basically from George Lakoff's theory of cognitive study of metaphor. One of his key points is that linguistic metaphors are deeply rooted in human concept. In other words, when you see a linguistic metaphor, there is always a conceptual metaphor behind it. For example, when we say "he has a good start in life", the conceptual metaphor is "LIFE IS A JOURNEY". When we say "The love is such I can no way repay", the conceptual metaphor is LOVE IS AN ECONOMIC EXCHANGE. But for this one, I just can't think of a very high level conceptual metaphor. Thanks.