They also suggest some interesting contrasts. For example the 'savings account' student steadily accumulates knowledge, whereas no learning will appear to be happening for the 'light bulb' student until the light is switched on. The 'playing cards' student presumably wants all the cards dealt so they can start looking for patterns, but giving the 'detective' student all the relevant information in advance will probably take the fun out of their investigation. The student on a 'quest' needs to discover new things at each step of their journey, while the 'planting flowers' student will want to stay with and continually tend the seed of an idea. Although we obtained the metaphors for learning through asking Clean Language questions, students are speaking in metaphor all the time.
Research shows that everyday conversation makes use of at least four metaphors per minute.
Below are examples of metaphorical expressions which are 'hidden' or 'embedded' in language. I've lost my way. I can't digest all this information. There's not enough in the bank. It's got me beat.