Synecdoche

Synecdoche meaning

Synecdoche (figure of speech) is a part used to designate the whole and the whole to designate a part.

Synecdoche types

— MICROCOSM – A part used to designate the whole is called Microcosm.

Example: All hands on steer.

Here, “all hands” refers to the crew members or team members. i.e., a part or smaller unit is used to imply to represent the “whole team or crew.”

–MACROCOSM – The whole used to designate a part is called Macrocosm.

Example: India won the test match.

Here, India refers to the eleven players of the Indian team.

That is, a whole (India) is used to represent a smaller unit (players).

Try your own Synecdoche.

1. Look in the sentence for objects or ideas.

Example: Check out my new car!

Here, the object is ‘CAR’.

2. Examine if its a part or a whole.

I am going to use wheels instead of car. That is, MICROCOSM – a smaller unit used to represent a whole.

“Hey! Check out my new wheels!”

Sounds more stylish.

Synecdoche uses

Synecdoche can be used in speeches, everyday conversations, movies, songs, plays, dramas, poems etc. It provides us with catchy and interesting phrases. All figures of speech, including Synecdoche, enhance description and create imagery for the reader.

Synecdoche example sentences

Synecdoche	Meaning
Get ready, I am bringing home the bacon.	Bacon refers to salary or paycheck.
Our ancestors wouldn't even have imagined that plastics would be the future to pay bills.	Plastics refers to debit and credit cards.
I am going to ask for her hand.	I am going to ask her to marry me.
The White house must be quick to take the decision.	The White house refers to individuals or members of the United States Government.
All boots on the ground.	Boots refers to soldiers.
The suits are making a visit today.	Suits refers to business people.
He paid too much for his new wheels.	New wheels refers to new car or any new vehicle.
With the power of social media, his news reached the whole ear of India.	Ear refers to the population of India.
Be kind forever and the pearly gate is yours.	Pearly gate refers to Heaven.
Keep stealing, and the thorny, fiery gate is yours.	Thorny, fiery gate refers to Hell.
He is behind bars for the sins he committed.	Behind bars refers to jail/prison.
Sara's got twinkle toes.	Twinkle toes refers that she's a dancer.
We are lucky, our grandfather got a green thumb.	Green thumb - He's good in gardening.
Those threads are awesome.	Threads refers to clothing.
We are eagerly waiting for you to tickle those ivories.	Tickle those ivories - to play the piano keys. [referring to an item by what it is made of, or components of it].
I am sure I know those voices.	Voices refers to the people.
"Keep the change", I said to the waiter.	Keep the balance money.
All hands on deck.	Telling everyone (team) to start their job.
Let me take a final headcount.	Let me count the number of people.
Always ask a gray beard for advice.	Gray beard refers to an old man.
I am going to grab a bite.	Bite refers to a meal.
Never ignore the words of a blue hair.	Blue hair refers to an old woman.
I need tin foil.	Aluminum foil.
You were rocking with those strings.	Strings refers to any string instruments like guitar etc.
Those blades in the museum were huge.	Blades refers to swords. Steel can also be used to refer to swords.
I have hired *hands* to finish the job.	hands - Hired workers.
I miss my glass of bubbly.	Bubbly refers to a glass of champagne.
I would love to take you to the movies tonight.	Movies refers to a single move in a particular theatre.
I gifted her ceramic silverware.	silverware refers to cutlery.
Beware of the lead before taking the move.	lead refers to the bullet.