Definition

Noun: 1. A figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression: A "trope" is a word, phrase, or image used in a way that is different from its usual or literal meaning to create a specific effect, such as a metaphor or simile. It is a common device in rhetoric and literature. 2. A common or overused theme or device: In a broader cultural context, especially in film, literature, and art criticism, a "trope" can refer to a recurring theme, motif, or cliché.

Usage Examples

• As a figurative expression:
  • Describing time as "a thief" is a common trope in poetry.
  • The author used the trope of a journey to represent personal growth.
• As a recurring theme:
  • The "chosen one" is a familiar trope in fantasy novels.
  • Critics noted that the film relied heavily on old Hollywood tropes.

Advanced Usage

• "To subvert a trope": To use a common theme or device in an unexpected way that challenges the audience's expectations.
  • The writer is known for subverting classic detective story tropes.

Variants and Related Words

• Tropological (adj): Relating to the figurative interpretation of language, especially of religious texts.
  • The scholar provided a tropological analysis of the parable.

Synonyms

• Figure of speech: An expression used to convey meaning in a non-literal way.
• Metaphor: A specific type of trope that describes one thing as if it were another.
• Motif: A recurring element or idea in a work of art.
• Cliché: An overused trope that may be considered unoriginal.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A tired trope": A theme or device that has been used so often it has lost its impact or originality.
  • The "damsel in distress" has become a tired trope in many action movies.

Noun

1. language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense