Pronunciation: [fɹˈə͡ʊzən mˈɛtəfˌɔː] (IPA) 
The term "frozen metaphor" refers to a figure of speech that has become so commonly used that it loses its metaphorical meaning and becomes a standard language. The pronunciation of "frozen metaphor" is /ˈfɹoʊzən ˈmɛtəfɔːr/. The letter "o" in "frozen" is pronounced as /oʊ/ as in "toe" and "go". Whereas in "metaphor", the letter "a" is pronounced as /æ/ as in "cat" and the stress is on the second syllable, /ˈmɛtəfɔːr/.
A frozen metaphor is a figure of speech that derives from a metaphor but has become so commonly used that its original metaphorical nature is lost or forgotten. It refers to a metaphorical expression or phrase that has been so widely accepted and integrated into everyday language that people no longer consider its figurative meaning.
Originally, a metaphor involves making a comparison between two unrelated things or ideas for the purpose of enhancing understanding or creating an impactful image. However, when a metaphor becomes frozen, it loses its connection to its original figurative meaning, and people use it merely as a conventional expression without consciously recognizing its metaphorical roots.
Frozen metaphors often become clichés or idioms that are widely used and understood by the general public. These expressions have embedded themselves so deeply into the cultural and linguistic fabric that their original metaphorical imagery is no longer apparent. For example, phrases like "turning a blind eye," "breaking the ice," or "grasping a concept" are all examples of frozen metaphors that have detached from their original metaphorical significance.
In conclusion, a frozen metaphor is a figurative expression that has solidified over time into everyday language, losing its metaphorical essence and becoming a conventionalized phrase. Although these phrases may originally have been metaphorical, their figurative nature has been forgotten, and they are now used as commonly understood idioms or clichés.
The etymology of the word "frozen metaphor" can be traced back to the late Middle English period. The word "frozen" comes from the Old English word "froren", which means "to freeze" or "become solid". Metaphor, on the other hand, originates from the Latin word "metaphora" and the Greek word "metaphorá", both meaning "transfer" or "carrying over". In the context of language and linguistics, a metaphor refers to the use of words or phrases that go beyond their literal meaning, creating a comparison or association between different concepts. The term "frozen metaphor" was coined to describe a metaphorical expression or figure of speech that has become so widely accepted and used that its figurative nature goes unnoticed or becomes fixed in language usage.
