[Idiom] Is this a metaphor?

[fritster]

Is "I was swallowed by fear" a metaphor? If not what is it?

Thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

Welcome to the forum. :hi:

Where did you see that phrase? It's not common in British English.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It doesn't work in American English, either. We usually say consumed or overcome.

It's not a metaphor. It's called a figure of speech. A figure of speech is an expression that is not meant literally.

 

[emsr2d2]

I recognise both "consumed by fear" and "overcome with fear".

 

[Tdol]

How would you define metaphor?