Which device is characterized by an implicit or explicit comparison not using 'like' or 'as'?

• A. Metaphor
• B. Simile
• C. Irony
• D. Hyperbole

Answer: (A)

Metaphor makes a direct comparison by saying one thing is another, without using like or as. This links two things through a shared quality in a way that asks you to see them as the same in some sense. For example, “Time is a thief” treats time as if it steals from us, making a direct claim rather than a comparison that uses like or as. A simile would say something is like or as something else, such as “Time is like a thief.” Irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant or presenting a contrast with reality, and hyperbole is an exaggeration for effect. So, the described device is metaphor.