Greed is when someone always wants more than they need. This can be about money, food, toys, or even attention. People who are greedy often think only about themselves. They don’t like to share. When someone acts this way, others might use special phrases to describe their behavior. These phrases are called metaphors.
A metaphor is a way to compare one thing to something else, without using the word “like” or “as.” It helps us understand things in a fun and creative way. In this article, we will look at some metaphors that show what greed can feel or look like. Each one gives us a picture in our mind. These ideas will help you see how language can be more interesting and how people use it to explain feelings and actions.
Metaphors for Greed
1. A Bottomless Pit
Meaning: Someone who always wants more and is never satisfied.
Example Sentence:
– Jason eats candy like his stomach is a bottomless pit.
– Her need for new toys is like a bottomless pit.
Other ways to say: Always hungry, never full
Fun Fact/Origin: A pit with no bottom means it can never be filled.
Usage: When someone keeps wanting more, no matter how much they have.
2. A Greedy Monster
Meaning: A person who takes everything without thinking about others.
Example Sentence:
– He turned into a greedy monster at the pizza party.
– She acted like a greedy monster at the toy store.
Other ways to say: Hog, selfish taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Monsters are often shown grabbing or eating everything.
Usage: When someone grabs too much and won’t share.
3. A Hungry Wolf
Meaning: Someone who always wants more, especially food or power.
Example Sentence:
– The businessman was a hungry wolf chasing every deal.
– She grabbed the last cookie like a hungry wolf.
Other ways to say: Fierce taker, always craving
Fun Fact/Origin: Wolves hunt for food and don’t stop until they get it.
Usage: For people who are always chasing after more.
4. A Black Hole
Meaning: Someone who takes in everything and gives nothing back.
Example Sentence:
– His room is a black hole for snacks. They disappear and never come back.
– Her need for attention is like a black hole.
Other ways to say: Always taking, never giving
Fun Fact/Origin: A black hole in space pulls everything in and nothing escapes.
Usage: When someone always takes and never shares.
5. A Leech
Meaning: A person who uses others to get what they want.
Example Sentence:
– He acted like a leech, always borrowing money.
– Don’t be a leech—help clean up, too!
Other ways to say: Mooch, freeloader
Fun Fact/Origin: Leeches are animals that suck blood from others.
Usage: Used for someone who takes and doesn’t give back.
6. A Gold-Digger
Meaning: Someone who only cares about money or what others can give.
Example Sentence:
– He dated her only because she was rich—a real gold-digger.
– She acted like a gold-digger at the school fundraiser.
Other ways to say: Money-hungry, selfish planner
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people who dug for gold during gold rushes, hoping to get rich.
Usage: When someone wants friendship or love just for money.
7. A Fat Cat
Meaning: A rich and powerful person who wants more.
Example Sentence:
– The fat cats made big profits and didn’t share with workers.
– He lives like a fat cat with all his fancy stuff.
Other ways to say: Rich boss, big spender
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in politics to describe wealthy people who influence decisions.
Usage: For rich people who still want more.
8. A Dragon on a Hoard
Meaning: Someone who collects and keeps treasures but doesn’t use or share them.
Example Sentence:
– She guards her dolls like a dragon on a hoard.
– He’s like a dragon sitting on his Halloween candy.
Other ways to say: Hoarder, keeper
Fun Fact/Origin: Dragons in stories sit on piles of gold and don’t share.
Usage: When someone collects things but never shares or uses them.
9. A Stuffed Turkey
Meaning: A person who keeps taking more even after having enough.
Example Sentence:
– He was a stuffed turkey by the end of the buffet.
– After three burgers, he still wanted more—like a stuffed turkey.
Other ways to say: Overloaded, overfilled
Fun Fact/Origin: Turkeys are stuffed full of food before cooking.
Usage: When someone keeps taking beyond what’s needed.
10. A Greedy Pig
Meaning: Someone who takes more than their fair share.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t be a greedy pig—leave some for others!
– He was a greedy pig at the bake sale.
Other ways to say: Hog, selfish eater
Fun Fact/Origin: Pigs are often shown eating a lot and making a mess.
Usage: Commonly used when someone eats or takes too much.
11. A Treasure Hunter
Meaning: Always looking for the next big prize.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a treasure hunter, always after something new.
– Her mind was on the prize like a treasure hunter.
Other ways to say: Prize-seeker, fortune-finder
Fun Fact/Origin: Treasure hunters search for hidden riches in stories and history.
Usage: Used when someone is always looking for gain.
12. A Taker, Not a Giver
Meaning: Someone who only takes from others.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a taker, not a giver—never helps out.
– She’s always taking, never giving.
Other ways to say: Selfish person, user
Fun Fact/Origin: No specific origin; used often in everyday talk.
Usage: Describes selfish behavior.
13. A Cup That Can’t Be Filled
Meaning: Someone who is never happy with what they have.
Example Sentence:
– No matter what he gets, he’s a cup that can’t be filled.
– Her wish list is endless—like a cup that can’t be filled.
Other ways to say: Never satisfied, always wanting
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of a broken or bottomless cup.
Usage: When someone always wants more.
14. A Dog with a Bone
Meaning: Won’t give up on getting what they want.
Example Sentence:
– He kept asking for a new game—like a dog with a bone.
– She’s like a dog with a bone when she wants something.
Other ways to say: Persistent, pushy
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs are known for holding onto bones and not letting go.
Usage: Describes greedy or stubborn behavior.
15. A Hoover Vacuum
Meaning: Takes everything up quickly without leaving anything for others.
Example Sentence:
– He’s like a Hoover vacuum with snacks.
– She scooped up all the prizes like a Hoover.
Other ways to say: Cleaner-upper, fast taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Hoover is a famous vacuum brand.
Usage: Used for someone who takes everything.
16. A Candy Snatcher
Meaning: Grabs things quickly before others can have any.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a candy snatcher—first to the bowl every time.
– She’s like a candy snatcher when prizes come out.
Other ways to say: Grabber, fast taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of kids grabbing all the candy.
Usage: For people who don’t wait their turn.
17. A Greed Machine
Meaning: Someone who acts like they’re built just to want more.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a greed machine when it comes to trading cards.
– The greed machine strikes again—she wants more!
Other ways to say: Nonstop taker, all-consuming
Fun Fact/Origin: “Machine” is used here to show nonstop action.
Usage: Used when someone always wants more.
18. A Toy Hog
Meaning: Someone who keeps all the toys and won’t share.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t be a toy hog—let your friends play too.
– He’s being a toy hog at playtime again.
Other ways to say: Selfish, toy-keeper
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hog” is a word often used for greedy behavior.
Usage: Commonly used among kids.
19. A Cookie Grabber
Meaning: Always wants the best or first piece.
Example Sentence:
– She’s a cookie grabber—always picks the biggest one.
– He grabbed the last cookie, again.
Other ways to say: Snatcher, first picker
Fun Fact/Origin: Everyone wants cookies, so the best ones go fast.
Usage: Used when someone picks the best for themselves.
20. A Greedy Magnet
Meaning: Attracts everything good and keeps it.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a greedy magnet for cool stuff.
– Everything sticks to her—she’s a greedy magnet.
Other ways to say: Selfish collector, lucky grabber
Fun Fact/Origin: Magnets attract metal; this one attracts “stuff.”
Usage: When someone always gets or keeps the best.
21. A Prize Snatcher
Meaning: Someone who always tries to get the reward before others.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a prize snatcher—never gives others a chance.
– She rushed to be first like a prize snatcher.
Other ways to say: Fast grabber, reward chaser
Fun Fact/Origin: “Snatching” shows taking quickly, sometimes unfairly.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t let others win or enjoy things.
22. A Giant Stomach
Meaning: A person who eats or takes like they’re never full.
Example Sentence:
– He’s got a giant stomach for candy.
– It’s like she has a giant stomach for praise.
Other ways to say: Always hungry, big appetite
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea that big stomachs can hold more.
Usage: Used for overeating or wanting more attention.
23. A Toy Dragon
Meaning: Collects all the toys and keeps them from others.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a toy dragon—won’t even let us touch his toys.
– Don’t be a toy dragon at school.
Other ways to say: Hoarder, selfish collector
Fun Fact/Origin: Like dragons in stories, guarding treasure.
Usage: Used among children when someone won’t share.
24. A Greed Tornado
Meaning: Takes everything in its path.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a greed tornado at the snack table.
– She spun through the store like a greed tornado.
Other ways to say: Whirlwind taker, fast collector
Fun Fact/Origin: Tornadoes pull up everything around them.
Usage: Describes fast, greedy behavior.
25. A Shiny Thing Chaser
Meaning: Always runs after anything new or exciting.
Example Sentence:
– She’s a shiny thing chaser—never happy with what she has.
– He chased the newest game like a shiny thing chaser.
Other ways to say: Trend seeker, novelty lover
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how birds like crows chase shiny items.
Usage: For people who always want the newest or best.
26. A Greedy Gobbler
Meaning: Someone who eats or grabs everything quickly.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a greedy gobbler at lunch.
– Don’t gobble everything up like a greedy gobbler.
Other ways to say: Fast eater, quick taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Gobbling means eating fast and noisily.
Usage: Used for people who rush to get or eat more.
27. A Bank Vault
Meaning: Someone who stores everything and never gives any away.
Example Sentence:
– Her room is like a bank vault—everything’s hidden inside.
– He treats his money like a bank vault—won’t even spend it.
Other ways to say: Locked up, stingy
Fun Fact/Origin: Bank vaults are strong rooms that hold money safely.
Usage: Used when someone stores things and refuses to share.
28. A Grab-and-Go Kid
Meaning: Someone who takes quickly and leaves.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a grab-and-go kid at birthday parties.
– She grabs her treats and disappears like a grab-and-go kid.
Other ways to say: Quick snatcher, fast picker
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to fast food style, where people grab and leave.
Usage: When someone takes things quickly and doesn’t stick around.
29. A Cookie Jar Raider
Meaning: Always sneaking or grabbing more than allowed.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a cookie jar raider—always sneaking extras.
– She’s like a cookie jar raider during snack time.
Other ways to say: Sneaky taker, extra grabber
Fun Fact/Origin: From kids sneaking cookies when no one’s watching.
Usage: Describes someone who sneaks or takes too much.
30. A Fortune Hunter
Meaning: Always searching for ways to get rich or gain things.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a fortune hunter, always selling stuff to make money.
– She acts like a fortune hunter with every contest.
Other ways to say: Wealth seeker, prize chaser
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from adventurers looking for treasure or riches.
Usage: Describes people always thinking of gain.
31. A Stash Keeper
Meaning: Someone who hides things to keep them all.
Example Sentence:
– She’s a stash keeper—has candy hidden everywhere.
– Don’t be a stash keeper—share your supplies.
Other ways to say: Hoarder, secret keeper
Fun Fact/Origin: “Stash” means hidden supply.
Usage: For people who hide and save too much.
32. A Greed Storm
Meaning: Powerful and fast, taking everything around.
Example Sentence:
– He was a greed storm at the prize table.
– She moved through like a greed storm, grabbing everything.
Other ways to say: Wild taker, fast collector
Fun Fact/Origin: Storms sweep up everything, like greedy actions.
Usage: Used for wild or fast grabbing.
33. A Magnet for More
Meaning: Always attracting new things, never satisfied.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a magnet for more—never happy with one toy.
– She collects like a magnet for more.
Other ways to say: Collector, nonstop taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Magnets pull in metal, and here it means “stuff.”
Usage: Describes someone always wanting more.
34. A Never-Enough Kid
Meaning: Always wants more, even after getting a lot.
Example Sentence:
– She’s a never-enough kid—even after five gifts, she wants more.
– Don’t act like a never-enough kid.
Other ways to say: Greedy, over-wanter
Fun Fact/Origin: Just means nothing is ever “enough.”
Usage: Used for very greedy or unsatisfied people.
35. A Gimme Machine
Meaning: Always saying “gimme” and asking for more.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a gimme machine at every store.
– She turns into a gimme machine when shopping.
Other ways to say: Constant asker, greedy kid
Fun Fact/Origin: “Gimme” means “give me” quickly.
Usage: Describes nonstop asking.
36. A Snack Monster
Meaning: Takes all the snacks and leaves none for others.
Example Sentence:
– The snack monster ate all the chips.
– He’s the snack monster of the house.
Other ways to say: Muncher, greedy eater
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to Cookie Monster from Sesame Street.
Usage: For people who take all the snacks.
37. A Gift Grubber
Meaning: Always looking for more gifts.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a gift grubber—checks under the tree every day.
– Don’t be a gift grubber at parties.
Other ways to say: Gift seeker, greedy guest
Fun Fact/Origin: “Grubber” comes from “grubbing”—digging or grabbing.
Usage: Describes someone greedy at events.
38. A Toy Snatcher
Meaning: Someone who grabs toys from others.
Example Sentence:
– He was a toy snatcher during playtime.
– Don’t be a toy snatcher—ask first.
Other ways to say: Grabber, selfish player
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of snatching or taking suddenly.
Usage: Common with kids and play situations.
39. A Box of Wants
Meaning: Always full of new wishes.
Example Sentence:
– Her mind is a box of wants—always something new.
– He’s like a box of wants with all his birthday requests.
Other ways to say: Big dreamer, nonstop asker
Fun Fact/Origin: “Box” holds many things, like many wants.
Usage: Describes people who always want new things.
40. A Greed Magnet
Meaning: Always pulling in more for themselves.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a greed magnet for good stuff.
– She draws in toys like a greed magnet.
Other ways to say: Attractor, big taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Magnets attract; here it means always collecting.
Usage: For someone who gathers a lot.
41. A Cart Stuffer
Meaning: Fills up with more than needed.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a cart stuffer—wants everything from the shelf.
– She stuffed her cart like she was shopping for a year.
Other ways to say: Over-buyer, big spender
Fun Fact/Origin: From stuffing shopping carts with too much.
Usage: Used for buying or wanting too much.
42. A Grown-Up Baby Bird
Meaning: Always has their mouth open asking for more.
Example Sentence:
– He’s like a grown-up baby bird—always asking for more.
– Don’t sit there like a baby bird—help out too!
Other ways to say: Always asking, dependent
Fun Fact/Origin: Baby birds beg for food with open mouths.
Usage: Describes people who just wait to get stuff.
43. A Wallet Grabber
Meaning: Wants money all the time.
Example Sentence:
– She’s a wallet grabber—always asking for lunch money.
– He acts like a wallet grabber at every school fair.
Other ways to say: Money-hunter, cash chaser
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from reaching into wallets to take money.
Usage: Used for money-focused behavior.
44. A Pizza Piler
Meaning: Stacks too much on their plate.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a pizza piler—takes five slices at once!
– She piled her plate like a pizza piler.
Other ways to say: Big server, food grabber
Fun Fact/Origin: Piling pizza means taking more than needed.
Usage: For food-related greed.
45. A Candy Collector
Meaning: Always gathers the best and most candy.
Example Sentence:
– He’s a candy collector—check out his bag!
– She wins every candy contest—real candy collector.
Other ways to say: Sweet hoarder, treat taker
Fun Fact/Origin: Kids love candy; some go all out collecting it.
Usage: Describes playful but greedy behavior with treats.
Quiz: Metaphors for Greed
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 if someone is called a “bottomless pit”?
A) They share with everyone
B) They are never satisfied
C) They sleep all day
2. What does “greedy monster” mean?
A) Someone who shares snacks
B) Someone who takes more than their fair share
C) Someone who eats healthy
3. If someone is a “black hole,” what are they doing?
A) Giving lots of gifts
B) Always needing hugs
C) Taking everything without giving back
4. What does a “cookie grabber” do?
A) Waits patiently for dessert
B) Picks the best cookie for someone else
C) Always wants the biggest or best treat
5. What does a “greed tornado” suggest?
A) Someone who is quiet and shy
B) Someone who moves quickly, grabbing everything
C) Someone who stands still
6. If a person is a “gift grubber,” how do they act at a birthday party?
A) They are excited to give presents
B) They try to get all the gifts
C) They help clean up
7. What does it mean to be a “stash keeper”?
A) Shares with friends
B) Hides things to keep for themselves
C) Throws away their stuff
8. What does “toy dragon” mean?
A) Someone who plays with others
B) Someone who flies like a dragon
C) Someone who keeps all the toys to themselves
9. If someone is a “wallet grabber,” what do they want?
A) To dance and sing
B) To borrow books
C) To get money all the time
10. What does “cup that can’t be filled” mean?
A) Someone who is always thankful
B) Someone who is never full or happy with what they have
C) Someone who drinks a lot of water
11. What does a “candy collector” do on Halloween?
A) Stays home and reads
B) Gathers as much candy as possible
C) Shares all their candy at once
12. What does “cart stuffer” mean at the store?
A) Only buys one thing
B) Puts a little bit in their cart
C) Tries to fill the cart with everything
13. If someone is called a “shiny thing chaser,” what are they doing?
A) Always wanting the newest or most exciting thing
B) Cleaning shiny objects
C) Looking for gold
14. What does a “dog with a bone” mean?
A) Someone who barks loudly
B) Someone who gives up easily
C) Someone who won’t stop trying to get what they want
15. If a person is a “greedy gobbler,” what do they do?
A) Eats fast and takes too much
B) Cooks for everyone
C) Eats slowly and shares food
Answer Key
- B – They are never satisfied
- B – Someone who takes more than their fair share
- C – Taking everything without giving back
- C – Always wants the biggest or best treat
- B – Someone who moves quickly, grabbing everything
- B – They try to get all the gifts
- B – Hides things to keep for themselves
- C – Someone who keeps all the toys to themselves
- C – To get money all the time
- B – Someone who is never full or happy with what they have
- B – Gathers as much candy as possible
- C – Tries to fill the cart with everything
- A – Always wanting the newest or most exciting thing
- C – Someone who won’t stop trying to get what they want
- A – Eats fast and takes too much
Wrapping Up
Greed is a strong feeling that can make people want more than they need. Metaphors help explain this idea in fun and simple ways. When someone is called a “greedy pig” or “bottomless pit,” it paints a clear picture. These phrases make writing and speaking more colorful and easy to understand.
By learning these metaphors, you can recognize greedy behavior and know how to describe it. You can also think about ways to avoid being greedy yourself. Sharing and caring matter more than grabbing and keeping.
