---
title: "no-dead-metaphors"
description: "Flags worn-out metaphors and figures of speech."
sidebar:
  label: "no-dead-metaphors"
  badge: "Hard"
search:
  tags: [rule, static, style]
---

| Property | Value |
| -------- | ----- |
| Kind | Hard rule |
| Engine | `phrase` |
| Tier | `static` |
| Severity | `warning` |
| Intent | `style` |
| Scope | `text` |

:::note
This is a style rule. It reports findings and participates in `--fix`, but never moves the [human-likeness score](/docs/concepts/scoring).
:::

## Why

Orwell's first rule: never use a figure of speech you are used to seeing in print. A dead metaphor no longer calls up an image; it just fills space. State the point plainly.

## Examples

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Column>
    **Flagged**

    The settlement was low-hanging fruit for the plaintiff.
  </Column>
  <Column>
    **Better**

    The plaintiff settled the claim quickly and cheaply.
  </Column>
</Columns>

## Turning it off

```sh
lawlint --disable no-dead-metaphors draft.md
```

Or durably, in `.lawlint/config.json` — see [Configuration](/docs/reference/configuration).