Sometimes people are treated unfairly because of how they look, where they come from, or what they believe. This unfair treatment is called discrimination. It can happen at school, at work, or in everyday life. Discrimination can make people feel left out, sad, or even unsafe. It is important to learn about it so we can treat others with respect.
Writers often use metaphors to help explain difficult ideas like discrimination. A metaphor compares one thing to another to help people understand it better. In this article, you will learn how people use metaphors to talk about discrimination. These comparisons can help us see how harmful it is and why it should stop.
Metaphors About Discrimination
1. Discrimination is a wall
Meaning: Discrimination keeps people apart.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a wall that stops people from working together.
- It feels like there’s a wall between us because of how I look.
Other ways to say:
- Discrimination is a barrier
- A wall of unfairness
Fun Fact/Origin: Walls often stand for something that keeps people out or away.
Usage: Used to show how discrimination blocks chances or friendship.
2. Discrimination is a shadow
Meaning: It follows people and makes life darker.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a shadow that’s always there.
- I try to be happy, but the shadow of unfairness follows me.
Other ways to say:
- A dark cloud
- A shadow over someone’s life
Fun Fact/Origin: Shadows are used in stories to show sadness or fear.
Usage: Used to show how discrimination affects people every day.
3. Discrimination is a chain
Meaning: It holds people back.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a chain that keeps people from reaching their goals.
- It feels like I’m stuck in chains when I’m not treated fairly.
Other ways to say:
- A lock on freedom
- A tie that holds back
Fun Fact/Origin: Chains are often shown as tools that keep someone trapped.
Usage: Used to explain how discrimination limits freedom and movement.
4. Discrimination is a storm
Meaning: It causes trouble and confusion.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a storm that turns everything upside down.
- When people treat others unfairly, it creates a storm in their lives.
Other ways to say:
- A whirlwind of unfairness
- A cloud of trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Storms are often used in books and movies to show chaos or problems.
Usage: Used to describe how discrimination brings stress and pain.
5. Discrimination is a locked door
Meaning: It keeps people from getting chances.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a locked door that won’t let some people in.
- I worked hard, but the locked door of unfair rules kept me out.
Other ways to say:
- A closed gate
- A shut opportunity
Fun Fact/Origin: Locked doors are symbols for blocked paths or missed chances.
Usage: Used when talking about people being denied jobs, education, or respect.
6. Discrimination is a poison
Meaning: It harms people slowly.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a poison that spreads through schools and workplaces.
- Even small unfair acts can feel like poison over time.
Other ways to say:
- A toxic habit
- A harmful idea
Fun Fact/Origin: Poison is often used in stories to show danger that can’t be seen right away.
Usage: Used to show how unfair treatment can build up and cause harm.
7. Discrimination is a maze
Meaning: It makes life confusing and hard to move through.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a maze where some people never find a way out.
- I keep trying, but the unfair rules make it feel like I’m stuck in a maze.
Other ways to say:
- A puzzle with no end
- A trap of unfairness
Fun Fact/Origin: Mazes are used to show hard paths with many turns and dead ends.
Usage: Used to show how discrimination makes it hard for people to succeed.
8. Discrimination is a crack in the road
Meaning: It makes life uneven and harder for some.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a crack in the road that trips people up.
- Not everyone sees the crack, but it still makes people fall.
Other ways to say:
- A bump in the path
- An unfair roadblock
Fun Fact/Origin: Cracks in sidewalks or roads can be small but still cause accidents.
Usage: Used to explain how discrimination creates problems that slow people down.
9. Discrimination is a fog
Meaning: It makes things unclear or confusing.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a fog that hides the truth.
- When rules are unfair, it feels like walking in fog with no direction.
Other ways to say:
- A cloud of confusion
- A haze of unfairness
Fun Fact/Origin: Fog often stands for not being able to see clearly in stories and movies.
Usage: Used to talk about how discrimination can be hard to see but still harmful.
10. Discrimination is a mask
Meaning: It hides the truth about people.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a mask that covers who people really are.
- People judge by looks, but that mask hides their real heart.
Other ways to say:
- A false cover
- A disguise of unfairness
Fun Fact/Origin: Masks are used in plays and stories to show something that is hidden.
Usage: Used to describe how unfair treatment is based on outside things, not what’s inside.
11. Discrimination is a cage
Meaning: It traps people and limits their choices.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a cage that keeps people from flying free.
- No matter how hard she tried, the cage of unfairness kept her in.
Other ways to say:
- A trap
- A box without escape
Fun Fact/Origin: Cages are often used as symbols for lost freedom.
Usage: Used when talking about how unfairness keeps people stuck.
12. Discrimination is a stain
Meaning: It marks people unfairly and is hard to remove.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a stain that stays no matter how much you clean.
- His chances were ruined by the stain of unfair judgment.
Other ways to say:
- A dirty mark
- A spot of unfairness
Fun Fact/Origin: Stains in clothing are hard to clean, just like some unfair labels.
Usage: Used to talk about unfair labels or ideas that follow someone.
13. Discrimination is a fire
Meaning: It spreads quickly and causes harm.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a fire that burns through communities.
- One unfair word can start a fire of hate.
Other ways to say:
- A flame of anger
- A spark of hate
Fun Fact/Origin: Fires can start from something small but grow big fast.
Usage: Used to show how quickly unfair treatment can hurt many people.
14. Discrimination is a weed
Meaning: It grows where it shouldn’t and takes over.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a weed in the garden of fairness.
- If we don’t stop it, the weed of unfairness will spread.
Other ways to say:
- A wild plant
- A growing problem
Fun Fact/Origin: Weeds are plants that grow in the wrong place and can harm other plants.
Usage: Used to show how unfair treatment spreads unless removed.
15. Discrimination is a broken bridge
Meaning: It stops people from connecting.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a broken bridge between people.
- We can’t work together if the bridge of trust is broken.
Other ways to say:
- A gap
- A missing path
Fun Fact/Origin: Bridges connect places and people. A broken one means separation.
Usage: Used to explain how unfairness can break relationships.
16. Discrimination is a loud alarm
Meaning: It warns us that something is wrong.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a loud alarm that we shouldn’t ignore.
- Every unfair act sets off an alarm in my heart.
Other ways to say:
- A warning bell
- A signal of trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Alarms are made to get people’s attention when danger is near.
Usage: Used to remind people to speak up when they see unfairness.
17. Discrimination is a heavy backpack
Meaning: It’s a burden that people carry.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a heavy backpack some people always carry.
- I try to do my best, but the weight of unfairness slows me down.
Other ways to say:
- A load
- A weight
Fun Fact/Origin: Backpacks carry things. A heavy one makes movement harder.
Usage: Used to show how unfair treatment adds stress to people’s lives.
18. Discrimination is a broken mirror
Meaning: It gives a wrong or hurtful view.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a broken mirror that shows lies about people.
- When you judge someone unfairly, it’s like looking through a cracked mirror.
Other ways to say:
- A false image
- A distorted view
Fun Fact/Origin: Broken mirrors don’t reflect the truth clearly.
Usage: Used to explain how discrimination gives people a wrong image.
19. Discrimination is a closed book
Meaning: It keeps people from being understood.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a closed book that no one wants to open.
- People don’t take time to read my story—they just close the book.
Other ways to say:
- A story left unread
- A mystery ignored
Fun Fact/Origin: Books are full of knowledge. A closed one stays unknown.
Usage: Used to show how people’s stories are ignored or judged too quickly.
20. Discrimination is a cold wind
Meaning: It makes people feel unwelcome or hurt.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a cold wind that pushes people away.
- I felt the cold wind of unfair treatment at school.
Other ways to say:
- A chill of hate
- An icy feeling
Fun Fact/Origin: Cold winds often stand for being left out or treated harshly.
Usage: Used to describe how discrimination makes people feel unwanted.
21. Discrimination is a foggy window
Meaning: It makes it hard to see others clearly.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a foggy window that blocks the truth.
- When we don’t look past labels, it’s like staring through fog.
Other ways to say:
- A blurry view
- A blocked sight
Fun Fact/Origin: Fogged windows are hard to see through, just like unfair thoughts.
Usage: Used to talk about how unfair views hide real people.
22. Discrimination is a flat tire
Meaning: It stops progress and slows people down.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a flat tire on the road to success.
- I was ready to move forward, but unfairness stopped me like a flat tire.
Other ways to say:
- A roadblock
- A stop sign in life
Fun Fact/Origin: A flat tire can stop a car from moving even if the engine works fine.
Usage: Used to show how unfairness can hold people back.
23. Discrimination is a cracked foundation
Meaning: It weakens everything built on it.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a cracked foundation that makes things fall apart.
- A school with unfair rules has a weak base, like a cracked foundation.
Other ways to say:
- A shaky start
- A broken base
Fun Fact/Origin: Foundations hold buildings up. If cracked, they can fall.
Usage: Used to show how unfair systems can’t support fairness.
24. Discrimination is a cold shoulder
Meaning: It means ignoring or rejecting someone.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a cold shoulder shown to people who are different.
- He gave me the cold shoulder just because of where I’m from.
Other ways to say:
- An unfriendly look
- Being pushed away
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cold shoulder” comes from old times when unwelcome guests were given cold meat.
Usage: Used when someone is treated like they don’t belong.
25. Discrimination is a dead end
Meaning: It leaves people with no way forward.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a dead end that stops dreams.
- She tried everything, but unfair rules led to a dead end.
Other ways to say:
- A blocked road
- A stop with no path
Fun Fact/Origin: A dead-end street means there’s no way to keep going.
Usage: Used when talking about lost chances due to unfairness.
26. Discrimination is a slow leak
Meaning: It wears people down little by little.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a slow leak that drains people’s hope.
- You may not see it at first, but a slow leak of unfairness adds up.
Other ways to say:
- A drip of hate
- A quiet loss
Fun Fact/Origin: Slow leaks in tires or balloons may go unnoticed until they cause big problems.
Usage: Used to show how small acts of unfairness can build up.
27. Discrimination is a tightrope
Meaning: It forces people to be careful all the time.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a tightrope that some people walk every day.
- I feel like I can’t make one mistake or I’ll fall off the tightrope.
Other ways to say:
- A risky walk
- A thin line
Fun Fact/Origin: Tightrope walkers must stay balanced or fall.
Usage: Used to explain how some people have to act perfectly because of unfair rules.
28. Discrimination is a locked toolbox
Meaning: It keeps people from using their talents.
Example Sentence:
- Discrimination is a locked toolbox full of unused skills.
- He had great ideas, but the locked toolbox of unfairness kept them hidden.
Other ways to say:
- A box of lost chances
- A chest of wasted talent
Fun Fact/Origin: A toolbox holds tools for fixing and building, but only if it’s open.
Usage: Used to show how unfairness hides people’s true abilities.
Quiz: Metaphors About Discrimination
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the metaphors to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does it mean when someone says, “Discrimination is a wall”?
A. It helps people feel safe
B. It keeps people apart and stops them from connecting
C. It’s something you can paint
2. “Discrimination is a shadow” means that it…
A. Blocks the sun at the beach
B. Follows someone and makes things feel dark or sad
C. Helps people cool off
3. If someone says “Discrimination is a chain,” what does that mean?
A. It holds people back from moving forward
B. It’s used to decorate a room
C. It helps people climb a ladder
4. When discrimination is called “a storm,” what is the person saying?
A. It waters the garden
B. It brings loud music and fun
C. It causes trouble and makes life feel messy
5. What does “Discrimination is a locked door” mean?
A. It keeps people from entering or getting chances
B. It makes a house look nice
C. It protects your snacks
6. What is meant by “Discrimination is a poison”?
A. It smells bad but goes away fast
B. It harms people slowly and causes pain over time
C. It makes food taste better
7. “Discrimination is a maze” means that…
A. People are always getting snacks in it
B. It is fun and full of games
C. It is confusing and hard to get through
8. If someone says “Discrimination is a crack in the road,” what are they showing?
A. A problem that can trip people up or slow them down
B. A place to grow flowers
C. A fun path to jump on
9. What does “Discrimination is a heavy backpack” mean?
A. It’s full of books and pencils
B. It’s fun to carry around
C. It’s a burden that makes life harder
10. If discrimination is called “a broken bridge,” what does that tell us?
A. It lets people cross easily
B. It helps people meet new friends
C. It keeps people from working or being together
Answer Key
- B – It keeps people apart and stops them from connecting
- B – Follows someone and makes things feel dark or sad
- A – It holds people back from moving forward
- C – It causes trouble and makes life feel messy
- A – It keeps people from entering or getting chances
- B – It harms people slowly and causes pain over time
- C – It is confusing and hard to get through
- A – A problem that can trip people up or slow them down
- C – It’s a burden that makes life harder
- C – It keeps people from working or being together
Wrapping Up
Discrimination is unfair treatment. People use metaphors to help explain what it feels like. These word pictures help others understand how hard it can be.
By learning these metaphors, we start to notice problems more clearly. This can help us treat others better and speak up when something is wrong. Everyone should feel included and respected.
