In the United States, people often use special phrases or comparisons to talk about strong feelings. One strong feeling is obsession. Obsession is when someone thinks about something all the time and finds it hard to stop. It could be about a person, a hobby, or even a favorite food. When a person is obsessed, it can feel like their brain is stuck on one thought and can’t switch to anything else.
To help describe this feeling, people often use metaphors. A metaphor is when you say something is something else to help others understand what it’s like. For example, someone might say, “My mind is a hamster wheel,” to show how their thoughts keep spinning. In this article, we will look at some metaphors Americans use to describe obsession. These phrases help show how strong and sticky obsession can feel.
Metaphors for Obsession
1. My mind is a hamster wheel
Meaning: Thoughts keep spinning and won’t stop.
Example Sentence:
• After watching the movie, my mind was a hamster wheel thinking about it.
• His mind was like a hamster wheel going over every word she said.
Other ways to say: Going in circles, can’t stop thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: Hamsters run in wheels that spin over and over, just like thoughts that won’t stop.
Usage: Used when someone can’t stop thinking about something.
2. My brain is glued to it
Meaning: You can’t stop thinking about one thing.
Example Sentence:
• Ever since I played that game, my brain is glued to it.
• Her brain was glued to the idea of winning the contest.
Other ways to say: Stuck on it, can’t let go
Fun Fact/Origin: Glue sticks things together.
Usage: Common when someone is totally focused on one thing.
3. It’s like a song stuck in my head
Meaning: A thought that keeps playing over and over.
Example Sentence:
• The scene from the movie was like a song stuck in my head.
• That idea was stuck in my head like a catchy tune.
Other ways to say: Can’t stop replaying, stuck thought
Fun Fact/Origin: Some songs are so catchy they loop in your mind.
Usage: Used when someone keeps thinking about something nonstop.
4. My heart is chained to it
Meaning: Deep emotional attachment you can’t break.
Example Sentence:
• His heart was chained to his favorite toy.
• I feel like my heart is chained to that book series.
Other ways to say: Can’t break free, tied emotionally
Fun Fact/Origin: Chains represent being trapped or unable to move.
Usage: Often used when someone has a strong emotional obsession.
5. My mind is a magnet
Meaning: Always pulled back to the same thought.
Example Sentence:
• No matter what I do, my mind is a magnet for that idea.
• Her mind was like a magnet drawn to the same memory.
Other ways to say: Pulled in, drawn back
Fun Fact/Origin: Magnets attract certain things, just like thoughts pull us back.
Usage: Describes being mentally pulled toward one thing.
6. I’m stuck on repeat
Meaning: Doing or thinking the same thing again and again.
Example Sentence:
• I’m stuck on repeat thinking about the game I lost.
• He’s stuck on repeat, talking about the same story.
Other ways to say: Repeating thoughts, can’t move on
Fun Fact/Origin: Music tracks on repeat play over and over.
Usage: Often used for mental or emotional obsession.
7. It’s a shadow that follows me
Meaning: The thought is always with you.
Example Sentence:
• That mistake is like a shadow that follows me everywhere.
• Her wish to win is a shadow that never leaves.
Other ways to say: Always there, constant thought
Fun Fact/Origin: Shadows never leave unless there’s no light.
Usage: Used when a person can’t stop thinking about something.
8. My thoughts are a broken record
Meaning: Thinking the same thing over and over.
Example Sentence:
• I’m like a broken record talking about that trip.
• His thoughts about her were a broken record in his mind.
Other ways to say: Repeating endlessly, looped thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Old records would skip and replay the same part.
Usage: Used when someone keeps repeating the same idea.
9. I’m glued to the screen
Meaning: Can’t stop watching or paying attention.
Example Sentence:
• I was glued to the screen during the basketball game.
• She’s glued to the screen whenever her favorite show is on.
Other ways to say: Obsessed with watching, can’t stop looking
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from watching TV or phones without looking away.
Usage: Often used for TV, video games, or phones.
10. My thoughts are a tornado
Meaning: Thoughts are wild and spinning around one thing.
Example Sentence:
• When I think about the trip, my thoughts are a tornado.
• His mind was a tornado of ideas about the project.
Other ways to say: Swirling thoughts, can’t calm down
Fun Fact/Origin: Tornadoes spin fast and out of control.
Usage: Used when obsession makes it hard to focus.
11. My brain is a spider web
Meaning: One thought connects to another and you get trapped.
Example Sentence:
• Her brain was a spider web of ideas about her crush.
• His thoughts spun a spider web that kept pulling him back.
Other ways to say: Tangled thoughts, stuck in ideas
Fun Fact/Origin: Spider webs trap things that touch them.
Usage: Describes how obsession pulls you deeper.
12. I’m hooked like a fish
Meaning: You’re caught and can’t let go.
Example Sentence:
• I’m hooked like a fish on that new video game.
• She’s hooked on watching cooking shows every day.
Other ways to say: Addicted, can’t stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Fish get stuck on hooks when they bite bait.
Usage: Used for strong interest that won’t go away.
13. It’s a fire that won’t go out
Meaning: A strong feeling or desire that keeps burning.
Example Sentence:
• His need to win was a fire that wouldn’t go out.
• Her dream of being a singer is a fire inside her.
Other ways to say: Burning desire, can’t be put out
Fun Fact/Origin: Fires need air to keep going, like thoughts need attention.
Usage: Describes strong passions or goals.
14. I’m spinning in circles
Meaning: Going over the same thought again and again.
Example Sentence:
• I kept spinning in circles thinking about what I said.
• She spun in circles worrying about the test.
Other ways to say: Stuck in thought, overthinking
Fun Fact/Origin: When people spin in real life, they lose balance.
Usage: Often used when thoughts feel out of control.
15. My mind is a spotlight
Meaning: Focusing only on one thing.
Example Sentence:
• My mind is a spotlight on the tryouts.
• His brain became a spotlight pointed at his mistake.
Other ways to say: All eyes on it, can’t stop thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: Spotlights shine bright on one spot, ignoring everything else.
Usage: Describes mental focus that blocks out other things.
16. My brain is in a loop
Meaning: Same thought plays again and again.
Example Sentence:
• My brain is in a loop about that argument.
• He’s in a loop thinking about his missed chance.
Other ways to say: Repeating, replaying
Fun Fact/Origin: Loops in music or code repeat forever.
Usage: Describes obsessive thinking.
17. My heart is tied in knots
Meaning: Feeling tangled by strong emotions.
Example Sentence:
• My heart was tied in knots thinking about the big game.
• Her heart was in knots over her favorite singer.
Other ways to say: Confused feelings, mixed up emotions
Fun Fact/Origin: Stress and obsession can cause tight feelings inside.
Usage: Used when obsession creates emotional tension.
18. It’s a bug in my brain
Meaning: A small idea that won’t go away.
Example Sentence:
• That ad is a bug in my brain—I can’t stop thinking about it.
• His mistake is a bug in his brain all week.
Other ways to say: Thought stuck, can’t ignore it
Fun Fact/Origin: In computers, a “bug” causes problems by repeating.
Usage: Used for thoughts that sneak in and stay.
19. It’s like glue on my thoughts
Meaning: Can’t separate from a single idea.
Example Sentence:
• The story was like glue on my thoughts—I kept thinking about it.
• His goal was stuck like glue to his mind.
Other ways to say: Attached thought, stuck idea
Fun Fact/Origin: Glue sticks things together tight.
Usage: Used when someone can’t let go of a thought.
20. My mind is a beehive
Meaning: Busy and buzzing with one idea.
Example Sentence:
• My mind is a beehive buzzing about summer camp.
• Her brain is buzzing like a hive with thoughts of her birthday.
Other ways to say: Crowded mind, busy thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: Beehives are loud and full of motion, like obsessive thoughts.
Usage: Describes a mind filled with the same idea.
21. I’m chasing my own tail
Meaning: Wasting time thinking in circles.
Example Sentence:
• He’s chasing his own tail trying to fix what he already did.
• I keep chasing my own tail thinking about that choice.
Other ways to say: Going nowhere, stuck in thought
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs chase their tails but never catch them.
Usage: Describes being stuck on the same idea.
22. My thoughts are glued to one spot
Meaning: Focused only on one idea.
Example Sentence:
• My thoughts are glued to the spelling bee.
• His brain is glued to what went wrong.
Other ways to say: Locked in, stuck focus
Fun Fact/Origin: Glue keeps things from moving.
Usage: Shows deep mental focus that won’t move away.
23. My brain won’t stop buzzing
Meaning: Too many thoughts about one thing.
Example Sentence:
• My brain won’t stop buzzing about the field trip.
• His head was buzzing all night about the tryout.
Other ways to say: Loud thoughts, busy mind
Fun Fact/Origin: Buzzing is like a sound you can’t ignore.
Usage: Used when obsession causes a noisy, active mind.
24. I’m lost in a maze of thoughts
Meaning: Trapped in thinking that leads nowhere.
Example Sentence:
• I’m lost in a maze of thoughts about what to wear.
• Her brain is a maze of worry about her crush.
Other ways to say: Confused thinking, can’t decide
Fun Fact/Origin: A maze has many turns and is hard to escape.
Usage: Describes how obsession leads to confusion.
25. It’s like a splinter in my brain
Meaning: A small thought that keeps hurting.
Example Sentence:
• That moment was like a splinter in my brain.
• The comment felt like a splinter stuck in his mind.
Other ways to say: Sharp memory, painful thought
Fun Fact/Origin: Splinters are small but painful.
Usage: Used when obsession causes discomfort.
26. I’m like a moth to a flame
Meaning: Drawn to something even if it’s bad.
Example Sentence:
• I keep checking my phone like a moth to a flame.
• She’s drawn to that game like a moth to a flame.
Other ways to say: Can’t resist, pulled in
Fun Fact/Origin: Moths fly into light even if it hurts them.
Usage: Describes being attracted to something strongly.
27. I’m caught in a loop
Meaning: Trapped doing or thinking the same thing.
Example Sentence:
• He’s caught in a loop watching those videos.
• I’m in a loop worrying about my science grade.
Other ways to say: Repeating, stuck on it
Fun Fact/Origin: Loops keep going until something breaks them.
Usage: Used when thoughts go round and round.
28. I’m tied to it like a balloon on a string
Meaning: Always attached, floating with that thought.
Example Sentence:
• My dream of winning is tied to me like a balloon on a string.
• She’s tied to that book like a balloon on a string.
Other ways to say: Can’t let go, stuck with it
Fun Fact/Origin: Balloons float but are tied down by a string.
Usage: Used when someone is emotionally attached to something.
Quiz: Metaphors for Obsession
Instructions: Choose the best meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer.
Question Key
1. What does “My mind is a hamster wheel” mean?
A) I love playing with pets
B) My thoughts are going in circles and won’t stop
C) I’m getting dizzy
2. What does “I’m hooked like a fish” mean?
A) I love going fishing
B) I can’t stop thinking about something
C) I’m swimming too much
3. What does “My brain is glued to it” mean?
A) I made a craft with glue
B) My thoughts are stuck on something
C) I can’t remember anything
4. What does “It’s a fire that won’t go out” mean?
A) My house is on fire
B) I’m angry at someone
C) I have a strong feeling that won’t stop
5. What does “My thoughts are a tornado” mean?
A) My room is messy
B) My ideas are wild and spinning
C) I’m scared of storms
6. What does “I’m like a moth to a flame” mean?
A) I am flying
B) I am drawn to something, even if it’s not good
C) I am scared of light
7. What does “My heart is chained to it” mean?
A) My heart is made of metal
B) I feel locked in a room
C) I feel deeply attached and can’t break away
8. What does “My mind is a spotlight” mean?
A) My brain is bright
B) I’m only thinking about one thing
C) I’m scared of lights
9. What does “It’s a shadow that follows me” mean?
A) It’s always on my mind
B) I’m afraid of the dark
C) I am standing in the sun
10. What does “My brain is in a loop” mean?
A) I’m going on a rollercoaster
B) I’m learning something new
C) I’m thinking about the same thing again and again
Answer Key
- B – My thoughts are going in circles and won’t stop
- B – I can’t stop thinking about something
- B – My thoughts are stuck on something
- C – I have a strong feeling that won’t stop
- B – My ideas are wild and spinning
- B – I am drawn to something, even if it’s not good
- C – I feel deeply attached and can’t break away
- B – I’m only thinking about one thing
- A – It’s always on my mind
- C – I’m thinking about the same thing again and again
Wrapping Up
Obsession can feel strong and hard to ignore. It can take over your thoughts and make it tough to focus on other things. In the USA, people often use simple and clear metaphors to describe this feeling. These phrases help others understand how it feels when your brain won’t stop thinking about one thing.
Metaphors turn big feelings into pictures we can all understand. Next time you’re stuck thinking about something, you might remember one of these. It’s a helpful way to talk about obsession in a way that makes sense—even to kids and adults across America.
